Page:The Annual Register 1899.djvu/540

 116 AET, DEAMA AND MUSIC. [1899.

collection, to fill gaps in the museum set. A number of original lithographs by Fantin-Latour and C. H. Shannon, and one hundred etchings by Colonel Goff, presented by their respective artists, should also be mentioned.

The South Kensington Museum, which is in future to be known as Hie Victoria, and Albert Museum, afforded interest and excitement to many who took but little interest in either science or art. The Select Committee of the House of Commons appointed to inquire into the administration of the vote for this department had reported in such scathing terms of the way in which public money was spent and public interests neglected, that the Lord President of the Council, the Duke of Devonshire, as titular head of the Education Board, found it necessary to make a speech in defence of the action of the department in dispens- ing with the services of the keeper of the Art Library. The net result, however, was that the committee and the department took different views of the course adopted towards an unpleasantly frank witness.

A more important incident, however, was the laying of the first stone of the new buildings by the Queen on May 17. These buildings, designed by Mr. Aston Webb (General Fowke's original design having for some unexplained reason been put aside), were estimated to cost 800,000/., and would occupy nearly ten years in erection.

The donations and bequests during the year were of more than usual importance, and included two fine pictures by Constable, several draw- ings by Turner, and other objects (Vaughan bequest), twenty-seven valuable water colours (James Orrock), a collection of eighteenth century furniture, cut glass, etc ( Barrett- Lennard bequest), and a collection of Spode china and pottery from Miss Gulston.

The purchases for the museum at the Bardini sale included an Italian enamelled crucifix of the fifteenth century (2501.), an Italian spinet dated 1537 (190/.), and six small gesso-duro boxes and caskets of Florentine workmanship. At the sale of the Forman collection were acquired, among other objects, a damascened casket with the arms of Charles IX. of France (400/.), an iron door of an ambry from the abbey of St. Loup, Troyes (2001.), a Dalmatian brass salver (115/.), and a back- gammon and draught board, veneered with ivory and ebony (110J.). An extensive collection of woven and printed stuffs was bought irom Dr. Forrer, of Strassburg, for 700/., and the textile section was also enlarged by a number of embroideries, including some large coverlets of Indo-Portuguese origin (160/.), and a Persian brocade with two Oriental velvets 256/. 13*. 6d. The principal additions to the wood-carving section were the early sixteenth-century oak panelling from an old house at Waltham Abbey (375/.), and two small collections of doors, panels, etc., for 174/. 14s. 6d. and 133/. respectively. A number of old Chinese bronzes was bought from Dr. Bushell for 400/. A collection of tiles and metal work, chiefly from Central Asia, cost 360/. A further series of drawings of Pompeian remains by Signor Luigi Bazzani, was acquired for 250/. Among the objects added by presentation or bequest was a collection of silversmith's work and Sheffield silver-plated ware (Mr. C. B. Farmer) ; two collections of Wedgwood pottery (Mr. F. Rathbone and Mr. G. Tolson) ; a chair of white marble, presented by the King of