§ EARL STANHOPEsaid, on the 2nd of this month he presented a petition from the Trustees of the British Museum, and afterwards gave notice of his intention to call the attention of their Lordships to the subject-matter of that petition on Friday next. His right hon. Friend Mr. Walpole, had also given notice of a similar Motion in the other House. Within the last two or three days the Trustees of the British Museum had been apprised that Her Majesty's Government had in preparation a plan by which it was hoped the present deficiency of space would be supplied. Under these circumstances, it seemed to the Trustees that it would be more respectful and convenient not to raise any discussion until the Government had matured their scheme, and brought it forward. His right hon. Friend, therefore, intended to postpone the discussion in the House of Commons; and, for his own part, although he should have been glad to lay before their Lordships some details relative to the deficiency of space under which the British Museum laboured, he felt that he should best discharge his duty by following the example set by his right hon. Friend, and would not persevere with his Motion.