§ MR. SERJEANT SIMONasked the First Commissioner of Works, If he would state to the House when Mr. Herbert, R.A., received his commission to paint a companion picture to the "Moses Delivering the Tablets of the Law" in the Peers' Robing Room; what is the sum he is to receive; what money on account has been paid to him; what are the dates of such payments; and, what progress has Mr. Herbert made with the work?
LORD HENRY LENNOX, in reply, said, the picture had been ordered in 1866, and the sum to be paid was £4,000. Since that time Mr. Herbert had received three instalments of £1,000 each. When he received the last in- 1515 stalment the work was three-fourths finished. Mr. Herbert then moved from one studio to another, and in the course of the transmission of goods from one studio to the other the picture was so seriously injured that this distinguished artist had to put it by and begin to paint another. The hon. and learned Gentleman he (Lord Henry Lennox) was sure would agree with him that it did not behove his Office to be too severe with regard to time. He might say that Mr. Herbert had, within the last year, rendered him much valuable time and service with regard to the preservation of the frescoes in that House, and he had rendered these services gratuitously. He hoped that towards the close of the year, notwithtanding all these delays, the work of this great artist would be completed.