WHAT IS THE MELEAGER?

The CRIMSON publishes in its columns today a natural appeal from the Fine Arts Department for more interest in the Fogg Museum. It is evident that there is something wrong. This University is composed mainly of men who are seeking culture, who are supposed to have an intelligent respect for, and interest in literature, music and painting. At the same time, there are in the Fogg Museum works of art, which every one of these men would acknowledge to be worth knowing, and understanding. Nevertheless, in spite of this, there is a discouraging neglect of this valuable collection of art. It does not attract men, and they know nothing about it. It is an undoubted fact that the "Meleager" is better known in Berlin than in Cambridge, and it is also undoubtedly true that it should be better known in Cambridge than in Berlin.

There must be a fault somewhere. It is not with the Museum, for it not only possesses pictures famous the world over, but it provides a staff that is always ready to show the collections to students who wish for guidance.

How many people realize this? Almost none of those who need to realize it. The question then arises how can we start this interest. It is not a difficult task to convince a student that Italian paintings are worth while, or that he might get great benefit from studying the Meleager: he will admit that at the start. The trouble comes in trying to lead him towards the Museum, and bring him to the realization of what these treasures mean. However much men may acknowledge their negligence, they do not yet realize it. In some way a current must be started that will bring them to the Fogg Museum. The first step in this direction is to advertise. We call everyone's attention therefore to this appeal of the Fine Arts Department, and hope that every man, who hopes for culture, will fell called upon to find out what the Meleager is.