To the Editor of the "Norta-Cuina Datty News."
Sir,—Mr. Sowerby's suggestion to the Rotary Club of a Museum of Natural History and Art for Shanghai, so ably seconded in your leader of yesterday, ought to catch the imagination of every public spirited citizen of this city. Here we are at the gateway of one of the greatest treasure fields in the world both in art and natural history, watching a stream of antique porcelains and bronzes and paintings of priceless value pass by to enrich other countries, while inland we witness the rapid extermination of game birds, all with scarcely a protest; and yet we have no store} house for the preservation of examples of Chinese art or of specimens of her fauna and flora. As a consequence the great majority of us, perhaps, live on from year to year with a total lack of appreciation of Chinese art and knowledge, the wonderful productions of nature that are to be found in the interior, while the thousands of visitors that come to our city each year leave in ignorance of the great treasures that may yet be found by the persevering.
It is true Shanghai possesses 'a number of private collections, notably those of K'ang Vu-wei, the Sheng family, Tang. Shao-yi, and" others, some of which are justly famous, but none of these is open to the public and are rarel¥ enjoyed even by the friends of the owners. Undoubtedly many of these collectors would be only too glad to bequeath or loan their collections to a properly constructed and suitably located museum and art gallery, in charge, of course, of a qualified curator and staff of as sistdnts. Thus we could have at the outset a very valuable exhibit with a minimum of expense, while permanent additions could be made from time to time as finances might warrant. In time Shanghai would Possess @ museum worthy of this city and of the art of this country. 1 would like to make the suggestion, therefore, that a permanent Museum Committee be formed without further delay. It should be composed of a dozen or more prominent Shanghai citizens, chiefly those who are intelligently interest-"ed in Chinese art, and they would constitute a responsible body that could solicit and receive funds for a building and endowment. The Pan-Pacific Association has long had in mind the formation of such a committee—the public is aware of what has been accomplished through its Good Roads and Entertainment committees—but to date has not discovered the right person to head it, You will notice from our letter-head that we have "Art Museum" on our list of committees, In Honolulu the Pan-Pacific Union has erected and maintains an Art Gallery and Commercial Museum that is a real credit to the city. Surely Shanghai can do as well—or better! The undersigned would be very glad to hear from your readers of any who might be willing to serve in the capacity suggested and if there is sufficient response convene a meeting in due course. I am, ete., Geo. A. Fiton, Hon. Secretary, Pan-Pacific Association.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.