A meeting was held on Saturday, at the Thatched houseTavern,
to receive the report of a Committee appointed at a former meeting to communicate with Government on the subject of throwing open various public buildings and institutions to the inspection of the people gratis. Mr. Ewart was in the chair ; supported by Lord Worsley, Dlr. Wyse, Mr. Smith O'Brien, and Sir Harry 'Verney. From the report it appeared, that the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's have so far complied with the application made to them by Lord John Russell, as to order that " On week days, those who enter freely during divine service shall not, as heretofore, be driven nut at its conclusion, but remain if they please the remain. der of the clay. The Canon Reeidentiary has also promised one hour each week- day additional free entrance. The fee is, however, still levied on those who enter at other times whilst no service is being performed. For two or three Sundays St. Paul's was left open the whole afternoon ; but on the complaint of the Senior Verger (who receives one-fourth of all entrance-fees) that a prodi- gious crowd of .feshionable loungers,' by walking along the floor, made a noise that interfered with divine service, to the indignation of some pious persons, this Sunday admission is again restricted to the hours of service."
The report proceeds to state the result of other applications-
" We have learnt with regret that the Dean of Westminster declines to ac- cede to the wishes of the Queen as communicated by the Miuister of State. " The President of the Royal Academy waited on Lord John Russell, and endeavoured to persuade his Lordship that, although located in a national edi. five, that society, being strictly of a private character, ought to be excepted from the proposed regulations, so properly recommended for other national esta. blishments. The President has since printed and circulated the purport of his observations.
" Application has since been made to the President for returns of the num- ber of students sent by that institution to Rome, Re. (that being the object of paramount claim on the country.) The return was promised for October, but is expected.
" On the subject of the Tower of London, much correspondence has taken
place between Mr. Hume, General Sir Hussey Vivian, Lord John Russell, and with the Duke of Wellington, who is averse to any change of regulations in that fortress. The Board of Ordnance, in consequence of his Grace's remon- strance, thinking there might be some iuconvenience attending the unrestricted exhibition of a quantity of fire-arms, instead of free admission recommend a re- duction of fee frowns. to Is. It has been explained that all anxiety may be set at rest by continuing the fee on the exhibition of modern implements of war; while the objects of national interest, such as the historical records, the horse armoury, and the trophies won at the defeat of the Spanish Armada, are thrown open to the public.
" Lord John Russell still declares this subject to be open to consideration."
The Dean and Chapter of Norwich have agreed to open the Cathedral of Norwich for an hour each day in addition to the hours of divine service. The Bishop of Bath and Wells informed Lord John Russell that his cathedral was at all times open to the public, and no fee required. An answer is promised from the Dean of Chichester. A petition is to be presented to Parliament from the Town. Council of Edinburgh, praying that the Regalia of Scotland and other ekhibitions of objects having a national interest might be open to the public without fee. It was stated that the Turkish Ambassador was recently refused admission to Edinburgh Castle because unprovided with a shilling ticket ; though bearing a letter from the Home Secretary.
A committee was appointed for the furtherance of the objects the meeting had in view ; and thanks were voted to Lord John Russell for his ready assistance.
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