THE VICTORIA LEAGUE AND THE STUDY OF ART.
[TO VIZ EDITOR OF TIM "SraoraTorul SIR,—I think you will be interested to know of a scheme recently initiated by the Victoria League to secure for fellow subjects in the overseas dominions fuller opportunities for the enjoyment and study of good art. If we in Great Britain fail to enjoy and study the works of great artists it is our own fault, for they are within easy reach of all. But in Greater Britain the case is altogether different. From up-country centres in Australia, South Africa. and Canada the Victoria League has received appeals for help to bring good art out to them—to let them have some small share in the wealth of beautiful things which surrounds the Mother Country. Already some response has been made, and with wider financial help much more can be done to help forward this work of "prac- tical imperialism" for which the Victoria League stands. The newly formed Art Committee has taken the first step by selecting from amongst the coloured reproductions from great masters, published by the Medici Society, a set of fifty-one pictures. These pictures, carefully framed in the Society's special frames, make up an exhibition of considerable interest and beauty. For the purchase of three such exhibitions, the Art Committee must raise £150—certainly a moderate sum, considering the published price of the prints. Probably some readers of the Spectator would wish to contribute to such a fund, and thereby enable the Victoria League to purchase the three sets. One exhibition has already gone out to South Africa, and is to be shown in many towns and dorps in the Transvaal and Orange Free State. We bear that both British and Dutch are co-operating to make the necessary arrangements and to collect sufficient funds for the expenses of transport, housing, and insurance. Accompanying each exhibition is a specially prepared catalogue, containing an introduction by Mr. R. H. Benson and biographical notes of the painters. I have pleasure in sending you a copy.—I am, Sir, &c., MERIEL L. TALBOT.
2 lif illbank House, Wood Street, Westminster.
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