THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM— EARLY HISTORY— ETHERIDGE. 71 



There is in existence a curious old incomplete work, pub- 

 lished in Sydney in 1835 : — " Joui'iiey to the Australian Alps," 

 by a learned scientific Pole, Dr. John Lhofsk}-, termed by Mr. 

 G. B. Barton, in his " Literature of Xew South Wales," 1866, 

 "an eccentric personage." At p. 57 Lhotsky wrote: — 



" It was under the administration of Governor Darling that a 

 Museum was very judiciously founded " ; 



then follow quotations (as under) of Voted Estimates, which 

 are curious to say the least of it, and at tbe same tixue supplies 

 ns with an early custodian title, that of " Colonial Zoologist." 



"COLONIAL ESTIMATES VOTED." 



"1831 (for 1832). No detailed expenditure is to be found. But a 

 salary wliich was voted in 1833 was beyond doubt also voted 

 at an earlier period. ' ' 



"1832 (for 1833). Colonial Museum, Colonial Zoologist ... =£130 

 Purchase of specimens, etc." ... ... ... 70 



200 



" 1833 (for 1834). Colonial Museum. Colonial Zoologist ... il30 

 Pui'chase of specimens, etc." ... ... ... 70 



200 



" 183-4 (for 1835) . Towards the support of the Colonial Museum 

 ,£200. The latter item is a mere shift, in consequence of tbe 

 voting of a salary to a dead man, having been commented 

 upon at a Public Meeting, etc." 



The details of expenditure given by Lhotsky were purely 

 of a second-hand nature on his part. As : — 



" Estimate of the probable expenditure of the undermentioned 

 establishments forming a Charge on the Treasury of • New 

 South Wales' '' 



for the years 1833-3-t, amongst the establishments mentioned 

 was the " Colonial Museum." The above " Estimate " may be 

 found in the " New South Wales Calendar and General Post 

 Office Directory " respectively for 1833 (pp. 249, 266) and 

 1834 (p. 261), and it was from this source that Lhotsky no 

 doubt derived bis information. 



This 1833 volume of tbe " Directory " contains the following 



reference (p. xv.) to the Museum in an article devoted to a 



" Sketch of the Colonv " :— 



"A great improvement is daily taking place in the outward condi- 

 tion of several ranks of society. . . . For the general reader 



