LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
[Letters of the length of one of our leading paragraphs are often more read, and therefore more effective, than those which fill treble the space.] THE NATIONAL ART-COLLECTIONS FUND. (To THE EDITOR OF TILE " SPECTATOR."' SH2,—All those among your readers who are interested in art, and they are surely a large proportion of educated men and women, must, I think, realize that the present moment is almost unique in the opportunities it offers of making the great national art collections, which they enjoy, more complete and more representative.
Largely as a result of the war, many great European private collections are in course of being broken up. It may well be that America with her enthusiasm and wealth will secure the larger part, but it has not been the practice of this country to sit with folded hands in the great friendly international rivalries of the past. I venture therefore to appeal for the support of all art-lovers to this end.
The work of the National Art-Collections Fund is less known
perhaps than it deserves to be. The Committee do not feel justified in spending our resources on advertising, especially in view of the backing we have received for the past fifteen years from a limited number of public-spirited individuals who by their generous and steady contributions have enabled us to add a magnificent series of masterpieces, and a splendid list of minor works, to the great Museums and Galleries.
But the time has now come when we feel justified in appealing
to a wider public, and, in fact, to all who enjoy the national collections, and should therefore feel responsible for their growth and development. We hope to include the name of every collector, for there is no branch of art, ancient or modern, in which we are not interested. We need too the names of all art-lovers in all walks of life, for each name carries weight in and beyond its own circle, and helps the representative character of the Society when dealing with those public questions concerning the fine arts and their encouragement upon which we are continually consulted. Indeed in this way representative names are as valuable to the cause as adequate funds, though both are necessary.
Finally I would mention that the privileges attached to mem
bership are such as should overwhelm us with applications far• membership were they better known, including, as they do, entrance without payment on paying days to the various Galleries and Museums and an admission card for the Reading Room and Print Rooms at the British Museum, and special invitations to visit interesting private art collections and to the various exhibitions of the Burlington Fine Arts Club. Applications for membership and for further particulars may be made to the Secretary at the new offices of the Fund, Hertford House, Manchester Square, W. 1.—I am, Sir, Sic., ROBERT C. Win, Vice-Chairman. Hertford House, Manchester Square, W. 1.
[We deal with this subject in our leading columns.—En Spectator.]
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