560 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 190.']. 



bronzes, too, are represented. The order and labeling was not satis- 

 factory, but a new installation was just going on. 



The museum eontains also loan collections from the South Kensing- 

 ton Museum in London. It was visited in 1901 by 375,179 persons, 

 half of whom attended during the evening." The opening of the 

 museum on Sundays begun only with April 1, 1901, and, on account 

 of its departure from custom, aroused much opposition; but Sunday 

 opening has since been introduced in Glasgow. The average attend- 

 ance on Sunday's up to the present time has been 1,297 persons'* (in 

 London. .s,.500; in Dublin, 5,000, in the corresponding nmseums). In 

 1897-98 the aimual expenditure exceeded $75,000. 



30. NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ANTIQUITIES. 



The National Museum of Antiquities was founded in 1780 and has 

 belonged to the nation since 1851. The new building, by R. Rowland 

 Anderson, costing $250,000 and very notable and attractive in its 

 exterior, was completed in 1890 and was a gift from John Ritchie 

 Findlay. It is in the comparatively broad Queen street, in close prox- 

 imit}^ to other houses. It is built in the Gothic style, not adapted for 

 housing collections, and in parts is insufficiently lighted. The director, 

 Dr. Joseph Anderson, himself regrets this, as well as the man}^ other 

 defects of the building. I mention it only for the purpose of call- 

 ing attention to the fact that museum buildings are almost universally 

 badly planned, because the architects do not seek, as they should, the 

 advice of experts. Unfortunately there are but few experts in such 

 matters. 



The building is of brick, which is treated on the interior somewhat 

 too roughly to be attractive. Light is obtained from both long sides, 

 but the Gothic windows admit too little. It is fireproof; without 

 proper ventilation; and heated by steam. The collection of antiquities 

 occupies the right wing of the building; the left contains the national 

 portrait gallery and a collection of casts and other objects relating 

 to art. The center of the building is occupied b}^ a large entrance 

 hall (with paintings), which takes up much room. The Museum of 

 Antiquities consists of a very comprehensive, valuable, and attractive 

 prehistoric and historic local (Scotch) collection, excellently arranged 

 in chronological order. The upright and horizontal cases are primi- 

 tive. The interior furniture cost $20,000. There is a considerable 

 library in a hall, lighted from above; also a small ethnographic collec- 

 tion, with valuable objects from the South Seas, some of which are old. 

 The building is open daily from 10 to 4; on two days of the week 



« During 1902 there were 441,370 visitors, 148,796 of whom came during the even- 

 ing. 



& During 1902; 1,501, together with 78,027; 1,165 on week days— together, 214,547. 



