The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-06-21 00:00:00

THE STATESMAN.

Mr. BROUGHAM seeing the Right Hon. Secretary
(Mr. Canning) in his place, wished to ask him whether
there was any truth in the report which he hail seen in
the newlisrers, respecting the Sovereigns of the Holy
Alliance haying withdrawn their Ministers from Stut-
gard ? This removal had originated, it was understood,
in the refusal of the King to suppress certain Newspa-
pers, awl make certain alterations in the Constitution.—
There was a'so another reason, namely—the Protest of
the Wurteruberg Ambassador against the invasion of
Spain.
Mr. CANNING said that his Majesty's Government
could have no knowledge of proceedings to which they
were not parties, either one way or the other. Some ac-
counts had reached them similar to those stated by the
Ili
Hon. and Learned Member in some respects, but dissimie
lar in others. They had, however, received no positive
communication on the subject.
Mr. BROUGHAM took the old principle to be that
nothing Gould happen among foreign powers in which
this country was not more or less interested.
Mr. CANNING said that there were certainly some
transactions among foreign powers in which tbis coun-
try was in some degree a party, and others in which it
WO in no degree a party. He declined to answer the
Hon. and Learned Gentleman more circumstantially, for
jibe made the attempt, he must either go into a great va-
riety of detail, some parts of which rested on a very un-
certain foundation, or take that course which was fair to
all parties.
Mr. BROUGHspectatorAM protested against this country re-
ainin a
m g
of acts so nous to
liberty as thosetame which the All wererui determined togenera en-
-1
force.
Mr. CANNING said, it ought to be observed tbat the
Hon. and Learned Gentleman was assuming the truth of
the facts stated in the foreign papers. The conversation
then dropped.
SCOTCH JURIES.
Mr. KENNEDY moved the second reading of
the Scotch Juries Bill, and commented at some length
on the details of the measure. He contended that from
the manner in which Juries were now empanelled, it was
quite impossible a fair Jury could be had in Scotland.
The adoption of the law of last Session rendered this
measure almost imperative from the power it gave to
the prisoner and the prosecutor. Another objection to
the present system was, that it brought the Judges into
an unseemly contest with the parties.—After a few more
observations be moved the Order of the Day for the se-
cond reading of the Scotch Juries BilL
The LORD ADVOCATE defended the existing sys-
tem, and said that in all bis experience be did not know
one instance of a packed Jury in Scotland. He con-
tended that the manner in which the Juries were consti-
tuted by the different Sheriffs, secured them from el

su,picion of corruption: Being of opinion that no al-
teration was requited in the present laws, he moved as
an amendment that the Bill be read a second time that
day six months.
Mr. 1 P. (WANT supported the original motion.
Mr. PEEL supported the amendment.
Sir JAMES MACINTOSH warmly supported the
-Ordeinal motion. ,
The House then divided, when there appeared—For
the Bill, 47 ; Against it, 42... Majority, 5.
The Bill was then read a second tune, add commit-
ted fur Monday next.
THE LATE KING'S LIBRARY.
The CHA'NCELLOII of the EXCHEQUER rose to
submit a motion relatise to the disposition of the valu-
able library which had been given to the public by hi
Majesty. The House were aware that e suggestion a
to a particular mode had been made by the Committee
which sat upon this subject. It seemed to be agreed
upon all bands, th it it was desirable to provide snit-
able accommodation for so valuable a collection of books.
No place seemed so proper for the purpose as the British
Museum. lie (the Chancellor) had not been a constant
attendant at the Committee, but be understood the prin-
cipal cause fur removing the library, was the inconve-
nience of its present situation at Buckingham House.
