Much later, through the intervention of the Duke of Cambridge, the collection was arranged as it now stands, and the donor’s bust, the work of Conolly, presented by Sir David Dundas, was removed from the Committee-room, and placed in its present position; this was accomplished in the month of October, 1850.
The catalogue, the great expectation and hope of Mr. Grenville, now demands our special attention.
A report was, therefore, sent to the Trustees:—
“February 11, 1847.
“When Mr. Grenville was pleased to inform Mr. Panizzi that his collection would become the property of the Trustees, he informed him also of his wishes, which he would express, and which Mr. Panizzi took on himself to say would be undoubtedly attended to by the Trustees, as much as if they were conditions attached to his bequest—
1st. That the whole of his collection should be kept together and unbroken.
2nd. That the remainder of his catalogue should be printed.
The Trustees are aware that there are two volumes of the catalogue printed. It was compiled by Messrs. Payne & Foss, who have the manuscript in slips of the whole. It occurred to Mr. Panizzi that the cheapest and shortest way of carrying the second wish of Mr. Grenville into execution would be to purchase the manuscript titles, and with this view Mr. Panizzi had a conversation with Mr. Foss, who, at his request, has made the proposal specified in the accompanying letter.
Mr. Panizzi is of opinion that Mr. Foss’s terms ought to be accepted, in which case the unprinted part of Mr. Grenville’s catalogue might be sent to press almost immediately, and the whole completed in an uniform manner.
Mr. Panizzi thinks that it is very desirable to accept this proposal for the sake of economy and despatch. If the Trustees will allow him to treat with Mr. Foss he thinks he, perhaps, might obtain some slight modification of the terms now suggested.”