222 BRITISH MUSEUM. 



the trustees, by their treatment of them, evidently consider merely as 

 recommendations to be adopted or not as should seem fit to them, 

 and at the time most convenient to them. The resolutions of the 

 trustees are inserted in a note,* and the results are now before the 

 public. 



Thus has ended the parliamentary enquiry. The evidence 

 during- both sessions has been most conclusive in favour of every 

 point for which men of science and literature and the public in ge- 

 neral have a right to contend ; and from a mere enquiry nothing 

 further can be gained. The moral triumph has been complete ; but, 

 of course, in a select committee of the House of Commons a certain 

 regard must be paid to personal interests and to parliamentary 

 etiquette, so as to prevent any strong measures being used. It is to 

 be hoped that the next session will not have passed ere the chief re- 

 commendations shall have been put in practice. The public will not 

 rest content with trimming measures. Nothing less than a thorough 

 reform of the Museum will be generally satisfactory. The result 

 we shall await with patience. H. H. D. 



* u The Trustees proceed to consider these Resolutions, and having adverted to each 

 of them in order, Resolved as follows : 



" 1 . With respect to such matters in the first five Resolutions as appear to call 

 for the intervention of the Trustees, this Committee recommends the several points 

 to the serious consideration of the General Board of Trustees, whenever the oc- 

 casions arrive for giving practical effect to. these resolutions." 



"2. With respect to the 6th Resolution, this Committee advises the immediate 

 appointment of a Sub- Committee of Trustees, to make a Personal Survey of the 

 Museum, and in conjunction with the Heads of the existing Departments, and with 

 such other Gentlemen employed in the Museum as it may be thought expedient to 

 consult, to take into consideration and report to the General Board the best mode 

 of giving effect to the said Resolution. 



' " 3. With respect to the 7th, 9th, 10th, llth, 13th, and 14th Resolutions, the 

 subject-matter of which appear connected together, and have reference to new in- 

 ternal arrangements which may be immediately necessary, this Committee is of 

 opinion that the consideration'of these Resolutions, and of the best practical mode 

 of giving effect to the Recommendations which they involve, should be referred to 

 the same Sub-Committee to which the 6th Resolution is referred. 



" 4. That a special Memorandum be made of the Recommendations contained in 

 the 8th Resolution with a view of ensuring the attention of the Trustees to them on 

 the first opportunity of Vacancies.' 



" 5. With respect to the 12th Resolution, this Committee understands that 

 measures have been already taken for giving effect to the Recommendation contained 

 therein.'' 



" 6. This Committee is further of opinion that a General Meeting of the Trustees 

 should be convened at the earliest practicable period for the purpose of deliberat- 

 ing upon the Recommendations contained in the 15th Resolution, and of entering 

 into such communication with the Chancellor of the Exchequer as may appear ad- 

 visable, with reference to the Financial Considerations connected with the Report of 

 the Seleotommittee, and particularly with the 16th Resolution>f that Report. 

 " Extracted from the Minutes." 



" J. FORSHALL, Secretary." 



