New-York tribune., 1910-01-10
LONDON NOTES
I'm american Mismoner-T1s
Sailing Bequests.
London. Decemhsr -


ance. His heart is set upon bringing all
Christian bodies together IN the Worlds
Mission Congress at Edinburgh next
June, and he has remarkable success IN
interesting prelates and laymen In this
practical approach TO Christian unity.
He Is vice-chairrnan of the Commission
on Cooperation and Promoting Unitv,
which has been In session during tbs
last ten days and has agreed unani-
mously upon report. The chairman IL
a iayman, Sir Andrew Fraser. veteran
of the Indian service and formerly Lieu
tenant Governor OF Bengal. and among
the members are the Dean Of Westmin-
ster, the Rev. Walter Howard Frers.
Superior of the Community OF the Res
direction at Mirheld; the Rev Dr. Find
lay. of the Wesleyan Theological Insti-
tuition. and representatives Of Scotch
Presbyterianisn and English Noncor-
formity. The only American attending
the sessions has been the editor OF 'STha
Churchman," and he has represented all
the religious bodies in the United States
which have accepted the idea that unity
is possible and highly expedient in mis-
sionary work. AS foreigner he has
been listened to with respect BY his
British associates. and his ardor and
zeal have been infectious
The Bishop Of London. who Is strong
supporter of the missionary congress.
having faith in Mr.. McBee's persuasive
powers, gave luncheon for him and in
vited several bishops and influential
churchmen 10 meet him, and when the
right moment came the visitor talked
about what was closest 10 his heart and
carried everybody with him The Arch
bishop of York. the Bishop OF Birming-
ham, the Bishop OF Southwark and other
prelates have already committed them
selves to active participation In the
proceedings at Edinburgh. and the mem
bers of the commission were most anx-
ious to have the corporation OF the Pri-
mate himself Mr.. McBee was consid-
cred the most promising negotiator. and
accordingly he was Archbishop David
sons guest at the Old Palace in Can
terbury last night, where he could ex-
plain in detail the results of co-opera-
ton in missionary work BY religious
bodies in America and the pfoSPects
OF a. similar growth OF Christian tolsr-
ance and practical efficiency IN csnse-
ouence Of the approaching congress n
FdinSursh. Mr.. McBee has already ex-
erted a strong influence at OXFORD and
Cambridge. where he has met the heads
of colleges and important men, ard X
i'm the end the TIVE archbishops and many
bishops find themselves on the same
platform with the leaders OF Wesleyan
ism. Presbyterianisn. congregational
ism and Nonconfornlity generally, II
will be a salutary result TO which MS
enthusiasm has largely contributed
When English art connoisseurs read
the. accounts of the Van Dyck exhibition
in New York they bless the memory or
George Sailing, who anticipated tne
energy OF American collectors and stored
IN national museums treasures whicn
can never be auctioned of, bought up
and exported. His will, while drawn as
long ago as 1850, WAS never amended
nor revoked. and by il his various collec-
tions, were bequeathed to the nation He
knew his ground when he was buying
Oriental china, Renaissance Objects dart
and Old English furniture. and he as
tees of the South kensington Museum
would not question the soundness OF his
Judgment nor be anxious TO thin out his
collections in any OF the Specialties IN
which he had interested himself Ac-
ccrdingly, he did not arm the trustees
with discretion. but directed them 70
keep his collections together and not 70
distribute them among the sections.
While he began his experiences as
collector by purchasing old Chinese por-
ceIains and Japanese ceramics. and sub
seauently included Renaissance work. he
made few mistakes In. training his taste,
and invariably acknowledged them when
he found out that he had been misled-
II was one of his chief merits as col
lectOr that he had an open mind after
purchase, and when he was convinced
that he had been imposed upon he set
rid of the rubbish. His vigilance in
wedding out his collections equausd his
energy and Intelligence in acquiring
them.
He was not equally confident Of bis
knowledge and taste in the selection ot
paintings. prints and miniatures. al
in auction rooms and in private negotia-
tions. If he had been self -opinionatsd
or obstinate he would not have allowed
the trustees of the National Gallery and
Of the British Museum the privilege OF
rejecting any or his paintings. drawings
and prints. AS he knew his limitations
and suspected that some Of his treasures
might not be authentic works, he au-
thorized the trustees of both institutions
10 select from his collections any thar
they might deem worthy OF being added
10 the national treasures. Many of these
works are already on exhibition at the
National Gallery. How valuable the
other additions will be is apparent from
two gems now TO be seen ar the Burliag-
ton Fine Art show-a Holy Family by
Luca Sisnorelli and beautiful example
% Ffcrenzo oil Lorenzo Virgin and
Child with angels. Among the other
Italian pictures is remarkable SebaS-
tiano del Piombo. and there are little
masterpieces by Jan Stesn and other
Dutch painters, and there is a good col
lection OF the Barbizon school There IS
also an immense series of rare drawings.