New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-05-22
4 CHANCE FOB IMPROVEMENT.

| bile of Perucia to the Empress of Russia, who
wanted it as present for the Emperor on his
| name-day the 2Sth of April. The city had
had the refusal of it, and was sorely tempted
to buy it and the Government which could MT
afford to buy it either tried in vain to imagine
some legal way of preventing it from being
sent ont of the kingdom The highest bidder
got il, however, for the not paltry sum OF
100000 and little more; and the Minister OF
Public Instruction caused himself to be inter
peated in Parliament that he might explain
what he had done to retain the masterpiece,
and why the Government ought not to be
| blamed for letting it go.
This incident trihing in itself, clearly re-
veals the national pride in works of art of
native production, and suggests comparison
with the American way of looking at such
matters We are not soon likely, it is true,
to have our feelings tried by foreign offer
of 100000 for our most cherished statue or
painting by an American artist but, setting
origin and price alike to one side, we do pos
sess art treasures which, being here, we ought
to be anxious to have remain. Boston, for ex-
ample, is now admiring temporary collection OF
Copey's pictures that it would not willingly part
with but there is no saying whether it would
make any sacrifice to keep them, if it could
be supposed that an Englishman wished to
acquire them. This, at least is certain, that
the city fathers would never consider it
municipal concern as did the Common Council
of Perugia in the case of the Madonna del
Libro In fact we all remember that the
Hancock House was abandoned with equa-
nimity; and the Jarves Collection went beg
ging in the same city-a collection which
brings us to remark that no one ever heard
of Congressman rising in his seat to move
an inquiry into the value of this historical
series, and the desirability of securing it for
the National Gallery.
The Fine Arts, of course, had no place as
signed them in our constitution of Govern
ment, and we consequently have no Minister
to interpellate, even if that excellent fashion
prevailed at Washington. For this reason we
are exposed to all the consequences OF the
majority rule, applied by political body - III
which influence is bought and sold - to
aesthetics and suffer by turns the infections
of such prentice hands as Winnie Ream, and
such hardened offenders as Clark Mills. Bad
as it is, and good as it is, it is miracle that
the National Capitol is not worse and IS so
good-it and all its belongings. Perhaps the day
will come when our Lords of the Treasury"
will be the legal representatives of the Ameri-
can taste and, if not empowered to conclude
purchases as if for British Museum,
at least be the proper authorities to
address in regard to the sale of objects
of art, and whose recommendations to Con-
gress will have just weight in determining the
necessary expenditures. When that time ar
rives, the principle of competition for the pub
lie service will perhaps have been fairly estab-
lished and the same principle be applied to all
contracts made with the General Government.
This supposed department, however it may be
designated may also include the care of the
Library of Congress, and anOtherPeter Force
Collection will have less difficulty i'll finding
its way to its rightful destination. With the
Government setting this example of a wise
| watchfulness over the higher interests of the
people, we shall be likely to witness an honor
able rivalry among the States in the same di-
rection; and it will then not be a question
with the people of Massachusetts whether to
allow the Sparks Library to be broken up, or
be sold as whole out of the State, but only
how much is asked for it, and does the United
States bid more.
Meanwhile we may trust that the private
munifcence which is constantly endOwing our
institutions of learning, and identifying our
squares and parks, will not be diminished but
rather stimulated by this official concern for
education and culture We shall need it all
to overcome the start which the Old World has
of us, but with both combined the inequality
betw cen Old and New will rapidly disappear.
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