THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM. 



'9 



'A good museum is a collection of good labels, illustrated by care- 

 fully selected specimens.' Much time and thought has been expended 

 in tbe endeavor to tell to the observer in simple and intelligible lan- 

 guage the truth which the collections are intended to illustrate. In 

 order to enlist the interest of children a series of prizes has been 

 annually offered to the pupils in the high-schools and the upper classes 

 in the grammar-schools of the city of Pittsburgli. The prizes are 

 awarded to those who shall write the best essay upon some subject illus- 

 trated by the collections contained in the Museum. Thirty-eight prizes, 



A Section of the Andrew (Carnegie Naturalists' Club in Session. 



ranging in value from $35 to $2, were offered in 1900. Eight hundred 

 and forty-three essays were submitted in competition. The decision 

 of the awards is made by a committee of judges consisting of thirty of 

 the most cultivated ladies and gentlemen of the city, among them a 

 number of eminent clergymen, lawyers, editors and authors. The plan 

 requires on the part of the contestants a personal visit to the Museum 

 and the study of the collections. During the month preceding the 

 close of the contest the Museum was at times crowded by eager throngs 

 of intelligent boys and girls armed with note-books and pencils. The 

 delicious compliment of imitation has been paid to the Carnegie Mu- 



