Vitus In t4r Ebitor.
SALE OF NA.TIONAL PICTURES.
16th February 1857. Sin—On Saturday the 14th, thirty-seven pictures, "not required for the National Gallery," consisting of a portion of the Kruger collection of early German pictures were sold at Messrs. Christie and Manson's. The Kruger collection congaed of sixty items, and it has been stated that forty-throe of them were thought unfit for our National Gallery. They were purchased under the trusteeship of Sir Charles Eastlake ; their first cost was 28001. of public money, and 116/. 19e. &t. more for "insurance against all risk" and transmission to this country. The thirty-seven pictures sold, as above, being nearly two-thirds of the entire Kruger collection, realized 2491.; the remainder, now in the possession of the nation, which are little better than the miserable productions disposed of therefore cost the nation upwards of 26701.
How much longer, Sir, will our representatives in Parliament allow the public money of a heavily-taxed people to be so disgracefully squandered and misapplied as it has now been for years at our National Galle through the dishonesty of sacrificing the interests of the public to co intrigue and favouritism ?
I am, Sir, yours &c. N. T. WALTER.
• REM V. RUM.
Pall Mall East, 14th February 1857. 8m—We are sorry that " Priscian " has so soft a head. Out of respect for your editorial note, we reply to this second Holofernes, like Dull in the play: "I did not say 'twas a Hand Credo—I said 'twas a Pricket." The fact is, that in copying our prospectus (which we enclose) the advertising-agent appears to have "sweetly varied the epithets," and confounded a Rem" and "Rum."
We remain, Sir, yours faithfully, PAUL and Bounce COLNAGBI and Co.
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