16 LIFE OF SIR HANS SLOANE. 



superiority, — never were the futility of such things alone more strikingly 

 illustrated than in the present instance, " seeing that wise men also 

 die and perish together, as well as the ignorant and foolish, and leave 

 their riches to others." Blessed are they who, like Sir Hans Sloane, 

 rate such pursuits at their real value, as preparatory to a higher state 

 of existence ; and who, like him, " having provided fo, their own," 

 bestow their superfluities on the improvement of their fellow-men. 

 Such men are the " salt of the earth." 



As the founder of the British Museum, he merits the admiration 

 of every one to whom the national progress in literature, science, and 

 art is dear. If we rightly appreciate the advantages of an institution, 

 calculated to foster a taste for those pursuits that elevate man above 

 sensual appetites and sordid gain — an institution intended to assist 

 the author, the artist, and the philosopher in their several studies — 

 an institution which on the most liberal scale, is open to all who, from 

 an enlightened curiosity, may wish to inspect, or for particular pur- 

 poses to consult it, — if such an institution is valued in an age 

 distinguished by its efforts to educate all classes, it is to Sir Hans 

 Sloane the merit is due, — to him is owing not merely the respect of 

 all who, like ourselves, are engaged in the promotion of the delightful 

 study of Natural History, but the gratitude of the nation at large. 



