19 JULY 1930, Page 39

The steady progress of the National Art-Collections Fund; in these

days of crippling taxation and bad trade, is fairly good proof that there are ninny patriotic art-lovers. The twenty-sixth Annual Report issued from Hertford House shows that the 551 members of 1904 had grown last year to 11,439, subscribing at least a guinea apiece. The usual illus- trated catalogue of works acquired for the nation through or with the help of the Fund is more remarkable than ever. It includes the precious portrait of Richard II known as the Wilton Diptych, the Luttrell Psalter, the so-culled " Comoro " but more probably " Vendramin Family " by Titian, a Jacobean panelled room that may have formed part of Bunyan's " House Beautiful " (Houghton, near Bedford), and other very fine things. There is still much for the Fund to do, now that all the remaining great private collections seem doomed to be dispersed. And its first duty is to save the wonderful Psalter and Hours of John Duke of Bedford for

the British Museum. * * * *