THE SOULAGE COLLECTION.
" A number of noblemen and gentlemen," it is stated, " representing almost all the great interests of art and manufacture in the Metropolis and the Provinces, have just imported into this country, at their own risk, M. Soulage's collection of Italian art of all kinds-bronzes, pottery, furniture, &c. ; possessing unique examples of the artists of the sixteenth century, Michael Angelo, Pisani, Cellini, Maestro Giorgio, Ste." The object is one not of private profit but of general advantage. It is intended to offer the collection to Government at cost price only, on the under- standing that, if' declined, the works will be disposed of by public auc- tion, and the profits applied in some form for the promotion of art. In the first instance, however, the collection is to be exhibited, and public opinion as to its value brought to bear upon Government, so that the question of purchasing may be thoroughly considered ; the offer being, it is understood, accompanied with the condition that the works shall be exhibited next year among the art-treasures at Manchester. The posi- tive worth, which is not necessarily coincident with the celebrity of the collection, remains of course to be pronounced upon when it is exhibited ; but the object, as set forth, is assuredly altogether laudable, and one should hope that the projectors will prove to have shown as much judg- ment as public spirit. The works, if wholly of the decorative department of art, ought to be a welcome addition to the museum at Marlborough House ; if partly (as we infer) of fine art proper, to the National Gallery as well. The caveat to be borne in mind is, that Renaissance work, as not being a desirable model to artists of the present day, is not conse- quently a covetable acquisition unless the best of its kind : which this consignment, however, to judge from the artists whose names are speci- fied, ought to be. Among the importers of the collection, which has Hst arrived in England from Toulouse, are mentioned the Duke of amilton, Lord Ashburton, and 'Messrs. Fairer, Minton, 'FIlkington, Brunel, and Sidney Smirke.
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