New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-13
THE BORGHESE TREASURES
A GREAT ART COLLECTION THAT TIN
ITALIAN GOVERNMENT HAN BOUGHT.
LIE VILLA AND PARK ALSO TO BIG PREssf:RyEu
FOR THE ROMAN PDoPL.E-PIcrURESs
IN THE GALLERY AND come
OF THEIR HISTORY
OF THEIR HISTORY.

iNoine at last has settled tho lonc-pendin<
4aesuoh or what is to become Of the Villa Boz.
ana all Its treasures Of art Ever since
me bankruptcy of the Borghese family in 1884
the owners. the Government and the credf
ors have been at odd over the settlement of The
estate. Now it is announced that the italian
government is to pay 5000 600 francs about
Sl'-ooVoo, Tor the pictures and statuary In the
museum. while the City of Rome will pay
"oO'coo francs, or about $GO0.000 for the great
villa ard park which the museum occupies
This settlement is OF the utmost interest not
only to Rome. but to lovers Of art the world
over who desire to see collections kept torethcr
IN 'heir proper place, and wish to preserve from
obstruction one OF the few remaining and per-
h'ps 'he hnest OF the old Roman villas built by
the ropes The Villa Ludovisi, which Gregory
Nv left means for his nephew to build Is now
cut up INTO building lots. dshgured with apart
nlent-houses and troley-cars which would
shame Harlem, and little beyond the old Casino
u the Aurora, now the home OF the American
SCHOOL remains. On the other side Of Rome tho
Ooria-P ar:iili which Olympia Maldacchini built
from the profits OF extortion during the reign
OF her brother-in-aw. Innocent X Is preserved
M All It's beauties and at intervals thrown open
10 the Romans by the Genoese Dorias WIN
through marriage. inherited the Pamfli prop-
erty.
SAVED BY THE GOVERNMENT
Like 1t. the Villa Borghese was held by q
wealthy family, who allowed the public acres.
10 the grounds. and so long they were wealthy
preserved from modern changes. But when the
pressure came FOR money It almost shared the
ia'e or the Villa Ludovisi. and doubtless would
nave done so had the italian Government not
'eiierso- Much fault has been found with the
O'iis as thelr enemies call them for
changing the old face of Rome and for ruthless
destruction in the guise Of Improvement but
certainly 1t has not been more careless than
the old families who complain of it's rule rrue
IL sPoieu the Farnesina Garden in Strengthening
INC iioer' and 1t has suppianted the green slopes
vi 'he river with retaining walls. but it has
improved the health OF Rome and made the CITY
a SAFE place to visit in summer. 1t could not
prevent Prince Piombino from selling the Villa
Ludovis to a bank for 5000 600 francs Rut n
oio not hesitate to interfere with the Colonn;as
"heh' IN spite OF their Papal and princely fame
'hey were about to sell for building lots the
garden which Martin constructed for ht.
FAMILY more than four centuries ago In TIA
garden were some classical remains which gave
pretext for its preservation as a national
monument. 80 now the Government comes for
ward to assert the claim of public interest a.
against private need.
WHAT SPECULATION DID
The Borghese misfortunes are no, dine a.
many suppose TO the change of government
ana the new times. but to reckless snccula
'oi' The present generation have had wealth
ample even for a richer countrv thor r,,
but ialins in the attempt to make more tbev
were preparing to dispense their PAINTINGS and
dispose or their land. Luckily the State had q
claim on both, which, while not strong enourb
10 cut OH property rights, was strong epou,h r.,
prevent the disposition of those rights As f,r
'he PICTURES, it had only to apply the Same rn,.
DIS III other cases to prevent their being cold
io'u' ana 1t was only to foreign collectors
.ia' 'hey could have been sold to advaDta,o
INC general law Of the kingdom forhiddipc N.
cAPort or valuable antiques alone saves !, rron,
'eii'S uehuded IN its poverty.
AS ior the land the Roman people lad a c,,..,
WHICH went back TO the foundation of Tho ,,i,,
at the beginning of the sixteenth century p
aui v Camll!o Borghese, had tb, e,rou,a,
i''iu out IN cooperation with his nonh
cardinal Scipio Borghese for the benoGt - ~
people or Rome, as it was recorded rrbo caao
4or 'h's peieilcence is said to have heer mini;
'i'uiSia'oh over the use by the Pone Of confo
'''cu property for the benefit Of bis ,a,,;,-
OoHiSVatloh or the goods of wealthy crinoir.,.
WIS Il laVorlte device for increasine, r.,.o,,,,
III 'hose days. a few years before ,vo,,o,.
VIII executed Beatrice Cenci and all t, -
"''hDer or her family for the murder -, -
Id'her, the wretch whose crimes baa 9,
pardon at court for price and took nos....s;
Oh the estates. part of which went to bi. 49,,