P.S.—On second thoughts, I send you the Catalogue, which you will return to me before Wednesday. You had better have a copy made of this Catalogue, and keep it in case any accident should happen to the original.
P.”
[A]. The Biographer’s Father of whom more particular mention will be made hereafter.
Panizzi immediately afterwards sent for Mr. Oldfield, then an Assistant in the Antiquity Department of the British Museum, and directed him to proceed at once to Naples, in order to report on the Collection, and superintend its departure. His instructions ran thus:—
“B. M., September 20th, 1856.
“Dear Sir,
After the full conversation which we have had on the subject of the Sir William Temple’s legacy of his collection of antiquities to the Trustees of the British Museum, it is unnecessary for me to say more on that part of the subject, but I have accordingly to request that you will take means for leaving this country to repair to Naples without delay. There the collection, I understand, is still in the house which Sir William inhabited at Naples, and the objects will be delivered up to you by George Fagan, Esq. (Attaché to H. M’s Legation), who is in possession of a full and descriptive catalogue of the said collection, and who is to act for Viscount Palmerston, the heir and sole executor of the Will of his late brother. You will, of course, give an acknowledgment to Mr. Fagan of what you receive.
The collection being speedily and carefully packed up, you will make it your duty, without loss of time, to enquire by what means it may be best transmitted to England. Acting for our Trustees, I have applied to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, requesting them to order any of Her Majesty’s ships that might be available, touching at Naples on its way to England, to receive on board the packages containing the said collection, the same being for public use and benefit, and should you be successful in obtaining such means of conveyance, you are requested to avail yourself of it in preference to any other, even if the arrival of the collection were to be thereby delayed. This delay would be of comparatively little importance; what is really essential is that the collection should be carefully packed up and safely removed on board without loss of time.
If no such conveyance can be obtained, you will then forward the collection to England by the readiest and safest means available to the best of your judgment, and after having consulted with the gentleman in charge of Her Majesty’s Legation, or with Her Majesty’s Consul General at Naples.
As to the expenses you may have to incur for packing, packing-cases, transport of the objects from the Minister’s House to the ship, on board of which they are to be placed, you are empowered to draw on me, either at a month after date or ten days after sight, for the amount, advising me of having so drawn, and carefully preserving the vouchers which justify the expense. Should you be obliged to remain at Naples more than is now contemplated, and find the sum of £50, which I have placed in your hands to meet your travelling and personal expense, insufficient, you are authorized to draw for £50 more on the same terms as above. On your return to England you will be so good as to transmit to me a statement of your expenses, accompanied by such vouchers as may be necessary, in order that they may be laid before the Standing Committee.