But it was impossible that in the present condition of
the British. Museum, accommodation could be made
out for this new library, and it was necessary to come
to Parliament for a grant, for the erection of a new budd-
ing. Of course it would be but doing due honour to
so great a treasure to keep it distinct from the other
collections. The proposition then was, to erect such
a building as would be in character with the future
structure, which was to be raised on the site of the pre.
sent Museum, and that its splendour should be consis-
tent with sound taste; ornamental to this great metro.
polis, and worthy of the nation.—(Hear.) Its plan was
therefore to be governed, less with reference to the pre-
sent building, which would some time or other be pul-
led down, than to the future and more splendid struc-
ture which was to be erected in its stead. The sum ne-
cessary for currying this plan into execution was 4000/.
at least; if that did not suffice for its completion, it-was
as much as Parliament would at present be called upon
to advance. The Right Hon. Gentleman concluded by
moving, that a sum of 49,000/. be pl iced at the dispo-
sal of his Majesty, for the erection of additional build-
ings to the British Museum.
Mr. 110 !MOUSE said that he had conceived an ob-
jection to the transfer of the late King's library from
Buckingham House to the British Museum, from the
moment that a suggestion to that effect was first made.—
He now rose for the purpose of recording his objections,
bat he did so with all deference to the judgment and
taste of the Right Hon. Gentleman who composed the
Committee. He wished it to be understood, however,
that he did not oppose the scheme from views of economy,
for he was sore that the public would be rather munifi-
cent than otherwise in providing suitable accommoda-
tion for so splendid a collection of books.—(Hear.) The
Report to which the Bight Hon. Gentleman alluded had
made no particular allusions to the characters of the
'works; and it might not therefore be amiss here to state
that the books in question were fraught with interest to
the Statesman, Politician, and those who made the Eng-
lish Constitution their study, hiing geographical and to-
pographical essays, surveys 'of Scotland, and orilnawe
surveys of England. An equally valuable collection in
that respect was no where else to be found. No phis
bad been spared in selecting the books ; and it appoared
that his late Majesty hail expended upon it 130,0001. and
'2,000/. a year for fifty years. He was sure that 200,0001.1
would not purchase such a library now. This under-
standing reflected the highest honour on the late King,
who thus rescued his Court from the reflection which had
laid upon it, of being up to that time the only Court 10
Europe which bad nut a Royal library. And the mode.
in which be caused the volumes to be disposed of was
quite worthy of the collection, Nobody could see with-
out pleasure the octagon and other splendid rooms which
were appropriated to the purpose at Buckingham House.
Viewing the place altogether, and how worthy the habi-
tation was of the goes', he should say, that he thought
it a pity that Buckingham House should be stripped of
so valuable an ornament. He was therefore for one,
ready to forego his share to his Alsjesty's generous be-
quest. Besides, the House should not forget the desecra-
tion, if be might say so, to which these apartments might
be converted after having been so long the abode of this
valuable stock of literature. These rooms would, of course,
be appropriated to purposes of state ceremony, and it
tea; rather humiliating to think that the refection of the
mind should be preferred to the medicine of the mind
The octagon was certainly intended for a chapel origi-
nally, but the use to which it was subsequently put was
scarcely less holy. In future, however, we might ex-
pect to see the work of Omar revived, d that any stray
pamphlet, or book which was found arraying about,
would be applied to heat a stove or warm a bath, as was
the fate of valuable books before now at Constantinople.
But before coming to discuss the expediency or inexpe-
diency of sending this library to the Museum, it might
•be well to ask whether or not the King had a right to
dispose of it. He (Mr. II.) would contend, that unless his
Majesty could, by law, sell the books, he could not give
them away to the public. Blackstone had described an
heir-loom of the Crown to be that " which was necessary
to the support of the state and dignity of the Crown."—
This library appeared to he necessary for that purpose,
and therefore, as the King could not sell the library, so
he could not dispose of it. •
Mr. BANKES.—He could sell them.
Mr. HOBHOUSE said he was still disposed to hold a
different opinion. The le.a King had made no will, there
was nothing to manifest his intentions in this respect ; in-
deed, the presumption was that his Majesty intended the
library should be stationary at some of the Royal palaces.
