THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 501 



in regard to the solution of widely distributed minerals in certain 

 rocks, and their subsequent concentration in ore bodies by metaso- 

 matic action. All the metals could be arranged under such a clas- 

 sification, as also the nonmetallic products. The preparation of 

 such an exhibit would require many years of work, the details of 

 which would be considered as each mineral product was taken in 

 hand. 



4. The fourth direction of development is toward the require- 

 ments of a National University, which has already been sufficiently 

 dwelt upon in this connection. 



Children's Museum. — The children gain a fair amount of in- 

 formation from the general exhibit in any well-arranged museum, 

 but it is desirable that their interest should be aroused by having 

 certain exhibits made expressly for them. I would have a space 

 set aside in each of the three departments in which nothing should 

 be exhibited except for the children. It might be called a Museum 

 Kindergarten. 



Some of the preceding suggestions have been adopted by the 

 museum authorities and partially put into execution, and the carry- 

 ing of them out is dependent upon enlarged facilities for laboratory 

 work and exhibition space. During the administration of Dr. 

 Goode the museum developed as far as possible under the condi- 

 tions surrounding it. No one knew better than he that only by 

 securing new buildings and expanding the museum could it take the 

 place in America that the several national museums of Europe have 

 taken in their respective countries. It is well recognized that a 

 public museum is a necessity in every highly civilized community, 

 and that, as has been so well stated by Dr. Goode, " the degree of 

 civilization which any nation, city, or province has attained is best 

 shown by the character of its public museums and the liberality 

 with which they are maintained." At present New York city is, 

 in this respect, in advance of all other American cities and of the 

 national Government. Whether the latter will take its proper 

 place by developing the National Museum as it has developed 

 the National Library remains to be seen. The question whether 

 they are willing to be represented by the museum as it is to- 

 day is one that the American people should consider and decide 

 at an early date; meantime, it is the duty of all interested in 

 the advancement of science and education to aid by every means 

 in their power the development of a National Musum that will 

 be trulv national and American. 



