t of the fine arts. By
the same decree they are likewise forbidden to alienate works of art
or historical monuments placed in churches. Nine years later, in 1835,
in view of the importance of assuring the preservation of all national
monuments remarkable for their antiquity, their association, or their
artistic value, another decree was issued constituting a Royal
Commission for the purpose of advising as to the repairs required by
such monuments. Nearly 200,000 francs are annually voted for
expenditure for these purposes. The strict application of these
precautionary measures has allowed a number of monuments of the
highest interest in their relation to art and archaeology to be
protected and defended, but it does not appear that the Government
controls in any way those monuments which are in the hands of private
persons.[64]

[64] _Ibid._

In Holland public money to the extent of five or six thousand pounds a
year is spent on preserving and maintaining national monuments and
buildings of antiquarian and architectural interest. In Germany steps
are being taken which we might follow with advantage in this country,
to control and limit the disfigurement of landscapes by advertisement
hoardings.

A passage from the ministerial order of 1884 with reference to the
restoration of churches may be justly quoted:--

"If the restoration of a public building is to be completely
successful, it is absolutely essential that the person who directs
it should combine with an enlightened aesthetic sense an artistic
capacity in a high degree, and, moreover, be deeply imbued with
feelings of veneration for all that has come down to us from
ancient times. If a restoration is carried out without any real
comprehension of the laws of architecture, the result can only be
a production of common and dreary artificiality, recognizable
perhaps as belonging to one of the architectural styles, but
wanting the stamp of true art, and, therefore, incapable of
awakening the enthusiasm of the spectator."

And again:--

"In consequence of the removal or disfigurement of monuments which
have been erected during the course of centuries--monuments which
served, as it were, as documents of the historical development of
past periods of culture, which have, moreover, a double interest
and value if left undisturbed on the spot where they were
originally erected--the sympathy of congregations with the
history of th