326 MUSEUMS 



metal-work, carving, embroidery and such objects, and 

 also to pictures as well as to collections relating to natural 

 history. The chief reason for this is the enormous space 

 required in order to place permanently " on exhibition " 

 all the objects contained in our national art collections, 

 which are continually growing. The vast size of the 

 galleries required, if the entire collections are to be ex- 

 hibited so that the public may walk in and see anything 

 and everything in it, permanently displayed on walls or 

 in cases — entails gigantic and ever-increasing expenditure 

 of public funds. 



But this is not the only objection to these great gal- 

 leries. The multitude of objects — it may be of pictures — 

 exhibited creates a state of mind in the visitor which 

 prevents his enjoyment of the works of art so exhibited. 

 He is overwhelmed by the vastness of the series offered 

 for his examination and confused and distressed by the 

 close setting of things which require isolation and appro- 

 priate surroundings, each in its own special way, if they 

 are to be duly appreciated. Not only this, but pictures, as 

 well as other works of art, are, in consequence of the 

 necessity of placing them all in the great public galleries 

 used for the purpose, rarely placed in the most favour- 

 able conditions of lighting, and are very often so ill- 

 lighted as to lose all their beauty even if they are not 

 nearly invisible. More public money would be available 

 for the proper care and study of works of art were less 

 spent on the land, building and up-keep necessary for 

 huc^e galleries. 



The desirability of separating a large unexhibited 

 portion from the well-chosen and well-shown exhibited 

 portion of works of art, exclusive of pictures, is, I 

 believe, generally admitted. In the case of pictures 

 the opinion has been expressed that there would 

 be great difficulty in managing a reserved unexhibited 



