12 JUNE 1909, Page 18

THE "DUCHESS OF MILAN."

rre nurroit 1.1111 "ernackToe."1 SIR,—May I express some heretical views upon the subject of purchasing pictures for the National Gallery ? Why was money wasted upon a doubtful Titian (the "Poet") when the Gallery has so many fine ones ? Why was money thrown away upon a poor Franz Hats when we already have a first- rate one in the Wallace Collection ? Had these thousands been kept for better pictures, the " Duchess " might never have run any risk of quitting the National Gallery. Time will show the truth as to my judgment of the above purchases, as it has already shown the waste of money in buying such rubbish as the formerly so-called Rembrandt, "Christ Blessing Little