ON NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUMS. 37 



distinguished professor." 55 Many a true word is proverbially 

 spoken in jest, and, in conclusion, I commend this idea to our 

 Curator, who happens to be much interested in talking machines. 

 We already have in the Essex Museum, for the use of the 

 public, a microscope and a spinthariscope. Why not a 

 phonograph ? 



In now relinquishing the honourable position to which your 

 suffrages kindly, and quite undeservedly, called me two years 

 ago, I am anxious to express my deep sense of obligation to the 

 officers, the Council, and the members generally — but especially 

 to the Honorary Secretaries — for the generous assistance and 

 loyalty which they have uniformly rendered to me, and for the 

 courteous indulgence which they have extended to me, during 

 my occupation of the presidential chair. The pleasure with 

 which I shall look back upon my tenure of this position will be 

 greatly enhanced by the feeling that I am succeeded by one so 

 much more worthy in every way to conduct the affairs of this 

 important organization. In Mr. Miller Christy, the Essex Field 

 Club has at once a local naturalist, who has made his mark by 

 a standard work on the Birds of Essex, and an antiquary who 

 is an acknowledged authority on many branches of county 

 history — one who has always been zealous in his support of 

 this Club in the past ; one who will, I feel sure, be yet more 

 zealous for its welfare in the future. 



55 "The Museum Question in Europe and America." The Museums Journal, vol. iii. 

 (1904), p. 248. 



