New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-26
BRITISH GOSSIP.
SALES OF AFT COLLECTION


Nh. GIADsTONE's PICTUErs, PORCELAIN AND POT-
Terry 70 BE SOLD By ACCUoN-PICTCEEs OF
NR. MENDEL TO COME UNDER TIE HAMMER
LONDON AZ TIE PICTURE MAERET or TIE
WORLD.
lFROM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE. !
LONDON April 10.-Almost at the same moment
come two announcements OF interest about Nh Glad
stone. He has taken rooms at Keble College. Ok
ford with a view to the better prosecution Of his
theological studies. and be is going 10 sell BY auc-
ton his collections of pictures, porcelain, pottery
bronzes marbles, old furniture, and plate. Perhaps
there is nothing very surprising in either announce
ment. The success OF his two pamphlets on the
Vatican might kndle a young ambition in an older
and less sensitive man than the ex-PIime Minister
And with or without ambition, Mr. Gladstone heart
is in the matter All his life long tie two things
lie has most cared for have been theology and
finance. If there third il was pOttery-aftcr
his public duties OF course II is minated that he
means to withdraw from the world during cOnsd-
cradle part Of each year. Keble College, with the
memories Of it, founder so fresh about it, j., just the
place for the sort of semsecluson he is supposed to
contemplate There i the BOdlean Library close at
hand rich in ecclesiastical literature there is society
enough. and not too much, and there is London
within two hours.
In London. however The great Liberal has no
longer a houe-a furnished house for the season cx-
copied After selling his own house. why should he
keep the contents of it Sir Arthur Guinness, It's
present possessOr at the price Of $50 OOO is hardly
the sort OF man to buy assemblage Of brc-;-brac
in block ! mentioned the pottery and porcelain
some time ago a really fine collection though mis-
ccllaucous Ii was said 10 have been sold 10 a Liv-
erp0Ol man, but this turns Out mistake. Messrs.
Christie, the auconeers, say it consists principally
OF an interesting series of specimens of English Ital-
ian. and German porcelain and faience. infer that
all j., not 10 he sold. Few collectors ever make I'D
their minds to"part with all their treasures unre-
scrvedly, in their lifetime. Mr.. Gladstone still has
Hawardcn Castle i'll Wales, where room may surely
be found for some of the gems of different sorts
People who care for such things will find
some mention of Mr.. GladstOnes possessions in Mar
rvat and other well-knOwn books on the subject
The sale takes place in London, June % and three
following DAYS Details are not yet given but
suspect the pottery and porcelain comprise the
important part of the whole. There are, told
about 100 capital pictures of the Italian, Spanish
Dutch and English schools. The word " schools" has
an OmnOus sound. Can ii be that the parentage of
Mr. GladstOne's old masters is dOnbtfulf He WILL if
that be the case, have the satisfaction OF knowing
the worst before he dies. That strikes me as more
desirable than it, for instance, he should leave his
gallery to public institution. ana the public inst-
tution declare that the gift valueless and sell
the whole by auction 10 the highest bidder with in
decent haste before the grass had had time TO grow
over the grave of its wOuld-be benefactOr If such
an institution ever really existed and really did such
an act, il might teach future donors TO he cautious
in selecting the objects OF their generosity.
There is something melancholy in seeing great
collections brought 10 the hammer. This year the
number is unusually large. Bhe breakup of Mr..
Sam Mendels establishment Manchester was
Of itself an event to make the season remembered.
The miscellaneous contents of Maney Hal were sold
Oh the spot The pictures are NJ be sold week after
next in London and She list Of names includes fine
examples of most of the best living English artists
and the greatest OF the dead. To mention only the