His Majesty. had before given to the British Museum some
valuable manuscripts, and if he intended to bestow these
books, he would have done so at the time. His not giving
them was a presumption, that he did not intend they should
be given. But a mode might be suggested, by which the
present King's wish to give the library to the public,
could be reconciled to the late King's wish to make
it an appurtenance to one of the Royal Palaces. If it
would not be unreasonable to ask his Majesty to add
another favour to the one which he had already granted,
and to leave Buckingham-house for this library to the
public. The other uses to which that building would be
concerted *ere not very important, as with the exception
of one or two drawing-rooms which were held there during
the year, he could see no other great need of it. The si-
uation would be at once desirable, and the late King's
intentions would be totalled. But he would ask what had
Westminster done, that this library should not be left I
there. He knew of no fault it had committed, except in
the choice which it had made of its representatives.—
(Laughing.) Why should that which was called the
Court-end of the town be left without a library, and all
hurried to Great Russell-street? The only reason assigned
for the transfer was, that- a collection of works, tree
Henry the Seventh down to •George the Second, had been
transferred by that Monarch to the British Museum.—
But these works, by being confounded with other books,
had lost all their value. These books would shuts
the same fate, for they would be only left in boxes,
probably put about when in the way .of the work-
men. The British Museum was already Incapable
of containing Sir Joseph Bankes's Library, which
was now waiting to be put into it, and it would seem
that the way in which the inconvenience was to be reme-
died, was by stowing in more books. The greatest ob-
jections to the plan, however, arose from the number of
duplicates. Out of 65,000 volumes, 21,000 were said to
be duplicates ; but he contended that there were 29,000.
He thought it preposterous that a library should be
added at a great expense, containing as It did so many

duplicates. But it was said that dnt of the superfluities
of this, and that of the Museum, a third library might
be made out and completed at an expense of 6,000 or
9,00/. He had no doubt, however, that this new libra-
ry would be also eventually transferred to the British
Museum. The Report stated that there were only
12,000 duplirates,inasmuch as those which were of differ-
ent editions were not accounted duplicates ; but he
(Mr. H.), was of opinion that the number was under-
rated. But if there was an. objection to give tip Buck-
ingham House, the Banyietting loose, at Whitehall,
might be fitted up for the purpose. He had ascertained
that its dimensions were extensive enough for containing
all the books, and it might be fitted np for about 5,11001.
—(Hear, hear, hear.) Its situation, contiguous to the
public Offices, the Law Courts, and both Houses of Par-
Dement, was most convenient ; and it was,.besi les, part
of a Royal Palace, which woud obviate all scruples on
that head. He was aware that the soldiers in the metro-
polis were there marched to Divine Service, but another
place might be made out for that purpose, and it would
be no desecration of the building to apply it to this use ;
for, in tact, this chapel had never been consecrated. I t
was unnecessary :o speak of its architecture, for it Oras,
in fact, one of the greatest ornaments of the metropolis.
Another convenient situation would be the King's M• w 4,
where there was space enough for raising *proper strac-
tare at the same expense that the contemplated one would
cost. It would be finite as Constitutional an use to make
of these buildings as to make them barracks for soldiers.
Besides, it was an important consideration to provide a
place of safety for the Records of the Kingdom, which
were now spread over twelve different depositories. Some
s.f the most valuable portions of Constitutional history
Mere thus left to chance, and in Doctors'-Commons some
Tecords were deposited close to a sugar baker's, and ex-
posed to all the consequences of any accident by fire,
might arise on these preMises.. If a building was raised
at the King's Mews, accommodation might be provided
for those Records. For all these reasons, therefore, the
Hon. Gentleman hoped his Majesty's Ministers would
reconsider this case, before they called upon the House
for this vo'e.
