The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-15
Free Art Galleries.

The decision OF Mrs. John L. Gardner, OF
Boston, to give her Italian palace now
building in the Back Bay Fens, and her
art collection. to the city as free mu-
scum is one which deserves unqualified
| praise. 1t would be well for the owners
| Of other valuable collections to do like
wise.
1t was Ruskin who said that one who
can enjoy work of art properly will wish
others to enjoy it. and one who can truly
| enjoy book will wish others to read it.:
| and the test is good one. Boston is a
place somewhat distinguished for public
spirit of this kind. and it is richer in pub
lie museums, art galleries. and libraries
than any other city of it's size in the land.
In spite Of all the jokes about Boston cul-
| ture. this sort OF education is good for the
people of city. Nobody knows how many
young folk from the country, with little
culture but great desire for self-im-
provement, have come to Boston for Wis
it. short or long. and been the richer all
their lives for that experience. II there
is supposed to be any virtue in a great
picture-any power to kindle the imagina-
ton, refine the sensibilities, and delight
the soul-it is good that that picture
should be where everyone may see it.
Doubtless many Of those who stand before
1t will miss the deeper meanings. or fail
way of sitting out the sheep from the
goats in this world, and il the truth were
known perhaps the workingman in his
blouse. or the shopgirl in her poor little
coquetries Of adornment. are quite as ca
pable of seeing the real beauty of such a
picture as some Of the people who come to
private views" and studio teas because
Culture is not acquired at one step. Pos
sibly the poor student who begins with the
crudest sense OF real beauty in literature.
art, or music, but with an invincible de-
termination to know what the best is and
appreciate it, stands as good chance OF
coming to that appreciation as the daugh-
ter of some rich man to whom beautiful
things have become SO common that she
considers the leadership of cotillion the
really important question in life.
OF course, in the haphazard education of
America some queer results are attained,
and the American is perhaps funnier than
anyone else when he does make himself
ridiculous. because he has to be in such
deadly earnest not to see the fun of the
situation. But 1t must be remembered
that love of beauty and Of high and noble
things are not confined to those who are
fortunate; the street arab may have them
in full measure. Very we'll. then; the
street arab should be encouraged to graf
ify his taste for the refinements OF life.
The only way in which this can be done
is by public museums. libraries. and art
galleries. and free concerts at which the
best music may be heard. These things
should be secured to the people, IL posi-
bic, by popular subscription. since 1t is
not we'll that the public should depend for
amusement upon its rich men: but IL there
be rich man who has the taste, the ex-
perience. and the means to make valua-
BILE collection of pictures, bronzes, mosa-
les. or other artistic things he cannot do
better than to put that collection where |
everyone can enjoy 1t. 1t will be none the |,
less his. |.