Letter to Mr Burton

Explaining that a forwarded letter from Lord Granville is enclosed. It was not sent earlier as the Gallery was unsure as to whether or not Mr Burton was still in Dresden. A copy of a letter from M. Molliez of the Louvre is also enclosed, copied because the original was very indistinctly written. Molliez has been told that Burton may return to London via Paris. The Treasury has been given official notice of the death of Paines, and Burton's recommendation for his replacement has been conveyed by letter. The recommendation has not been followed, and another nominee has been appointed to the office of assistant porter. The present staff are to be promoted in accordance with custom however [each porter promoted to the newly vacant position above their previous grade]. Another piece of correspondence concerns 'a so-called Lanino' that is offered for sale by F. Poggi of Milan. Two further pieces of correspondence that are included with the letter are both from the Treasury. The first letter concedes that pictures consigned to the Gallery from the continent may be forwarded unopened, while the second letter is the annual circular relating to the Estimate for 1880 - 1881 which must be ready by 1 Dec. The new flooring will hopefully be completed within the week, one room is finished and the pictures in it hung. Nothing else has occured in relation to the annual closing of the Gallery, with the exception of 'the usual grumble in some of the Papers' about the fact that the Gallery has been shut.