218 BRITISH MUSEUM. 



throughout the months of May, June, July, and August, and that the read- 

 ing-room be opened throughout the year at nine o'clock in the morning.'* 



One of the greatest evils one that has been more complained of 

 than any other is here left untouched without even the recommenda- 

 tion of reform. The Museum library is the national storehouse of 

 literature ; and its books should be at once liberally thrown open to 

 the reading public, and to those 'among others whose occupations give 

 them respectability and standing in society. Those who are not pro- 

 fessionally literary men, or mere idlers, are excluded by their occupa- 

 tions. Barristers and other professional men have a right to be 

 considered ; and we trust that the question of an evening reading- 

 room will be unceasingly agitated by men of letters, until the object 

 shall have been gained. The winter evenings require artificial 

 light, which, if badly managed, might set fire to the building ; but 

 surely, during six months, the natural light of the sun would be found 

 sufficient until seven in the evening. This, however, after all, is not 

 sufficient. The rooms should be open, like the libraries of the Royal 

 and London Institution, to all who visit the Museum for purposes of 

 study. The expense of extra servants is too paltry for consideration. 

 The Museum library thirty years ago that is, before it was generally 

 used was opened in the evening during two days of the week when 

 not open in the morning, (See Sir Henry Ellis's evidence.) This was 

 an arrangement made for the convenience of the officers an alteration, 

 not an extension, of the hours of admission. Besides, to reason from 

 the inutility of evening admission in 1801, when scarcely twenty 

 readers could ever be counted in the rooms, and to contend that it is 

 needless at present, when the readers amount to several thousands, is 

 absolutely ridiculous, a weak invention of the enemy ! 



" 10. Resolved that it is desirable that the Museum be hereafter opened 

 during the Easter, Whitsun, and Christmas weeks, except Sundays and Christ- 

 mas-day." 



The public rooms of the Museum should be open on every day during 

 the holiday weeks, not merely on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fri- 

 days, as at other times. The mass of the people should have every 

 opportunity afforded them of spending a rational holiday. The pro- 

 vision of innocent enjoyment for the lower orders will effect more 

 than many sermons and prohibitions against licentious revelry. 



"11. Resolved that it is expedient that the Trustees should revise the sa- 

 laries of the Establishment, with the view of ascertaining what increase may 

 be required for carrying into effect the foregoing Resolutions, as well as of ob- 

 taining the whole time and services of the ablest men, independently of any 



