4 7 4 Nattiral Histm-y in the English Counties. 



Yorkshire. 



Scarborough Museum. — Amongst the numerous interesting objects with 

 which Scarborough abounds, the new museum now stands most prominent 

 and attractive. It is situate to the south of the bridge, on an ascending 

 piece of ground, and is seen from the sands rising majestically above that 

 beautiful erection. 



The museum is a rotunda of the Roman Doric order, 37 ft. 6 in. in ex- 

 ternal diameter, and 50 ft. high. The basement contains, y;ro tevqjore, the 

 library, keeper's room, and laboratory. When sufficient funds arc obtained, 

 it is proposed to place these accessories in wings radiating from the central 

 building, which will then be entirely used as a museum. The principal 

 room is 35 ft. high, and is lighted by a central eye or opening. The beau- 

 tiful Hackness stone, the munificent gift of Sir John B. Johnstone, Bart., 

 has been employed in this building. The fossils, which are very numerous, 

 are arranged on sloping shelves, in the order of their strata, showing at 

 one view, the whole series of the kingdom. A horizontal shelf below sus- 

 tains the generic arrangement of fossil shells. Amongst the collection of 

 fossils, which is one of the most perfect in England, are two admirable as- 

 semblages of local fossils, one purchased of Mr. Williamson, and the other 

 presented to the Society by Mr. Duesbury, being the valuable collection of 

 the late Mr. Hinderwell. The birds and animals are placed above the 

 geological arrangement ; so that every part of the museum can be seen at 

 once. The whole expense of the building, fitting up, &c., will be about 

 1400/., of which 1100/. has been raised. The remainder, if not contributed 

 by the liberality of the friends of science, must be raised by loan, on interest. 

 A donation of 25/. constitutes a proprietor's share, which is transferable at 

 all times by will or sale, and confers a perpetual right of admission on the 

 family of the owner. A donation of 5/. confers the same perpetual right on 

 the families of strangers. The terms of admission to casual visitors are 

 reasonable ; and the receipts from this source go to pay the keeper, Mr. 

 Williams, who is always there to explain the geology of the district. 



The building has been erected from designs by Mr. R. H. Sharp, architect, 

 of this city, on whom it reflects much credit. 



At a public dinner on the opening of this museum, on the 31st of August, 

 an interesting history of its rise and progress was given. It appears that Mr. 

 Dunn, the secretary, convened a meeting at his own house in 1820, which 

 consisted, he states, " of Mr. Hinderwell, the possessor, at that time, of the 

 best collection in the town, and which has since been liberally presented to 

 the museum by Mr. Duesbury j Mr. Travis, whose botanical researches are 

 acknowledged by some of the best writers of the day; Mr. Bean, who was 

 then aspiring to the meridian of glory which he has since attained ; and Mr. 

 Smith, the father of English geology, whose connection with any institution 

 would form one of the brightest gems in its diadem. After maturely con- 

 sidering whether a society could be formed at Scarborough or not, Mr. 

 Hinderwell informed us he had promised his own collection to his nephew, 

 and from his age and declining health could not take an active part in its 

 formation. We consequently postponed the accomplishment of our wishes 

 till a more favourable period ; hoping, that when Sir John Johnstone re- 

 sided in our neighbourhood he would patronise our undertaking. In this 

 we have not been deceived, and before Sir John made his tour to Italy, he 

 offered to call a meeting together; but the intellectual atmosphere of Scar- 

 borough had not yet acquired that temperature which would be congenial 

 to the growth of so tender a plant. I cannot but lament the circumstance, 

 because if we had been ripe enough we might have formed the first link of 

 that splendid chain of philosophical institutions which has since adorned 

 this country. But if we had not the courage to dare to lead, we deserve 

 \o follow. As to the objects of the institution, allow me to say, that to give 



