BRITISH MUSEUM. 209 



manuscripts originally consisted of the Harleian, Sloanian, 

 and Cottonian collections, enriched by highly valuable papers from 

 the royal library given by George II. The late marquis of Lans- 

 downe'sMSS. (purchased for 4,900/.), chiefly consisting of the Burgh- 

 ley papers and archbishop Kennett's MSS., were added |in 1807. 

 The Hargreave law MSS. were purchased in 1813 ? and Dr. Burney's 

 classical MSS. in 1818. Two valuable oriental collections are in the 

 Museum one made by Mr. Rich, when consul at Bagdad, and 

 purchased in 1S25, the other bequeathed by J. F. Hull, Esq. in 1827 

 The late earl of Bridgewater left a collection of MSS. in 1829, with 

 5,000/. for further purchases, and 7,000. more, the interest of which 

 should pay a separate librarian. This librarian has never been ap- 

 pointed, and the proceeds go into the pockets of Sir H. Ellis and Mr. 

 Forshall. The Howard Arundel MSS. were purchased from the 

 Royal Society in 1831, at an expense of 3,600Z. There are many 

 other smaller collections, of considerable value ; but those above 

 mentioned are the most conspicuous. 



The natural history collection is founded on that of Sir Hans 

 Sloane, who, in this as well as every other department, may 

 truly be called the father of that great institution. Large additions 

 were made, corresponding with the rapid progress of science ; pur- 

 chases were completed at different times, and, at the present day, 

 the natural history collection holds a very respectable station among 

 the museums of Europe. The collection of minerals left by Sir H. 

 Sloane, though rich, was deficient, made as it was almost before the 

 existence of scientific mineralogy ; but it has since been enlarged 

 from time to time, chiefly by the Hatchett and Greville minerals, 

 which last were bought by parliament for 13,730/. This depart- 

 ment is, perhaps, the most complete in the museum. The arrange- 

 ment is on the system of Berzelius. 



The department of antiquities is one of much later date than 

 those above mentioned ; for, in the infancy of the Museum, the few 

 antiquities then deposited were appended to the natural history : the 

 coins and medals were classed with the MSS., and the engravings 

 with the printed books. Sir William Hamilton's collection of vases 

 and other Greek and Roman antiquities were purchased in 1772 for 

 8,400J. The Egyytian marbles were deposited by order of Geo. III- 



in 1801, and the Townley marbles in 1805.; and these large addi- 



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