The record-union., 1897-03-14

Sir Richard Wallace. This collection is
universally recognized by commissioners
as one of the finest and most important
ever brought together. The statement
is made that several years ago the sum
of S2000O,000 was offered to the owner
for it and refused. 1t was first started
by the Marquis of Hartford, a large
land owner in England and Ireland.
Upon his death in Paris the collection
passed into the possession of his natu-
raj son, Sir Richard Wallace, who in
herited his artistic tastes. Sir Richard
lived many years in France, near Paris,
and endeared himself in many ways to
the French people. He was a lover of
everything antique, and his living
rooms were fitted up with rare Marie
Antoinette and Louis XVI. furniture
of great value, while the walls of his
bed chamber were covered with hum
dreds of miniatures in costly jewel
studded frames.
G. p. Huntington has presented to the
Metropolitan Museum of Art a life-size
portrait of Washington by c. w. Peale.
1t was painted. in 1879, and therefore
represents Washington at the age of
Al, clad in the Continental uniform, and
leaning on a cannon. Over his Shout
der runs the blue sash that is said to
be found in all the portraits of him
sent abroad, but not in those destined
for this country. The picture is four
by eight feet in size, and is in excel
lent condition. Mr.. Huntington bought
it from S. P. Avery, Jr., who imported
it only few months ago. having pur-
chased it from a Miss Bell of footing,
Surrey, England, in whose family it
had been for several generations. The
Earl of Albemarle recently offered for
sale a similar portrait of Washington,
also by Peale, for $11 900. J. Pier
pont Morgan has given an altar piece,
valued at $4,000, to the same institu-
ton. 1t is a copy from Perugino, in
silver repousse and enamel, and rep
resents the Madonna enthroned.
S. P. Avery. the we'll known art deal
er, in conversation with Tribune"
reporter told of his visit by permits
sion of the owner to the rooms contain
ing his art treasures before they had
been moved from France to England.
Mr.. Avery said that the collection COM
works, notable among which might be
mentioned the finest examples of the
work of Sir Joshua Reynolds, Greuze,
eight in number; Rembrandt, Vandyke,
Deschamps Murillo, Vernet and Meis-
sonier. Mr.. Avery said that when war
threatened France Sir Richard moved
his treasure to England, where it would
be safe While he was building his
gallery in Manchester Square he placed
the collection in an old unused railway
station known as Bethel Green Mu-
scum This was in the heart of the
tenement district of London. The gall
lery was thrown open free to the pub
lie, and the poor of the squalid quarters
had the opportunity of gazing upon all
the magnificent paintings. During the
life of Sir Richard he offered the col
lection to the British Government on
the condition that it should be hung
Just as it was in the house. Because
the Government demurred to this ar
rangement on the ground that the
building stood on leased ground which
would put it in impossible relations
with landlord when the lease expired,
Sir Richard waxed wroth, withdrew his
offer and willed the collection to his
widow. who has now, it seems, be-
queathed it in turn to the Government
for tho free use of the peOple