Letter: A Canaletto for Westminster Abbey

Sir: Some of your readers will be aware that on 9 July Sotheby's is auctioning a Canaletto of the interior of the Henry VII Chapel at Westminster Abbey. Many of us who have connections with the Abbey feel that it would be wonderful if the painting could be acquired by the Dean and Chapter and placed on public display.

We recall that in October 1995 the Abbey celebrated the completion of the magnificent restoration carried out over a period of 22 years. Obviously, and quite correctly, the Dean and Chapter could not call on reserves or make a further appeal to their generous benefactors for the purchase of a picture. However, should there be a potential benefactor who wished to buy the picture and donate it to the Abbey, I am sure that the whole nation would be grateful.

DAVID BOEHM

Lower Slaughter, Gloucestershire