The Washington times., 1922-11-19

w most potentially beautiful inspir-
Nv ing gift ever made by an indi-
vidual to a people is the Henry +. Hunt
inyton Foundation. at San Marino, sub
urb of Los Angeles, in Southern Cali
fornia.
Mr. Huntington, discussing his aims in
connection with his Foundation, said to
representative Of this newspaper.
81 am firmly convinced that the region
around Pasadena is destined to be the
greatest art centre in the world. 1t has
an unrivalled climate and an exquisite at
nIosphere that offers the greatest attrac-
tipn to artists. 7 am tolj that there is
oily one part of the world that compares
with it in point of atmosphere, and that is
along the southern shore Of Greece.
T"T expect to see flourishing colonies OF
Artists in Southern California larger than
any that exist in the most picturesque
parts of France and Italy The interest
ing old missions and other relics OF the
Spanish period would be picturesque cen
tres for artistic communities, but equally
picturesque and healthier art villages
could be built or the lower slopes OF the
mountains All this art life will find my
collections of benefit.
"For the present | expect my library TO
be an encouragement to scholarship IN
Southern California. 1t will offer excep-
tional opportunities for historical study
and to special students in various lines II
will give facilities for printing fac-simile
editions. and this in turn should promote
IL. olo.. booL DuhliChinp ppnPrallV it's
sphere of influence"
BV some authorities the Foundation mas
heen termed the "most outstanding cul-
tural endowment Of the century.
The reasons for this estimate are:
library in point of quality and in
value to scholars, literary men, research
delivers, the equal of any in the world a
library that in essentials rquaIs ana IN
some details excels that of the British
Museum.
A collection of paintings, perhaps not as
large as that of the London National Gal
lery, but consisting of none but the very
best examples of English artists; collec-
ton which does not contain one mediocre
picture; a collection of which the best
authority in the country has said:
'Tf | were asked to accept the English
pictures in the London National Iailery
IN place of the Huntington collection,
think 7 would prefer the Huntington col
lection"
For this collection contains nothing that
is not a masters masterpiece.
Associated with the pictures is vast
collection of bronzes, porcelalns, all man
ner of objets dart, tapestries 1.-THE nine
Boucher Gobelins hangings), works of
modern and antique pre-eminence. =,
Then to the library and the art collec-
ton add $50 acres Of botanical garden;
n garden in the fairest portion of the fair
est valley on the globe-the San Gabriel;
a garden stocked with almost every plant
and tree that will grow in seml-troplc
climate. :,
The library is housed in an admirably
designed building planned by Architect
Myron Hunt after study of every similar
edifce in existence.
The result is that every painting, tap
estrv, statue has its own architectural set
ting, and can be enjoyed without giving
the ewes that weariness which comes from
the grouping Of priceless treasures in pha-
lanxes along the walls Of the conventional
art gallery.
For the library Mr.. Hunt designed
structure of the same general size as the
house. 1t is in the form of the letter +,
the three rear wings being for administra-
ton and exhibit rooms, and the centre
room being for the book "st IL" The
whole is so constructed that its size can be
doubled as the collection increases.
The effect Of the dry climate, which,
like excess humidity, Is detrimental to
books, has been met by Mr.. Hunts device
Of q four-f air space below the book
saek. which Is supplied with air from the
basement in which expanses Of evaporat-
10 drawn up beneath the stacks and