Ferdinand von Mueller

2/5/81.

Being befriended, dear Mr. Bright, with the Consul General for Italy I have undertaken to interest myself in an endeavour, to secure some more of the splendid pieces of art and particularly of the statues now in the Exhibition for the Colony. It would be much a matter of regret, if these works of art had to be returned by the "europa" to Italy; and it is fortunate, that Sir Henry Parkes secured statues from the Italian Exhibition Court to the value of £2500 for the Sydney Museum, but a large number of the statues remained altogether unsold. The Italian Commissioners have telegraphed home, to advise a reduction in price, and thus an opportunity arises for obtaining some splendid additions of original statues for the Melbourne Gallery.

As you are a member of the trustees for the National Gallery, I venture to ask you, whether you would kindly bring this subject before your honored colleagues, and give it your own support. Arrangements might readily be made, by which the payment of any purchases for the Gallery could be effected in the next finance-year.

1

In M to C. Bright, 4 May 1881 (in this edition as 81.05.04a), Bright was asked to defer acting on the suggestion, as M had discussed the matter directly with the Chief Secretary.