§ MR. D. GRANTasked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether he will take into his consideration the advisa- 1605 bility of lighting the National Gallery, so as to allow our great collection of pictures to remain open to the public until 10 o'clock at night every week day throughout the year?
§ MR. SHAW LEFEVRESir, the responsibility for deciding as to lighting the National Gallery by night rests, in a great measure, with its Trustees, and I could not take any steps without their approval. It would certainly not be desirable to light it with gas. The Collection is far too valuable to justify the Trustees in exposing the pictures to any damage from the vitiated atmosphere, or from the risk of fire. With respect to the electric light, I do not think we have yet sufficient experience as to the best system of lighting, or as to its merits or defects, to justify me in advising the Trustees on the subject. I may add that I am carefully watching the improvements which are constantly being made in the system of electric lights with a view to its adoption in some others of the public buildings.