An interesting article in the Times lately drew attention to
Lord Leighton's house and the problem of how to preserve it and the collections it contains for the use and enjoyment of the public. It appears that Lord Leighton's sisters, to whom the house was left, have transferred it and many pictures and drawings by Lord Leighton to the Committee who are trying to preserve it, and that other persons, includ- ing the Prince of Wales, have added to the collection. The house, however, is leasehold, and there are substantial grcund-rents to be paid on it to Lord Ilchester. The rates, repairs, and caretaking are also serious items. The discharge of such liabilities cannot, of course, be carried out indefinitely by a private Committee, and therefore some means of endowment must be found. It is suggested that the Kensington Vestry should take over the house under the Public Libraries Act, for under that Act "art galleries" can be apparently acquired. In our view, this is cer- tainly the right course. No vestry could rate the parish to build such a house or buy such a collection, but it seems reasonable that the money necessary for accepting the gift of the fabric and its contents should come out of public funds.
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