592 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1903. 



und the valiuihlo publications of this most jvistly famous museum, 

 as it would lead me too far. Besides, Paris is easily accessit)le to 

 everyone and a desirable place to visit. 1 will only remark that the 

 exhibit, so far as the contracted space allows, is very good; the label- 

 ing, however, is so deticient as to oblige one to purchase the guides 

 and catalogues. The labeling of the ceramic collection is especiallv 

 defective, although not in the same degree as in many other museums. 

 Ground floor: Chinese and Japanese ceramics; Siam and Cambodia. 

 Second floor: Indian, Chinese, Japanese religions; Indo-China. Third 

 floor: elapanese paintings; Greek, Roman, and Egyptian antiquities; 

 Korea. The departments relating to Japanese religions and the other 

 Japanese collections impressed me as the most noteworthy and as most 

 thoroughly worked up and labeled. The nephrite collection contains 

 wonderful specimens. At all events the museum is in its field unex- 

 celled, though it is capable of improvement as to technical museum 

 arrangement. Theannual expenditure is $9, .500, nothing being allowed 

 for purchases; Mr. Guimet has thus far himself provided for these in 

 some cases. The increase in the collections, therefore, depends mostly 

 on donations. 



LOUVRE. 



1 refer only ))riefl3' to the Louvre, which 1 also visited on two 

 occasions. The collections are of exaggerated extent. The installa- 

 tion is in general antiquated and little cared for; the labelling unsatis- 

 factory. I received the impression that an energetic hand could 

 improve the existing conditions. It apparently sufi'ers also from lack 

 of means. While formerly (as late as 1889) umbrellas and canes could 

 be carried among the collections, they must now be checked (without 

 charge). The danger of tire in the Louvre is great. The most })eau- 

 tif ul is the new Rubens Gallery, opened in 1900, and excellently lighted, 

 which can not be said of the adjoining Van Dyck hall, also opened in 

 1900, nor of most of the Louvre halls. The Marine and P^thnographic 

 Museum on the third floor is in the same defective condition that it 

 was when I saw it eleven years ago. It is in some respects very rich 

 in specimens, })ut it is not scientifically fitted up, and its installation is 

 as unfavorable as can be imagined. The collection of Japanese and 

 Chinese porcelains (collection Grandidier), containing a])out 4,000 spec- 

 imens, in a poorly lighted half story, is carelessly installed in cases, 

 and it is entirely undetermined and unlabeled. I saw nothing in the 

 Louvre in the way of museum construction or technique which would 

 be worthy of reproduction in a new building. I do not wish, however, 

 to put myself in the light of one overlooking the importance of the 

 Louvre among the museums of the world. 



GALLIERA MUSEUM. 



The Musee de Galliera is a sumptuous building in the Italian renais- 

 sance style, by Ginain, in the neighborhood of the Musee Guimet, 



