Lords Sitting of 25 March 1886

MINUTES.
PUBLIC BILLS—First Reading—Consolidated Fund (No. 1)*; Lunacy (Vacating of Seats)* (47).
Second Reading—Local Government (Ireland) Provisional Order (Fermoy)* (32).

THE NATIONAL MUSEUMS—EVENING OPENING.—RESOLUTION.
LORD DENMAN, in rising to call attention to the two majorities of the House for opening Museums on weekdays and for opening them in the afternoons of Sundays; and to move a Resolution, said, the proposal for opening Museums on week-days was formerly an alternative for opening on Sundays, but had now been carried unanimously, whilst that for opening Museums on Sundays was carried by a small majority. It appeared, however, that the South Kensington Museum was now opened three nights on week-days and lighted up all the year by electric light, and the pictures, including the cartoons of Raphael, were glazed and air excluded from them. A short visit that morning had given him much pleasure, and a short time on Sundays might suffice; whilst the Bishop of Peterborough's invitation to all classes to enter their churches might be acted upon, especially as in the afternoons there was much room in them. The reading room of the British Museum was open till 8 o'clock in summer and winter, to these who had tickets of admission; the other parts were closed according to the duration of daylight. He was sure that Sunday was more happily spent in family visiting than in Museums. His lamented Predecessor would not belong to Brooks's Club, because he said it would prevent his visiting his aged mother. He (Lord Denman) apologized to their Lordships for detaining them; but, as it was the only Notice on the Paper, he might be excused.
Moved to resolve,
"That it would be expedient that museums should be opened by daylight only, and should be closed during the time of afternoon Divine Service, on Sundays."—(The Lord Denman.)
On Question, Resolved in the negative.
House adjourned at a quarter before Five o'clock, till To-morrow, a quarter past Ten o'clock.