The Sun.
London, England, 1845-09-22 00:00:00

~x

•
. "'
L-21
v!'t: \-
• r emu

..-,f
,xl,l__t_..,

FINE ARTS AT EDINBU
ROYAL INSTITUTION.

We hare much pleasure in calling the attention of our
readers to the arrangements which have been made in
the Royal Institution building, by which a large, varied,
and valuable collection of paintings, marble, and bronzes
are now thrown open twice a-week for the gratuitous
inspection of the public. It will be remembered that ar-
rangements were entered into between the Lord
Provost and Mr. Sheriff Speirs, and the beard of
trustees of the Royal Institution, with the view of
having the painting ibequeathed to the university by the
late Sir J. Erskine, of Terry, Bart, transferred from the
college to the building of the institution, es affording
better accommodation fur the display of these.paintings.
Accordingly the south octagon of the central suite of
rooms has been appropriated to this purpose, where they
have been hung with great taste and judgment. In addi-
tion to the Torry collection, the directors of the Royal
Institution have-very handsomely transferred teeiepamt-
ings to the board of trustees to be exhibited to the public
on the same terms. In granting this invaluable boon
to the community at large, the Royal Institution have
foregone pecuniary emoluments, which in virtue of
their lease from the boar.l of trustees they received by
the annual exhibition of the Royal Academy, and from
the exhibition of their own paintings. Their great ob-
ject, as well as that of the board of trustees, being to
promote a taste for the fine arts, they have handed over
their paintings to the board of trustees, deeming that
their exhibition along with the Torry paintings will
serve as a stronger inducement to inspection, and conse-
quently facilitate the attainment of the object which the
two societies in common have in view. These paintings,
which comprise specimens of the creations of the Caracci,
Guido, Vandyke, Rembrandt, and other celebrated
painters, are suspended on the walls of the central com-
partments. In the northern octagon also the fine large
paintings of Etty, the property of the Royal Academy,
are for the present at least displayed. The
room adjacent to the southern octagon has been
set apart for private contributions of paintings,
and for the marbles, bronzes, tee. For the bet-
ter display of the latter, an octagonal table has been
erected in the centre of the room. When to these col-
lections is added the much-admired gallery of casts, it
must be admitted that within the walls of this elegant
building is to be found an exhibition of the most attrac-
tive description. It is often sail of ti's ceuntry that it
provides little or no means of ratio-.al itannement and
beneficial recreation for the working cla,ses ; that, in
short, the principles of conservation (.nd exclusion are
too strictly applied to institutions whip h ought rightly to
be open and accessible to all classes, rod in-,re particu-
larly to that class which, within themsi Ives, have little
or no means of cultivating a taste for the sublime and
beautiful, although it is admitted on all hands to be a
most effectual means of elevating their thoughts and
habits. We hail with pleasure the facilities which the
Board of Trustees have afforded, and trust that the boon
will be eagerly embraced, and that the visitors will show
their grateful acknowledgments by in no way abusing
the privilege so generously granted to them.—Edinburgh
Advertiser.

,--15 N A,
• ---: ( - •:-.17:F•; Ck.
~.„?
~ • -.: '..,1 ;'+' / %--.
Ow
I." -•;,` ,r.
1....'r...t,:.,.' i', '. 1 '....'
, 1":,,,s : 1 ......,
_ ~ , ..4 ! •,..1.1--..-..-