MR. DANBY SEYMOURSir, in order to make my question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer intelligible, I beg to call attention to the following statement which is dated on Saturday last, that appeared in the Times newspaper:—
On visiting the National Gallery this morning I found Messrs Thwaites and Seguier, with two familiars, absorbed in polishing off the Boar Hunt,' by Velasquez. As we have but recently been assured, upon authority which it would be impertinent to question, of the experience and ability' of the parties who closely and constantly superintend' and perform the business of this model institution, I thought I might derive some advantage by staying to witness the ceremony. A bucket of warm water was standing on the floor. I saw a sponge saturated with this water passed over the surface of the 'Boar Bunt,' somewhat in the manner a housemaid would apply the same liquid to a floor. The picture was then vigorously rubbed with a singularly ragged cloth, as coarse as a common house-cloth. The ceremony terminated with the application of a silk handkerchief. I next saw Mr. Seguier wash the' Woman taken in Adultery' by Rembrandt. He first freely wetted it all over, and then dried it with a handkerchief. The bucket of warm water was now carried to Turner's Sea Piece. To this, also, after it had been sufficiently wetted, the curiously ragged house-cloth was administered and with such furious energy that, although I was at this time standing by Bellini's Doge,' at the opposite angle of the room, I distinctly heard—and at double the distance might have heard—a harsh grating noise, produced by the violent friction of this cloth against the coarse canvass and rough texture of the picture.This statement was published in the Times by a distinguished lover of art, and an accurate judge of questions of this kind, and he was willing to prove it on oath if necessary. Another gentleman who accompanied him was also witnesss of the transaction. I now beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Government will give orders that, until the Select Committee shall have reported to the House on the National Gallery, no cleaning of the pictures therein contained, except careful dry dusting, shall he permitted?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUERI did not become cognisant of 807 the circumstances to which the extract refers that has been just read by the hon. Gentleman, until I was made acquainted with them through his question. The House is aware that it is the pleasure of Parliament that the direct management and control of the National Gallery should not be under the care of the Government, but should be administered through the instrumentality of a body of trustees. I have not had an opportunity of making myself master of the circumstances, but I shall order an inquiry to be made, to enable me to do so, and I hope on an early day—probably on Monday—I may be able to give a full answer to the question.