It is satisfactory to learn that Sir Cecil Harcourt Smith
who, after fifteen years of enlightened administra- tion, has just retired from the post of Director of the South Kensington Museum has several plans of useful public• service in contemplation. He has told the London correspondent of the Manchester Guardian that he intends to give a good deal of time to the scheme for safeguarding Church treasures. Everyone interested in this subject, he said, knew of the disgraceful methods in the past. Church silver, beautiful carvings on altar screens and pews, coffers, chests, paintings in fresco and so on had been sold or destroyed or had been allowed to moulder away untended. There was no central body of real authority and knowledge to which the clergy and• church- wardens, who wished to do the right thing, could look for support and advice. About eight -years ago the much- required body was established in association with the South Kensington Museum. But there is still plenty of room for the development of its influence.
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