Sir CHARLES LONG thought the greatest possible
advantage would arise from having his Majesty's gift
connected with another great public library, width con-
sisted of 150,000 volumes. The Paris library consisted
of 450,000 volumes, so that ours was a small library
compared with those on the Continent; and it did not
partake of the character of a general library. But the
King's library
.was complete, and would supply the defi-
I ciency of that in the British Museum, particularly with
regard to biography. The greatest advantages then
would arise Irons having those two libraries under one
roof. It was intended to keep this library separate and
distinct from the other books in the British Museum,
there to be designated as the gift of George IV., without
ever adding to or taking away from it. He believed
were his late Majesty now living, it would be his wish
to have this library in the British Museum. It was said
that the library in the British Museum would be out of
the way; but a public library might be too much in the
way ; it-might be made a place of public lounge, and in
his opinion, a retired place was the best for a public
library. If the Chapel at Whitehall were to be applied
to the purpose, It would be necessary to build another
Chapel in the garden of Whitehall. Therefore there
would be an increase instead of a saving of expence.
Ile was sure that, by the proposed plan, the intentions of
his present Majesty would be best carried into effect.
Sir J. MACINTOSH said the British Museum was a
building whit h must be entirely rebuilt. It was not on
the score of expence that his Hon. Friend objected to
that place. For his own part, be would not recommend
the placing of the library in a Palace. With respect to
the legal part of the question, and the right of the King
to give away the library, it was quite clear that the
King was the manager of it, and had the power of
placing it in such a situation as would be most condu-
cive to the instruction of his subjects. It was his opi-
nion that a great national library should be kept toge-
ther in one place, not so much for the use of the general
readers as for the accommodation of studious persons,
who should have occasion to make references to several
books at one and the same time. Ile did not see any
force in the argument of his Honourable Friend that all
the books might be destroyed by one accident. That
was an argument for the architect ; for it would be ne-
cessary, at some future time, to pull down the British
Museum, and erect a building that would be for ever
incombustible. The library at Paris was twice grester
than that of the British Museum, and was this great
lettered nation to be without a great public library, cor-
responding to its situation iu the world ? IVe had long
rivalled France in almost every thing, and surely we
should try to equal her in a great national establishment
like this. He had an insuperable objection to a separate
library; to found a library without a constant endowment
would be nothing, and he was sorry to say that Parlia-
ment had stinted and starved the establishment of the
British Museum, by the smallness of the sums voted for
keeping up the necessary. stock of literature. The Hon.
Member for the University of Oxford had stated before
a Committee of that House, that it would require 5001.
a year to keep up the stock of a private library, while
only 3001. a year was allowed to the British Museum.
He hoped then that the House would in (more be more
generous to this great establishment. He lamented the
determination of the Committee to rebuild this edifice on
the present site: that building was to contain a national
library, and be a depository for works of art. A library
ought to be as secluded as •possible, while works of art
ought to be open to the inspection of all, even of the
idle. For the latter object, he thought Great Russell-
street the worst place that could be selected. He
thought such an establishment ought not only to be
distinguished for its architectural splendour, but also to
be in the most conspicuous situation. London was the
greatest, and at the same time the least magnificent ca.
pital in the world. Its great monuments of art did not
strike the eye of strangers, and bore no proportion to
the wealth and population of the, kingdom. It would,
be found that private patronage, so far from being ser-
viceable to the arts, absolutely corrupted them. In this
country, where the art of painting was patronized, not
by the Government, but by private individuals, that art
was degraded. To be sure, a Reynolds and a Lawrence,
in condescending to follow the branch of portrait paint-
ing, might exhibit those traits of genius which it was
to be lamented were not applied to higher subjects; yet,
in thus applying themselves, they might be considered,
as exiles from that pursuit to which the dire' Este of their
minds urged them. Architecture could never flourish
in this or any country, except by the patronage of
the State. It was peculiarly a political art, as it were,
which could only exist by the encouragement of the
Government. Ile did not know whether his fancy was
too aspiring, but he was daring enough to hope that his
Majesty would add to his munificent gift by a grant of
site for a Royal library between Hyde Park Corner and
Buckingham-House.
Mr. LENNARD concurred entirely with the Report.
