§ MR. DILLWYN, in putting the Question of which he had given notice to the 392 Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education, said, that on one day last week the whole of one sheet of The Times was filled with an advertisement of a catalogue of books, apparently published by authority, and as this only extended as far as the letters "Al," the publication, if continued, would evidently occupy some time. He would therefore beg to ask the noble Lord, Whether the publication by advertisement of an Universal Catalogue of Art Books, compiled by the Science and Art Department at South Kensington, the First Part of which appeared in The Times newspaper of the 8th instant, has been duly authorized; and, if so, what is the object of publishing the said Catalogue by means of newspaper advertisements; what is the estimated cost of publishing such Catalogue in this form; and, whether it is intended to publish it in any other form?
§ LORD ROBERT MONTAGUsaid, in reply, that the hon. Member had asked four Questions, which he would endeavour to answer fully. The publication of an Universal Catalogue of Art Books, compiled by the Science and Art Department at South Kensington, had been authorized by the late Government; on that subject he would read a portion of a Treasury Minute, dated October 12, 1865—
With the object of providing against an imperfection of continual recurrence such as the foregoing"—i.e., omissions consequent on the daily increase of the library—"and for other considerations, my Lords have ordered the compilation of a catalogue on a basis altogether new. It is proposed that the new catalogue shall include not only the books in the library, but all books printed and published at the date of the issue of the catalogue that could be required to make the library perfect—that is, to compile an universal record of printed art books which are known to exist up to that period, wherever they may happen to be at the time.That was the Minute authorizing the collection and publication of an Universal Art Catalogue. The next step taken was in February, 1866, when a Committee was appointed to advise the Privy Council as to the best means of carrying out the objects stated in the Minute. That Committee of Advice included the names of Sir John Acton, Mr. Cavendish Bentinck, Mr. Gregory, Mr. Beresford Hope, Mr. Layard, Sir Henry Rawlinson, Mr. Henry Seymour, Sir John Simeon, Mr. Stirling, Mr. Tite, and a great many other noblemen and gentlemen. The hon. Member asked as to the object of publishing the catalogue in The Times. If it were published in the form of a book there would 393 be many inaccuracies, a great number of editions would be required, and, after all, the number of persons reached by each of those editions would be exceedingly limited. Whereas by being published in The Times it at once gained a circulation of 65,000, it passed into the hands of persons all over the world, and learned men in every quarter of the globe would have their attention called to it in the most effectual manner; and, observing inaccuracies or deficiencies in the catalogue, would be led at once to forward notes of additions or corrections. That was the object of publishing it in The Times. The hon. Member also asked what would be the cost of the publication. That was determined by a Minute of February last, which he would read to the House—Read Mr. Mowbray Morris's letter offering to insert the Universal Art Catalogue, at the rate of £11 per column, in The Times newspaper, instead of £20, a usual charge. It is estimated that the cost of printing the whole catalogue will be about £5,000, to be spread over three years. This is a low charge, and insures the circulation over the world of 65,000 copies.The estimate was made upon this basis:—30,000 entries, at eighty in a column, would make 375 columns, say 380 columns, at £11; that would be equal to £4,180. To this must be added £750 for corrections and proofs, which were not usually done in advertisements, making the total £4,930. But of this amount £2,400 would be returned to the public, because that would be the amount of newspaper stamps due to the additional advertisement sheets. The balance, therefore, of £2,530 would be the estimated cost, provided the whole were published; and would represent the payment to The Times for the composition, paper, printing, and benefit of its extensive circulation. As to the last question, whether it was intended to publish the catalogue in any other form, the decision on that point would remain with the Lord President at the time when the catalogue was completed, which might not take place till four or five years hence.
MR. GLADSTONEThe noble Lord spoke of a sum of £2,400 charged as a stamp duty upon advertisements. Following out the calculation of the noble Lord, I would ask what is the present amount of stamp duty upon advertisements?
§ LORD ROBERT MONTAGUsaid he could not tell the right hon. Gentleman. He obtained his information at his Office before he came down to the House. [An 394 hon. MEMBER: There is no stamp duty.]£2,530 was the sum which, it was estimated, would be repaid to the public in the shape of stamps upon advertising; as this would double the sheets.
§ MR. GREGORYsaid, his name had been mentioned as serving upon the Committee of Advice. The circumstances were totally unknown to him, and he believed the Members of that Committee had no idea this large expenditure was to take place. He wished to inquire whether the noble Lord would postpone for the present the further publication of these advertisements, until the House had an opportunity of thoroughly considering the case, or whether the agreement entered into forbade the possibility of doing so?
§ MR. BERESFORD HOPEsaid, finding himself also implicated in this extraordinary publication, he wished to say a word in explanation. Committees were appointed and were not attended, and then Members found themselves shown up to the world in this ridiculous aspect.
§ LORD ROBERT MONTAGUsaid, that if the hon. Member for Galway (Mr. Gregory) would give notice of his Motion he should be happy to answer it.