HC Deb 19 April 1858 vol 149 cc1266-7
LORD ELCHO

said, he wished to put a question to the First Commissioner of Works, on a subject to which his attention had been called since the last meeting of the House. It had reference to the erection of a clock on the Marble Arch at Cumberland Gate. He had ascertained, by actual inspection, yesterday, that there was on the side of the Arch a paper dial of a clock, with figures duly painted thereon. He wished, therefore, to ask his noble Friend (Lord J. Manners) whether it is his intention to erect a clock on that Arch; whether this is an original idea of his own, or a legacy bequeathed to him by his right hon. Friend opposite (Sir B. Hall); whether his noble Friend knew of any similar instance of a nation thus combining the useful and the beautiful, by putting a clock upon a triumphal arch; and whether the Government considers that it will be desirable to erect a similar clock in the cocked hat of the Duke of Wellington's statue?

LORD J. MANNERS

was understood to say that his noble Friend had asked such a multiplicity of questions, that it was to be regretted he had not placed them on the paper. The right hon. Gentleman by whom he had been preceded in his office had left him no such legacy as that to which his noble Friend had referred. But certain persons, residing in the neighbourhood of Cumberland Gate, had been afraid that an unfavourable effect would be produced by raising a superstructure for a clock on one of the ledges at the side of the Marble Arch. His attention had been directed to that subject; and, in order to ascertain whether the objection which had thus been raised could be met, he had ordered that a paper dial should be put up on that building, leaving the public at largo to decide upon its effect. Of course, in all matters connected with the arts, a great diversity of tastes must prevail; but he could assure his noble Friend that he was not so wedded to his plan that he would not be prepared to accept a better one, if it should be proposed. With respect to any addition to the statue erected in honour of the Duke of Wellington, he could only state that he would never consent to the adoption of any step which would alter the appearance of a monument intended to commemorate the services of that great man.