The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1915-12-07

lection will have rooms Of its own The
main galleries will be on the second
moor. III the center of which will be n
beautiful garden or rest ROOM Only a
hibition, at one time. the other art OBJ
1ects being kept on the irst floor OF the
building. where they will he accessible
to students It Is part OF Mr.. Treer's
changed frequently in order that the
art loving public may ALWAYS and
something of fresh interest in the ex-
A big feature Of the building will be
the rooms for students The idea OF
affording opportunities for student
work Is one of the keystones of Mr.
Ereer'S plan for the enllghtenment Of
the public in matters Of art.
Mr.. Freer says that he is satisfied
that the Chinese department af hin
collection contains the things OF the
greatest esthetic interest and of the
highest educational value.
Art Search In China.
He was the first American to believe
that any fine ancient paintings were
left in China. and to make search for
them in interior centers He said: For
years 1 went to Japan believing, as did
others that practically all the ancient
Chinese paintings were in that country.
Then visited China, going far into the
interior. and found fine ancient paint
tngs were stlll existing, there. some
treasured by private collectors, others
in the hands of people who knew moth
ing of their esthetic or commercial
value.
that is to be erected in Washington is
/ to provide splendidly' equipped study
rooms where students may examine
these objects of the ancient cultural
periods Of China and by such means es-
tablish in America higher intelligence
concerning Far Eastern civilization.
"A movement is now on foot to es-
tablish school of art and archaeology
In China to which American and for.
eign students shall be admitted and
the graduates of that school can after
their return TO their respective coun-
tries help to instruct in that Oriental
culture Of which outside of the Orient
| so little is known"
Mr., Freer made it very clear that the
| reason his collection does not contain
the work OF European artists of the
present and bygone days is not be-
but because others in America have
J made collections OF European art, and
/ he decided to devote his time and energy
largely to the gathering together of oh
Jects of equal beauty and workmanship
about which the American people know
but comparatively little He enjoys the
| pleasure OF discovery, and the Joy ot
| possession lies merely in the fact that
ne can give away what he has for the
enlightenment and enjoyment of the
American people.
Mr.. Freer Is Bachelor.
Mr.. Freer Is a bachelor. was born al
Kingston. N. Y, and received his edu-
cation in the public schools of Ulster
county. At one time he was engaged in
railway service and manufacturing in
Detroit. and retired fifteen years ago
that no might give up all the time he
pleased to visiting out of the way places
of the world and picking up art OBJ
Jects to keep for a while and then
give TO the American people.
| Mr.. Freer has been \ Eemi-inValld fol-
the last four years. He is still suffering
from an affection of the throat and is
| under the care of physicians. but his
condition now Is better than at any
time since he was first stricken. He ex-
poets to remain guest at the Plaza
during December. and possibly through
the month Of January.
Mr.. Freer, aided by expert cata
Ioguers. Ia working on his collection
although under medical restriction, and
spends more time consulting with the
architect Of the home for the treas
I ures that he has been turning over. t
Uncle Sam regularly each year for the
consideration OF 81. happy In the knowl
edge that by these simple bills of sal'
he is able to make a gift to the Amerl
can people that no trtckR of law oil
fate can take away from them;