§ The House went into Committee of Supply.
§ Sir R. Peel, in rising to propose the vote for the support of the British Museum, could not help expressing his persuasion that the House must observe with great pleasure the increasing interest felt in this great institution, and he could not but think that the hon. Members composing the Committee, among whom was the hon. Member for Kilkenny, would agree with him that the Committee enjoyed a most agreeable sight, when quite unexpectedly they passed through the rooms of the Museum, and remarked the great numbers of persons who were taking a calm and rational delight in the various objects of curiosity presented in the Museum. The right hon. Baronet moved that a sum of 27,469l. be granted to provide for the expenses of the British Museum.
§ Mr. Humefully concurred with the right hon. Baronet in the account he had given of the interesting spectacle the committee had witnessed in their visit to the British Museum, and contended, that the principle of opening public institutions and buildings for the free acess on one day in the week or more ought to be carried further than at present. He had reason to think, that the trustees of various provincial museums were about opening them to the public generally, and he did not see why the same thing should not be practised generally. He could not refrain from mentioning the gratification with which he observed the material increase which had taken place in the number of persons frequenting the reading-room of the British Museum. In the year 1825 the number of readers was 3,800, but last year they amounted to no 728 fewer than 69,913. He expected the greatest possible public advantage from this free use of the library. With regard to the other part of the Museum, he did think, that after service on Sundays it might be set open for the rational enjoyment of the people with very great advantage.
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequeradmitted the importance of acquiring the two collections that had been alluded to, and he thought it highly desirable to keep the public opinion in favour of grants of this kind. He had not any fears of opposition from either side of the House when votes for objects of this kind were concerned, for he knew that the House would always be ready to give the most liberal assistance to the Government in carrying such objects into effect. He thought, however, that there was one inconvenience in prospective discussions of this kind for which a strong opinion was expressed by the House in favour of those collections—it had the effect of raising the market against them in their capacity of purchasers. He had the highest respect for the names attached to the memorial, and should give the subject the consideration which it deserved.
§ Sir R. Peelsaid, with respect to the time of admission the Committee had made very liberal arrangements. They had opened the Museum on Easter and Whitsun weeks, and had given the public great additional facilities in other respects. The Museum was at present open to the public during three days in each week. Now it should be recollected, that there were two objects to be kept in view; one was, the admission of the public, and the other, to give scientific persons the opportunity of improving themselves, free from the bustle which was inseparable from a crowded attendance. For this latter object two days were set apart, namely, Tuesday and Thursday, and the remaining day, Saturday, was set apart for the purposes of cleaning. With respect to an additional day, and to appointing admission on Sundays, he had a strong opinion on that subject. He would not disturb the unanimity that prevailed by expressing that opinion; but he thought as one reason against that proposal, that the officers of the establishment required that day for rest. He considered, that the interest taken by the humbler classes of the people in collections of this kind was not only 729 calculated to promote the moral and intellectual improvement of the people, but to increase and strengthen their attachment to their country. The right hon. Baronet warmly concurred in the importance of securing to the public the two collections that had been alluded to, for if the opportunity was lost it might never occur again. He hoped, also, that the right hon. Gentleman opposite (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) would take into consideration the state of the buildings, and see, that it would be the best economy to bring them to a state of completion as soon as possible.
§ Vote agreed to.