§ MR. LAMBERTsaid, he wished to ask the First Commissioner of Works, Whether he considers that a considerable number of the pictures in the Turner Room of the National Gallery are creditable either to the national taste or to the national talent; and, whether it is not desirable that they should be removed, to give place to other works of art?
§ MR. AYRTON, in reply, said, he should be very glad to answer the Question of his hon. Friend if he could do so, because he knew that the hon. Gentleman took a great interest in the Fine Arts; but to reply to the inquiry he should make himself arbiter of the national taste and national talent, which would be a difficult post in a country where everybody thought and did as he pleased. His hon. Friend might accomplish the object he had in view if he submitted a Resolution which would elicit the feeling of the House as to whether the pictures he had referred to should be retained or removed. He would then, at all events, have an expression of the good sense of an intelligent Assembly, whatever the national taste may be.