24th February, 2014

Dear Mr. Editor,

We were all delighted to learn of the Davidson family’s generous donation of a valuable Edward James watercolour to the Bermuda National Museum and to read Dr. Edward Harris’ glowing

acknowledgment of the gift in his weekly column (“A Gig for Another Century,” Royal Gazette, 22nd February, 2014).

Without wishing to steal thunder from the Davidson bequest, one could wish that Dr Harris might also have recognised the donors of the three other Edward James paintings featured prominently in his article. This would have been a courtesy to the generosity and public spiritedness of past donors.

Scholarly etiquette, along with publishing standards requiring credit lines, seems to have slipped through the cracks — perhaps in the haste to meet a weekly deadline. Nevertheless, donors considering gifts to our cultural institutions might think twice if they believe their generosity will eventually be overlooked and unacknowledged, as is often the case in this column.

Heritage does matter.

Karla M. Hayward, Director (Retired)

Bermuda Archives