• We wish to Call the attention of such of
our readers as take an interest in the administration of public property, to a paper in a subsequent page under the head of Fine Arts. It exhibits not only concurrent evidence .of gross mismanagement at the National Gallery, but also a system of -active destruction under the name of "cleaning," by which two of the _fuiest pictures have been irreparably damaged, and one of them de- stroyed. There is a general feeling that this work of destruction ought to be stopped; but by whom? The Gallery is under the.care of a Keeper, subject to a Board of honorary Trustees. Probably, to judge from the common history of such boards, the supineness of the majority enables a few, more alert, to monopolize active management. We would fain hope that all the Trustees are not parties to this extraordinary treatment of national property. But even that is possible: and those who can estimate the value -of the property at stake, and the amount of mischief already done, seek in 'vain for a distinct responsible authority. If the national collection of pic- tures is to he preserved, all who have influence should cooperate to arrest the process of deal:ruction, at least till there has been due inquiry.
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