Lord Leighton's sisters have very generously presented their brother's house,
with its beautiful Arab hall, to the nation on condition that it shall be properly maintained at the public expense. The only serious obstacles to be now sur- mounted are how to obtain the freehold from Lord Ilchester, which there is every reason to think not at all beyond hope. and neit how to obtain some of Lord Leighton's beautiful sketches to put back in their old place, and restore to the house one of the great charms of which it would be deprived if they should all be dispersed. Like many other of our con- siderable artists, Lord Leighton produced a greater impression by his sketches than by his finished pictures. Indeed, there are perhaps very few artists who have succeeded as well in completing and perfecting their designs as, they have in con- veying forcibly the conception which had taken the first fresh hold of their minds. Mrs. Russell Barrington has a very vigorous article in the December number of the National Review on Lord Leighton's sketches, and those who doubt how vastly some of those sketches would add to the value of the house, should read that article, and especially the description of the sketch of Samson wrestling with the lion, which she holds to be the highest expression of the artist's imagination in conceiving what " form in action " must be,.--for of course no model would help in such a sketch ; all must depend on the parer of taking a hint from the aline forms either at rest or in very tranquil motion. We sincerely trust that if the house is to be the nation's, it will be made in every respect worthy of the nation's pride.
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