14 MARCH 1992, Page 13

One hundred years ago

Mr. Henry Tate has withdrawn his gen- erous offer to give his collection of pic- tures to the public, in consequence of the failure of the Treasury to fulfil his conditions as to the building in which it should be lodged. We are inclined to think that his conditions were too severe and too peremptory. The State cannot properly make such sacrifices as he demanded for any collection of pictures which a generous donor expects to be appreciated at his own high and perhaps extravagant estimate.

The Spectator 12 March 1892