Mr. R. COLBORNE said lie concurred also in the
Report; but be viewed with particular satisfaction that
part of it which recommended the erection of a uniform
building. He was also delighted to find that when that
building was begun, the foundation stone of a national
gallery of pictures would be laid. This was the only
country which did not contain such an institution.
Mr. CROKER must say that he could never agree in
any proposition for erecting a national gallery in such a
place as the British Museum. He owned he was union.
fur one library only, but he was also anxious that afi
and proper place should be chosen, wortbv of being a re
cepeaele of so splendid a collection of boas. Be wont

:rase the choke, however, of a site to those persons who
would he, from their situations, responsible for the state
of the arts. Hs would state to the Committee why hs
was indisposed to place any confidence in the persons
who had the superintendence of the British Museum
He begged to state, that he entertained the greatest re-
spect for the private ch mutters of those gentlemen. The
Hou. Member, after noticing the origin of the British
Museum, said, that with the exception of an old house in
Chancerydane, once inhabited by the celebrated Isaac
Walton, there was not. in the metropolis a more com-
bustible edifice than the British Museum. No in•
surance office in the county wottld be bold mush •
to insure it from fire at arty inducement. Vet
under the roof of that urinous building were lodged
the most magnificent and most valuable collection of ma.
nosmipts which this country could boast of. Any ' o y
who visited the British Museum, and surveyed It: co"- •
struction, would no doubt be remi tide I of the savinie of
Lord Ness's under very auxioos circumstance:. H s
Lordship landed at Copenhagen at the moment of a ye 'yr
heavy engagement, for the purpose of effectino a.l maids.
tier. On being shown up s'Airs its a Insti.e in lie ci
lie turned about to Captain Bury, who accompanied
and said, significantly, " Berry, tlisse stairs will hum '
He who set foot in the British Museum, must likewi e •
say to himself when lie came to the stairs, " these stairs
will burn." However (multipart! the lion. Seete'ars),
they do at last set about building an incombsstible wino
ti the Museum. But what do you think they put tuts t
—the valuable manuscripts? No; they Must be ma -
bles.—(A laugh) Su that it was .atisfactory to knaw
that whatever dangers attended the r utographs of Eliz
beth, of Janes, of Bacon, of Clarendon, t Iraq we co..'d
be cretain that the Townly Venus was in security.—
(1 a ighter.) But this was not all. resting. as these
Gentlemen did, that the pros trvation of the Townlv Ve-
nus was of all importance, they build a sort of a thing
not unlike the shape of the Speaker's chair, which they,
in their scientific language, denominate, I believe, a ves•
tibule. but which, I am sure, people of oithisiry capaci-
tes will call—a closet.--(Lasgliter.) But, usfortunatsly.
this closet is not spacious enough, and what do they do ?
They build another—(a laugh)—and deposit there a
piping faun. The second closet is found too sultan, and
to mend matters, they build another. I very much fear,
however, that after all, this is but a fair specimen of our
national has e. 1 remember in an old satirical poem, in-
tended to exhibit our notions of luxury and refitted liv-
ing, the author thus procetds—
" So when some cit his dull invention racks,
To rival Boodle's dinners, or Almaek's"—
(for Gentlemen should remark, that in those days people
dined at Almaels's)
"Three smoking legs of mutton str:k t your eyes.
Three smokiug geese—ll ree buttered aside pies."
(A laugh.) So that the gentleinen of the Museum fur-
nished us with their receipt fur magnificence in three
closets—three closets—three closets.—(A laugh.) But
this being their idea of magnificence, where do you think
they got their taste. All mankind would think of
Greece or Route. The Museum people have recourse to
Egypt.—(Laughter.) Inspired by the work of Ilerodo-
tus, they erase not until they hare at length obtained the
head of Memnon. But, alas! the head of Memnon is
too large for the three clo:ets.—(Laugliter.) Well, they
build a cube—asd they cube a cube until they base a
double cube in succession after the clo-ets.—(Laughter )
Here, then, between closets and cubes, the student has
exhibited to him, in regular series, a course of niatbes
maties—first a square—next a parallelogram —then au
octagon—and, lastly, a cube.—(Laughter.) Now 3lens-
non, as I said before, being too large for the closets of
the cube, the Gentlemen of the Museum raise the roof
for the esi ecial purpose of accommodating it. They then
build a gallery, which, lest it might be convenient for its
length and width, they must divide into compartments.
