HL Deb 30 June 1865 vol 180 cc969-71
LORD EBURY,

in presenting a Petition of Patrons, Presidents, and Officers of the Early Closing Association, and of Working Men of Islington, for the Opening of Public Museums, &c, in the Evenings, for the Benefit of the Working Classes, praying that the recommendation of the Committee of 1860 might be carried into effect in reference to the opening of the British Museum and other National Collections three evenings in the week betwen the hours of seven and ten o'clock, said, that the Petition was signed by two right rev. Prelates and a number of noblemen and gentlemen, who were, in fact, the authors of the early closing movement, and its prayer was that the Public Museums, such as the National Gallery and the British Museum, should be open three evenings in the week, in order that persons whose employments allowed them no other opportunities might be able to enjoy the benefits of those collections. Their Lordships, he was sure, would be among the first to appreciate the benefits of early closing, and since Parliament had declared that it would not take any step to open these Museums on Sundays they were in duty bound to attend to the prayer of the Petitioners, and endeavour to give them an opportunity to visit the Museums in the evening. He wished to ask his noble Friend the President of the Council whether the Government, or those persons who had the requisite authority, could hold out any hope that the reasonable request of the Petitioners would be complied with.

EARL GRANVILLE

said, that in the only Museum with which he was connected—the South Kensington Museum—steps had been taken to open it in the evening. Further alterations, however, in lighting and in ventilation were necessary before the experiment could be said to be successful. Large numbers of persons had partaken of this privilege, the greater portion of whom were composed of artizans and working men from all parts of the metropolis. With regard to the National Gallery, Sir Charles Eastlake had informed the Government that no answer could be given at present, as the matter was still before the Trustees. As to the British Museum, Mr. Panizzi had informed him that the subject had been frequently considered by the Trustees, that Mr. Braidwood, the late Superintendent of the Fire Brigade, had been consulted, who expressed his opinion that the risk from the gas and other lighting arrangements necessary to open the museum in the evening would be very great. Considering the valuable contents of the Museum great care and consideration ought to be exercised before any such risk was run This objection was entirely independent of the increased cost caused by the increased staff which would be necessary, which, of course, would not weigh against a commensurate advantage to the public.

THE DUKE OF CLEVELAND

said, that in several foreign Museums no light was ever allowed to be used.

EARL STANHOPE

said, as one of the Trustees of the British Museum, he was able to state that the question of opening the Museum at night had been several times under the consideration of the Trustees. The object was very desirable, but the objection with regard to the risk by fire was represented to them to be very considerable. It, however, remained to be considered whether by any means that danger could be effectually averted. Be- sides the question of risk from fire, there was the question of expense. The object could not be carried out, as their Lordships must perceive, without a considerable increase of the Estimate. There must be a considerable addition to the present number of attendants, or the present attendants must be paid a proportionate increase for the extra labour that would be cast upon them.

LORD EBURY

thought there would be no detriment to the pictures in the National Gallery from their being shown by gaslight. The pictures in the Academy had been shown in the evening, and no complaints had been made.

EARL STANHOPE

said, that the pictures at the Academy were only shown for a portion of the year, and as the time was so short the gaslight did not prove prejudicial; but if the pictures in the National Gallery were thrown open they would be subjected to the same influences year after year, so that no decisive argument could be drawn in the one case from what had happened in the other.

Petitions to lie on the table.