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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1916 Excerpt:...Johnston's will by action of the Court. In the light of subsequent events, it is very fortunate that such a step was deemed imperative and was taken, since it not only secured to the people a gift of great value, but also inspired an active and widespread interest in the subject. This benefaction came, it would seem, at the opportune time, as it was immediately followed by two gifts of exceptional size and importance, one from Mr. Charles L. Freer the other from Mr. William T. Evans, and by a number of smaller donations. The lack of space, soon to be overcome, has prevented active solicitation in behalf of this department, and has caused many would-be contributors to await the better accommodations which are at present in course of adjustment. It may now truly be said that the National Gallery has taken form and its continued progress seems assured, although it is still too early to foretell its future scope. For many years all the departments of the Museum have been in an overcrowded condition, amounting almost to confusion among those immense collections which are not on public exhibition. The large additional area to be afforded by the new building will permit the 87 restoration of order and the entire reorganization of the collections. One of the first acts will be to assemble the recent donations of paintings, excepting those of Mr. Freer, together with a few from the older collections and several interesting loans. To an account of this worthy nucleus the following pages are entirely restricted. THE HARRIET LANE JOHNSTON COLLECTION Mrs. Harriet Lane Johnston, the niece of James Buchanan, who accompanied him when minister abroad and who was mistress of the White House during his term as President, had assembled at her home in Washington some important...