DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.52801#0193
MR. ERARD’S COLLECTION. 189
picture called Correggio in the same collection, an
undoubted original of which is in the possession
of his Grace the Duke of Wellington.
Mr. Erard was particularly unfortunate in
sending pictures to England. The ship in which
his finest Flemish and Dutch pictures were em-
barked sprung a leak and stranded, and several
cases of fine pictures were under water for some
ceconomy, the Public itself being always the supreme
judge of the conduct of its managers.
The property of a State, which requires a certain de-
gree of sound knowledge and judgment in the selection
of it, is, like its political institutions, open at all times to
the critical remarks of its citizens. Without the liberty
of a free discussion perfection cannot be expected ; while
such liberty, the birthright of Englishmen, will always
operate in either case as a salutary check against abuse,
whether the same may have its origin in interest or in
ignorance.
The National Gallery of Great Britain, with the power-
ful means which England as a country possesses, should
be rendered a model of excellence, and never allowed to
become, under any circumstances,
“ A wild where weeds and flowers promiscuous shoot.”
If such remarks are useful, they may be considered as
doubly so at a period when such an establishment is in its
infancy, and where the nucleus only for it can as yet be
considered as formed; they may, however, be applied to
all periods.
picture called Correggio in the same collection, an
undoubted original of which is in the possession
of his Grace the Duke of Wellington.
Mr. Erard was particularly unfortunate in
sending pictures to England. The ship in which
his finest Flemish and Dutch pictures were em-
barked sprung a leak and stranded, and several
cases of fine pictures were under water for some
ceconomy, the Public itself being always the supreme
judge of the conduct of its managers.
The property of a State, which requires a certain de-
gree of sound knowledge and judgment in the selection
of it, is, like its political institutions, open at all times to
the critical remarks of its citizens. Without the liberty
of a free discussion perfection cannot be expected ; while
such liberty, the birthright of Englishmen, will always
operate in either case as a salutary check against abuse,
whether the same may have its origin in interest or in
ignorance.
The National Gallery of Great Britain, with the power-
ful means which England as a country possesses, should
be rendered a model of excellence, and never allowed to
become, under any circumstances,
“ A wild where weeds and flowers promiscuous shoot.”
If such remarks are useful, they may be considered as
doubly so at a period when such an establishment is in its
infancy, and where the nucleus only for it can as yet be
considered as formed; they may, however, be applied to
all periods.