HL Deb 27 June 1861 vol 163 cc1641-3
LORD REDESDALE

rose to move the Appointment of a Select Committee to inquire into the Progress made in the Wall Paintings of the Peers' Robing Room, and to report when the Room will be ready for Occupation; or in what Manner, if the Paintings are not likely to be completed shortly, the Room may be rendered available for the Use of the House during the Sitting of Parliament. He found from a Report presented to the other House of Parliament that so little progress had been made with the paintings in the Robing Room that, unless some pressure were put upon the artist, their Lordships would continue to be deprived of the use of the apartment in question for a long time to come. The first engagement with Mr. Herbert, whom he highly respected for hit talent, was made in 1851. There were to be nine paintings in the Robing Room, for which the artist was to receive £9,000. Of that sum £1,000 was paid in 1851. Although the room had been delivered up for considerably more than three years, there was no certainty as to the time when the pictures would be completed. A Committee of the other House had inquired and reported, and he could see no objection to a Committee of this House, which was much more deeply interested, being appointed. He wished it to be distinctly understood that, except a general complaint of the dilatory progress of the artists, he made no imputation upon them. He desired to consult their convenience, but he thought it not impossible to afford some accommodation to their Lordships while the cartoons were being painted. As not one of the nine paintings was completed, it was obvious that the Peers would never have a chance of getting into the room unless some steps were taken to show a desire on their part for its occupation. The noble Lord concluded by moving the appointment of the Committee.

EARL GRANVILLE

said, he should be very sorry if the appointment of the Committee should be supposed to reflect in the slightest degree upon the artists. It was not sufficient to pay a just tribute to English artists—it was their Lordships' duty to encourage those men who were most likely to carry the reputation of British art to a very high degree. As far as Mr. Herbert was concerned, he had shown a most laudable disinterestedness by refusing magnificent offers to paint pictures for private persons. It was only in 1858 that Mr. Herbert was placed in possession of the room, and 400 feet of painting had been destroyed by his own hand, because, although others were perfectly satisfied, he was not himself satisfied with the result. He believed that it had cost Mr. Herbert more than £3,000, and he thought this a fact very creditable to him. At the same time, it was quite clear that their Lordships ought not to be put to unreasonable inconvenience, and on that account, as well as for the sake of Mr. Herbert himself, it was desirable to appoint the Committee. Entering into the spirit in which the noble Lord had proposed his Motion he should readily agree to it.

Motion agreed to.

Select Committee appointed.

And on the Morrow the Lords following were named of the Committee:—

Ld. Privy Seal. L. Redesdale.
M. Bath. L. Colchester.
E. St. Germans. L. Wynford.
V. Sydney. L. Elgin.
V. Hardinge. L. Overstone.
V. Eversley. L. Taunton.
L. Colville of Culross.

House adjourned at Seven o'clock, till To-morrow, half-past Ten o'clock.