328 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1893. 



Tliis must have been the convictiou of your inajesty's former ministry when it did 

 not think, as otliors did. that the fourth centenary of the discovery of America 

 should be celebrated in Madrid by an international exposition. But what is now 

 proposed goes still farther, and does not limit the exposition simply to an industrial 

 <'xhibit by the Hispano-Americans, who recently proved, in their sumptuous struc- 

 tures at the Paris exhibition, their common and increasing prosperity. It is not 

 obligatory, for this reason, tbat such a display should be made at the approaching 

 centenary. Fortunately, we of the Peninsula and of America possess other elements 

 which, togetlier with those we may be able to borrow, for the purpose from foreigners, 

 would be sutticient to form a basis for a demonstration appropriate to the occasion. 

 !No Hispano-American country can fail to possess, as docs the mother country, in 

 museums, and in the hands of private individuals. pre-Columbian relics and those 

 contemporaneous with the discovery which, brought together, would excite their 

 common remembrances with no slight benefit both as to science and art. Hence the 

 Govei'nment of your majesty proposes to organize a simple exhibit of such articles, 

 lenounciug, for lack of sufficient means and time, any more arduous enterprise. 

 From such an exposition might be gathered abundant fruits for the study of archae- 

 ology, anthropology, and above all of history, if. in view of the wishes of Spain and 

 still more of the occasion which inspires them, other nations should concur, as there 

 are many such possessing full collections of the desired objects. 



The coumiission constituted in February, 1888, had begun to discuss another sort 

 of exposition, and the present ministry has hastered to put it into execution. The 

 plan is to collect the greatest number possible of the specimens of Iberian produc- 

 tions anterier to the discovery of Ameri(>a, from the time when the new nations of 

 the Peninsula were being formed until, when triumphant within themselves, they 

 sought and found vast territories beyond the seas in which to extend their power. By 

 this means it will not only be possible but easy to compare the respective conditions 

 of culture of comj^uered and concjuerors at the time when they came together, without 

 discriminating among the latter, between S])aniard8 and Portuguese, although at 

 l)resent they belong to separate and independent states. The fame of incomparable 

 discoverers belongs to us in common, and Spain has always included Portugal in its 

 present plans. No one is ignorant that the cathedrals, churches, museums and 

 private galleries of the nobility of the Peninsula contain ])recious works of Iberian 

 art collected during the long period referred to, and, perhaps, for the greater part 

 unknown. It maybe hoped, therefore, that this second exposition, combined with 

 the first, will redound to the credit of both. 



Meanwhile, it is an important fact that the jiresent ministry does not forget that 

 these two enterprises are not restricted by their official ch.aracter, but will rather 

 stimulate the zeal of private individuals, in general, and that of their several and 

 independent centers of action, .\nyoue who wishes to do so may bring to the com- 

 mon treasiiry his intelligence and abilities with all the enthusiasm and freedom he 

 possesses. But it cannot be denied that it is necessary that between the private 

 individuals and the officials there should be established sufficient union as to render 

 each other effectual assistance, and avoid, at least, disturbing each other in their 

 respective efforts, so that the free actions of each may not degenerate into anarchy. 

 And in fact it must be stated that this is not the least of the means, in virtue of 

 which, the ministry now proposes to your majesty to appoint a committee of direc- 

 tion which shall concentrate, assist, and lend organic force to all the elements offered 

 to the enterprise. 



As a matter of course your majestj^'s ministry will still have the supreme control, 

 because of its greater powers and its national character; but this will not interfere 

 with any private efforts which coincide with the endeavors to obtain a good result. 



The expositions alluded to and many of the lai'ger entertainments will, of course, 

 take place in Madrid; but the ministry also desires that the assistance of the com- 

 mittee of direction, as well as that of the existing commission, should be extended 



