220 BRITISH MUSEUM. 



perfect classification of the Harley MSS.), and readers have the 

 trouble and vexation of looking through many volumes before they 

 can find the required document. Why is there not a general index 

 to the manuscripts '? But even a general index would be of little 

 service unless it was classed. It is a general classed index of the 

 MSS. that is wanted. And this directs our attention to the printed 

 books, which even more than the manuscripts require a classed cata- 

 logue ; inasmuch as all the valuable literature of our own country, 

 dating so late as the middle of the sixteenth century, may be found 

 in types. We hesitate not to say that nine-tenths of the present 

 readers use almost exclusively the printed books of the library. It 

 is to be hoped that many years will not have elapsed ere the cata- 

 logue that was so auspiciously begun shall have been re- commenced 

 and completed. In the mean time we should not forget that two sepa- 

 rate offers have been made by individual publishers to complete the 

 work from which the whole body of trustees shrunk on the ground of 

 expense. 



" 14. Resolved That it he recommended to the Trustees that every new acces- 

 sion to the Museum be forthwith registered in detail, by the officer at the 

 head of the department, in a book to be kept for that purpose, and that each 

 head of a department do make an annual report to the Trustees of the acces- 

 sions within the year, vouched by the signature of the principal librarian, of 

 desiderata, and of the state and condition of his own department." 



This is quite insufficient. It is due to the public that an advertise- 

 ment should be made in a regular manner in the most public 

 papers of the dates of such additions, in order that the public shall 

 know how soon the books or collections so received may be reason- 

 ably expected to be open to the general visitors of the Museum. The 

 Legislature is the only body besides, which ought to be respon- 

 sible for the Museum. 



" 1 5. Resolved That it be recommended to the Trustees to take into considera- 

 tion the best means of giving to the Public a facility of obtaining Casts from 

 the Statues, Bronzes, and Coins, under competent superintendence, and at as 

 low a price as possible." 



Every person connected with the arts, who is acquainted with the 

 a ntiquarian department of the Museum, is well aware that sufficient 

 provision has not been made for artists, particularly designers, carvers, 

 chasers, and others engaged in the practical and mechanical departments 

 of the arts. This recommendation demands immediate attention. 



"16. Resolved That the Committee are well aware that many of the altera- 

 tions, which they have suggested, cannot be carried into effect, except by 

 increased liberality on the part of Parliament, both with respect to the 