In short, you are surprised at seeing one part until you
come to inspect the other—
Each seem quite monstrous till his fellow comes
To match it.
The effect was too ludicrous, the total absence of taste and
arragement too striking in every apartment—
Room nods to room, each fault reflects his brother,
And half the blunder just looks out in to'othere
(Loud laughter.)-1 think, Sir, said the Honourable
Gentleman, that a great doubt should be entertained of
the architect in the employment of these Gentlemen. if
there bc any of these Gestlemsn olio are of opinion that
this Pill-box style of architecture should be continued,
it is an additional reason why yon should rot leave this
property under their controul. These are my reasons for
not placing any confidence in the Gentlemen of the Bri-
tish Museum. 'The Honourable Member suggested that
there should he omitted in the Bill the mention of the
place.
Mr. BANKES said tLat the Hon. Gent. had not been very
scrupulous in his statement of facts. It must have been a
long time since the Hon. Gentleman visited the Museum, for
his description of that building did not at all answer to its
actual state. Now, the staircase to which the lion. Gentle_
man applied the anecdote of Lord Nelson to Captain Berry,
happened to be of atone instead of wood, seas extremely
handsome, and of singular architecture, being supported on
half an arch. With regard to the site of the library, he
thought it ought be central, and he therefore disapproted of
Whitehall and the Green park. One was too nenr the river,
and the other was at the extreme end of the town. If the
lion. Gentleman thought the present site of the library in
Great Russell-street was not central, it was rather strange
that no less than 2,000 persons now sisited it in one day.
He would have no objection to consent to the proposed
change in the hours of sisiting the library. The lion. Gen-
tleman said the library was combustible; but the regula-
tions against tire were so good; that there was not the slight-
est danger. On the whole, he thought a better site could
not selected. Ile wished the librar es should be on ted,
though not mixed, because In a great capital like London,
there should he one national library Its complete as possible.
Sir C. LONG, as Chairman of the Committee, defended
its conduct, and said his Hon. Friend must have been misin-
formed upon what occured in it.
Mr. CROKER, in explanntion, disclaimed the intention
of any personal attack on the lion. Member for Curie Cestie,
Mr. GE BENNET said that, whatever difference existed
as to tastes, he hoped the plan of the library would not be
left to those architects who built the palace at Brighton--a
building which was entirely out of character with the taste
of the age. Who could look at the white-washed walis et
the House of Lords. and think of leaving the plan of any
national building to Government? Ile could also instance
the Courts of Law, which were so small, that none could sit
there but those who wore black gloves ; and the glass edi-
fices in that street called Regent street. As in Paris, we
should have more than one library. There should be s li-
brary for Members of Parliament and what was called the
Court end of the town. He would recommend that the du-
plicates should be purchased, and a library made of them It
this end of the town.
Mr. HENRY GURNEY said he cordially concurred io
the vote.
Mr. MABERLY said, if the money was left at the
disposal of the trustees, he did not think a building wousl
be erected of that kind which would do credit to the

nation.
Mr. HOBBOUSE said he consented to withdraw the
amendment, and would cote for the proposition of the Hoy.
Member opposite.
Mr. W ILBERFORCE said he hoped there would be now
no difference of opinion on the grant, and that more use
might be allowed for the consideration of the plan.
Mr. CItOKER then moved as an amendment, "That a
sum, not exceeding 40,0001. be granted towards deflyie!
the expences of erecting a suitable building fora national
library, to he the depository of his Majesty's donation.
Mr. HUNIE said be thought the proposition of the Boa.
Member for Abingdon was the best ; a new building shoold
be erected, or the money would.be wasted.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER ezPlailled*