THE ELGIN MARBLES
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—The Elgin Marbles should undoubtedly be returned to Greece, if only on aesthetic grounds ; for their presence in that drab, depressing room at the British Museum is an offence against every law of symmetry and beauty of which the sur- roundings are an inseparable part, as this sculpture is in relation to a whole world of the art of the Greeks. Whether it would be possible, or even desirable, to attempt to restore the Elgin Marbles to their former position on a Parthenon which has been restored, is a matter of debate. The restora- tion just completed of the north side of the Parthenon is a magnificent achievement ; as near perfection, architecturally and aesthetically, I believe, as it were possible to be.
But even if it were not found expedient or possible to restore the Marbles to the Parthenon, suppose it were fully restored one day, the Elgin Marbles belong to that building all the same ; and if not in situ at least let them be at hand in the Acropolis museum in the ideal surroundings which this affords for such a purpose.
Here, bathed in that lambent atmosphere which gives a translucent appearance to the temples and statues in Greece, whether in or out of doors, they would be, so to speak, by implication, the extension of the glory of the building which is their spiritual as well as their material home. Once more among their own friezes and metopes, and the other gems of the Acropolis museum, they would further enrich the collec- tion so carefully gathered there to witness to the genius of the Greek artist.
Another reason for returning these peculiar sculptures to Athens is because they belong there ; and it is there that they make their greatest appeal to the artistic sense of man. For under the radiant sky of Athens, and in that crystal-like atmosphere of incomparable brightness, they seem to become more than the mere marble out of which the figures are sculptured. They are quickened by a spirit also, which reanimates them and gives them their true significance in our eyes as creations of the gods and goddesses.
So let us no longer deny to the Elgin Marbles their rightful place in that atmosphere and environment in which they show to such extraordinary advantage.
• Greece watches over her treasures with the greatest love and pride. There would be no need, as suggested, to enlist the League of Nations as a custodian of the Elgin Marbles ; indeed, I venture to say that such a suggestion would be an insult to a nation which has shown itself as " civilized " as any other European nation in its care for national art trea- sures. And were Great Britain to return these treasures to Greece, after they have been an inspiration and "a joy for ever" to generations of Englishmen and women, she would make Greece her debtor once more through her traditional policy of a wide liberalism.—I am, Sir, &C., 5 Queen's Gate Gardens, S.W. 7.
EUPHROSYNE KEPHALA.
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