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BRITISH MUSEUM AND ITS ABUSES. 



DURING the two last sessions of parliament select committees have 

 been employed in ascertaining- from the examination of evidence 

 whether the British Museum could not be better managed than 

 under the present system of government, and whether its various 

 collections connected with science and literature are made so available 

 as they ought to be to the public, who are virtually its supporters. 



In these observations we shall first enquire what were the inten- 

 tions of the institution. Secondly, we shall briefly describe its his- 

 tory. And, in the third and last place, some of the defects in the con- 

 stitution will be considered. And we shall hazard some few observa- 

 tions respecting the inefficiency of the parliamentary enquiry. 



With respect to the intention of the institution no statement can be 

 more conclusive than that given in the preamble of the act of incor- 

 poration (26 Geo. II.). 



" Whereas all arts and sciences have a connection with each other, and dis- 

 coveries in natural philosophy, and other branches of speculative knowledge, 

 for the advancement and improvement whereof the said Museum or collection 

 was intended, do and may, in many instances, give help and success to the 

 most useful experiments and inventions ; therefore, to the end that the said Mu- 

 seum may be preserved and maintained, NOT ONLY FOR THE INSPECTION AND 



ENTERTAINMENT OF THE LEARNED AND THE CURIOUS, BUT FOR THE GENERAL 



USE AND BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC, be it enacted," &c. An Act to incorporate 

 the British Museum. 



To this we may add the no less convincing evidence of some of the 

 officers of the place, who would seem to be the enemies of all im- 

 provement. Mr. Forshall, the secretary and keeper of the MSS., says 

 as follows : 



[612.] " I have always looked upon the Museum as the great national store- 

 house of literature, arts, and science, and that its chief object is to assist per- 

 sons engaged in any of these pursuits ; but IT is ALSO IMPORTANT AS A PLACE 

 OF INNOCENT AND INSTRUCTIVE AMUSEMENT for the population of the me- 

 tropolis." 



Mr. Konig^s evidence was to the following effect : 



[2908.] " Do you not think that a national collection ought rather to induce 

 and stimulate enquiry than to furnish information to those who are already 

 learned ? He replies, Certainly, it may be considered the chief object, in 

 forming these collections, to stimulate the exertions of the unlearned; but 

 whether or not the British Museum has that effect, I cannot say." 



Mr. Gray, one of his assistants in the Natural History department 

 of the Museum is still more explicit : 

 M. M.-No. 3 R 



