The End of an Old Song
So Hugh Lane's pictures are at last to be seen where he wished them to be seen : in Dublin. The story of their appropriation by the Tate, and their retention there for nearly half a century, is undeniably a shabby one. The Irish authorities, admittedly, made things more difficult with their we-own-them-all, we-want-all-or-nothing attitude; though theoretically it could be justified, it merely meant that their countrymen could not see the collection unless they came to London (and often not even then : whenever the controversy bubbled up, the Tate hurriedly put more of the pictures on view, but usually a good part of the collection was held in store). Some compromise had to be sought : and for a long time the sensible solution has been obvious: to let the problem of owner- ship go hang, and let the pictures be hung --in Dublin and in London, preferably, so that both peoples can enjoy them. There have been tech- nical objections, apparently, to too rapid a circu- lation : pictures, like some wine, do not travel well. But surely these can be overcome?
`lis not Siberia, Mrs. Mafek cup; you'll lie al h to hear the Queen's Commonwealth lite VS'ilgr at CI rivinws.'
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