19 1 2. SCHARFF. — On Pi'ovmcial Miiscurns. 87 



The various features connected with the water supply, 

 hghting, and disposal of sewerage, are all capable of illustra- 

 tion in a Museum. These subjects, as well as the con- 

 struction of roads in ancient and modern times are beautifully 

 shown by models in the great Bavarian vScience Museum at 

 Munich. 



As regards the method of arranging objects, great changes 

 are now being made in several Museums with a view to 

 improving the teaching value of the collections. The 

 selection and grouping of objects and their preservation, 

 the background, the colour of the rooms and the style 

 of cases are all worth consideration.. Hitherto wooden cases 

 were almost universally employed in Museums. Within 

 recent years, however, it has been discovered that metal 

 is far preferable to wood. Although the cost of -metal 

 exceeds that of wood, the advantage of the use of metal is 

 so obvious that the difference in price cannot influence 

 the choice. Metal cases are more readily made dust-proof, 

 they are more fire- proof, more durable and less apt to warp. 

 Such cases have been adopted in several of the great British 

 and Continental Museums and are in every respect con- 

 sidered satisfactory. 



Now when we come to the building itself by far the most 

 important feature is that ample daylight should be available 

 for every room and every nook and corner. Some authorities 

 prefer top-light, others are in favour of side-light. But for 

 many objects, particularly small ones, a strong side-light has 

 certainly a great advantage over top-light. The Museum 

 building should be constructed as far as possible of fireproof 

 material. I have mentioned that the collections of every 

 large Museum must necessarily be arranged into two series — 

 namely, an exhibited series and a reserve or study series. 

 The officials of a provincial Museum might be anxious to 

 curtail or even do without the latter, owing to want of space. 

 But the Museum could scarcely manage to fulfil its proper 

 functions if some provisions are not made for the safe 

 storage of study and reserve collections. It is incumbent, 

 therefore, on those who plan a local museum to make 

 ample provision for the storing of such objects and their 



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