THE MUSEUMS OF LONDON It is always instructive to see
what kind of nourishment &Beta circles think fit to supply' in the way of general iduca- tional material. In the field of the arts and sciences some estimate 'of this may be formed by studying the Brief Guide to the National Museums and Galleries of London, just published by The Statibnery °Ili& at the' extremely moderate price of sixpence. This handbook, which is meant to indicate the scope and principal contents of the various museums in London, not • only .performs this function with efficiency, but presents its material in agreeable form. Its information is accurate. and full, its illustrations are well printed, and its maps are relevant. But, apart from- 'these matters,' the choice of of Singled out for special mention is instructive, Take, for instance, the Tate Gallery; which is allowed fiVe plates : these include only one nineteenth-century English painting, a Turner, and-the others are a -Van Gogh' as Seurat, an Epstein and a John.' The authors evidently believe that the public digestion, is getting Stronger if they risk offering it stich a diet, which ten years ago it Would have 'rejected at sight. In the purely historical or scientific museums the choice is perhaps less significant, but in every case it seems to have been made with great discretion. It is interesting to notice that the authors have thought fit to add a note to the description of the Imperial War Museum : ".No -attempt is made to glorify war or to emphasize victory over the enemy."
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