Lord Broughamheld in his hand a petition, most numerously and respectfully signed, in which the petitioners stated that the frequent contemplation of works of art, ready access to objects of literary interest, and of natural history, together with facilities for obtaining information on all matters connected with literature, science, and the fine arts, tended in the highest degree to elevate the character of a nation, and to improve the morals of all classes. The petitioners begged to call the attention of their Lordships to the fact, that the apprehensions entertained of injury to the contents of the National Gallery and the British Museum, from the recently increased facilities of access, had proved unfounded. The petitioners prayed that enlarged facilities should be granted to the public in visiting St. Paul's, Westminster Abbey, the Tower, and the Gallery in Trafalgar-square. The noble and learned Lord presented a petition from the Literary and Scientific Institution of Poplar to the same effect.
§ Lord Hathertoncould not allow the petition to pass without saying a few words upon the subject, which he was glad had at last been taken up. The people of this country had always, as regarded the public institutions and works of art, been in a disadvantageous position when compared with other countries. It was a disgrace to Government and Parliament, that such disadvantages should exist—tending, as the admission to all the institutions would do, to promote refinement. Had any bad results or any inconvenience whatever arisen from the admission of the public to the British Museum? When first it had been proposed to give the public free admission to the British Museum, it was feared that the collections contained therein might suffer injury. The same was said when it was proposed to admit 1711 the public to St. James's Park. But all these apprehensions had proved unfounded, and the people had conducted themselves in the most unexceptionable manner when admitted to those places. He recollected that in 1824, he had taken a part in erecting a monument to one of the most distinguished men this country had produced, the late Mr. Watt. The monument erected to his memory was executed in his best style by Sir Francis Chantry, and when it was proposed that it should be placed in Westminster Abbey, where it would be shut up from the view of the public, he recollected that some dissatisfaction was excited, and that the amount of the subscriptions was lessened by that circumstance. He thought that free admission should be given to St. Paul's, Westminster Abbey, a part of the Tower, the National Gallery, and other institutions. Such institutions should be shown for two days in the week gratuitously, and that on other days a charge might be made for admission.