350 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1903. 



classitiod l)y the .schools of art represented because individual collections 

 must remain intact in accordance with testamentary provisions. The 

 systematic arranj^^ement of such collections is rig-htly considered as of 

 less importance than their acquisition. Frequently, also, larj>-e sums 

 are beciueathed for their preservation. In the other halls of the 

 second story may also be noted the great collection of nnisical instru- 

 ments of all peoples and periods (concerning which a profusely illus- 

 trated work by M. E. and W. A. Brown appeared in 1888),«' the 

 ceramic collection, particularly from China and Japan, as also the 

 C^'prian g-old ornaments on exhibition in a room, which includes only 

 precious articles of every kind. 



A practical contrivance, which enables one to look through a series 

 of volumes of photographs without exposing them to injury, should 

 ])e mentioned. The books lie in glass desks, and when one wishes to 

 turn over the separate leaves it is necessary to reach through an opening 



Fk;. 12. —Metropolitan Museum of Art. Sketcli of completed building as planned. 



in front. Mhicli may be closed })y means of a slidt>. A catalogue of 

 the photographic collection may also l)e ust^d in like manner. 



The value of this Museum (I have only laid stress upon a portion of 

 it) is. notwithstanding its vouth, very great, and its further develop- 

 ment will be still more remarkable, as more objects of art are constantly 

 rtowing into the New World from the Old; so, in studying the art 

 history of Europe and Asia, the collection.s of the United States may 

 not in the future be overlooked.* - 



"Two catalogues of tliis collection have since been published, with illustrations. 



''We may here a<l(l some remarks which could not be so well embodied in the 

 text: 



The buildinj.rs he in about the same direction as the Natural History Museum. 

 The new building did not a])pearto me to be very happily joined to the old one. In 

 the old building the entrance of the light through the windows is unnecessarily 

 obstru(rt(Hl by the division of the windows into two parts and their shaded interior 

 l>osition. The exhibition in the great middle hall gives an unpleasant impression, 



