New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-12
THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES.
TIE INSTITUTION RICH, PROSPEROUS AND FREE
IRON DEBT.


the wear 1ss4-5: John Taylor Johnston, presidentl
William C. Prime, first vice-president, Daniel
Huntington, second vice-president; Henry
G.. Marouand, treasurer; L. T. Gil
Cesuola. secretary Rutherford Stuyvesant,
William f. Dodge and Joseph ii. Choate were
elected trustees for seven years nc anntai TO-
port of the trustees was read showing the Museum
Ia rich, prosperous, going ahead and without any
debt. The most interesting parts of the report are
Our property at the beginning OF the year 1884, IN
ending works OF objects of art endowments ~ re
time Of acqson) estimated at $676,571 49, We owe
debt,and enter the year 1884 with small Daance
II has been only by the srctest economy, and the ex
ecutiye abi Of the Director that we are enaDe 10 Ia
bOrand that OF the staff employed under him
T Ts Of the Museum into departments rapidly becOm
ing pressing necessity This plan can OF course hone
the TaSd Increase of our possessions entang largely
increased responsibility labor ahd expense aeusnas
most serious consideration OF members at the pIese'
moment
THE RECENT TRIAL AND IT'S RESULT.
It's proper to make brief alluson TO subject when
has recently commanded the attention OF members as Oh
the public You aware that from $780, the hrst year
of tho complete and exhibition OF the Cesnoa
Collection It and its have subjected to con
tnuous series Of attacks in certain public pnts
decepiye restoratons 1t has not appeared the trus-
tees that these statements required puDnc no.loo a
one plain duty TO be themselves assured Of rhe verify and
correctness Of the instruction they give 20 nc M n-.t
tins we always had the aid and advice OF INC d
scholarhip and thorough experience ~ Europe anu
America II the people to whom we 0her lnstuc .s ia
prevented from receiving II by those VINO iack WIS ~
and expeente which our safe reliance III the
OF the Museum, we can only res,et H. byiet and
The director in the yeaItlsso PnDnsnsedt ia ection
total denial of the charges against him ana the
He also in pursuance OF ms GUY, ATTAIN snp"nted TO
examine into the accusations, full ana expcit ]
used NV him in these three communications were made
the subject OF libel suit against nm III Wh'n ~ snc
were distinct to the truth or faseh0Od OF lhe
lions again the Director the entire collection ana spe
cinc objects in it. Notwithstanding the commencement
violence against the museum. their trustees their COM
mee of investigation including OF tne ngneSS
s ienoe Which was imposed on him by the suit its deter
mHaton in due course Of law This suit came to trial
October 81, 1883. The presiding judge tne Hon ma
thanicl shpman. conducted with his known learning
ability and impartiaty. Tho jury was Of exeepiiona.
character composed OF twelve geuen i,t o. hs
presented TO them by counsel conceded on botn des
DO questions On w gaye 10 them patient and faithful
attention during protractcd investigation ,or Inreo
tared the entire integrity Of tho Ccsnola Collection
tahhed the baseessness OF each and every one OF me
charges and indicated the Director from me ansua
e@cus9on that he the dlscoverer OF the Cypcte antiqu
Ties had made fraudulent objects and deceptive resora-
G Tsctor has been Subjected to Violent attacks
vate well mis- official character the trustees aee mn
their duty IS their pleasure, TO place on RECORD mere
hearty assurance TO him their unchanged and cordial
confidence and esteem.
An exceedingly interesting addition TO the Museum
has been made by the gift Mr. william II. Huntington.
During his long residence In Europe Mr.. Huntington has
made a very large and valuable collection or works OF
art which have special reference to Washington Franklin
and Lafayette. This collection, which has been made
with great care and Judgment includes several hundred
Objects satueos and bustsin bronze pottery porcelain
and other materials paintings. about 1900 prints and
eneravngs medaions and medals in various metal and
other substances 1t forms as whole remarkable NUS
| pf fne gf
mepts the characters and achievements OF the men
| whose memory America Cherishes
Mr.Huntngon has presented to ia the entire coffee
ton AM il Il now In hands When We shall be aDe
70 exhib it, he will receive in addition to the thanks of
the Museum already conveyed him, continuous ex
preston OF gratitude from American visitors. ~, ,,
by the verbal beguest OF the late DIT George '" lnorne'
which was carried into effect by his family. we have re-
osyed s eSeeoR p wU5 5agneti There are very
many private collections OF this kind in our country made
which their natural and appropriate place OF deposit
| in this museum. While Il may be possible from time 70
time acquire Important collections IN EUROPE Aher
can institutions like this must depend for their ordinary
nan; ~ piyste persons Tor private collections
catalogue Of other gifts received curing inc year n
annexed to this report They all valuable acquisl-
Our art schools have prospered during the year and
give promise Of sn greater prosperity III the yeat 70
come Mr. John W Stmson has been placed III charge OF
The attention of members is again called library
The endowment fund been increased during the year
by a gift Of $1,000, and IL now $1,000 The income OF
f6e fund certain special gifts and appropriation by
tie trustees have together amounted about $1,000
| viii n
within the year 1883 the ACQUISITIONS SI me %
| have been numerous and important. Mr.. Levi . WIZ
aiG % ~ sn6 by his vii gave to
the considerable portion OF MS estate 10 De ap-
photographs engravings and other objects illustrative
the art and science Of srohitectGre me COLLECTION TO
By the GsapT The OF e taS
which will be available under this gift Is aboutS1o,OoO
REPRODUCTIONS N METALS.
Among the earliest purchases We made was small
but very interesting collection OF fac-simile reproduction
Of beautiful works in metal especially In gold and silver
Within the past year VIC have added notably TO our pos
essons in department In the year $780, the Lords
| Of the Committee Of Council Education lin Great
Britain through Earl Granville then Secretary OF State
for Foreign Affairs brought to the attention OF the Rus
sian Government their desire TO secure for the
| South Kensiugton Museum copies OF some OF the
numerous examples Of plate in the Im-
peria collections OF Russia. This Resulted In the permits
Sion OF the Emperor aad subsequently that OF various
ecclesiastical authorities and private owners OF eolee,
objects in plate. The authorities OF the South kensng
securing duplicates Of the entire collection Mr. Henry
g. Marquano authorized us to accept this opportunity at
his expense The productions have benin part received
and the remainder will be received rapidly as they are
completed The total expense OF THIS acquisition De
II has been forciby argued that tie Museum would
rest solid foundation II 1t were located In us
own private building and its revenues 10 some extent
gmened by charge for admission AT us door, Ihere
nublc institnons OF the city supported by the public,
has diverted from II much substantial AID winch would
have received In accessiOns ts membership aud gifts
toward jts incree while the contributions OF the
city support form but part OF tne sHpeusss o,
bespjuR il omen a museum 20 the people, II must
NOT he 7orefteu that regular charge for admission
wond lie final abandoning Of that desiIe, which
hos sIw avs animated the member OF making our In
| stI1lcton a free gift to all classes OF people.
| A SERIOUS MBARAssNENT.
The Trustees while CONCENTRATING the members on
the prosperity and wealth of the Museum. now
need to present to them a subject of very serious
bar1assrnent 1t must be repeated that accommodations
Of pon-producye property entail heavy expense and
sponsIblty.
our position may be stated in brief terms under two
| heads:
t. have vastly more works OF art than can hc ex
/ Ia, ,ff,C rfraID nri