398 KKCORDS OF THE AUSTBALIAX ML'SEDM. 



THE NAME "AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM" (pp. 72-3)— It is now 

 clear this name was in use before 1836. Mr. Hugh Wriglit called my 

 attention to the following. In the " Estimates of the probable Expenditure 

 of the undermentioned Establishments .... for the year 1835 " 

 (dated 12th June, 1834) is the following line : — 



" Australian Museum — Towards the support of the Institution . . . =£200." 



The same appears in the Minutes of the Legislative Council of 4tli 

 July, 1834. 



ALEXANDER MACDUFF BAXTER (p. 67)— He was appointed 

 Attorney-General previous to May, 1826, arrived in Sydney 3 1st July, 

 1827^*^*^, and succeeded Saxe Bannister in that office. He is mentioned in 

 Judge J. S. Dowling's " Reminiscences," as taking part in the discussion 

 on 11th June, 1829, on the so-called separation of the Bar into Barristers 

 and Attorneys3W_ He appears to have come under the displeasure of 

 Governor-General Darling who doubted his capacity as a lawyer. He 

 resigned in 1831, and was nominated by charter " Puisne Judge " at 

 Hobart. His differences with Governor Darling were aggravated by 

 domestic troubles. After some delay he returned to New South Wales, 

 and thence to Great Britain, where he died^*'"-. As to his endeavour to 

 establish a Museum the following extract from the " Sydney Gazette,"' 

 17th September, 1829-^03^ for which I am again indebted to Mr. William 

 Dixson, is explanatory' : — 



" Tiie idea started by our respected Attorney-General some twelve months ago, 

 of establishing a Museum in this ' land of contrarieties,' appears to have 

 fallen still-born to the ground. It was a good idea, nevertheless ; and we 

 heartily wish the learned gentleman would set about realizing it in right 

 good earnest." 



Those who read the first part of these "Fragments" will at once 

 grasp how I arrived at 1827 as the approximate year in which this 

 Museum commenced its career. By a fortunate visit to the Mitchell 

 Library my assistant, Mr. W. W. Thorpe, came across the following copy 

 of a despatch from Earl Bathurst to Governor-General Dailing which 

 com[)letely substantiates my date: — 



Colonial Office, 

 N.S.W. Enlrii Book, .S. 

 Bathurst — E. Darling, 30-3-27. Downing Street, 



Lt. -General Darling, 



Etc. Etc. Etc. 



30 March, 1827 



No. 16. 



Sir. 



It having ])een represented to me that it would be very desirable 

 were the Governt. to afford its aid towards tlie formation of a Publick 

 Museum at New South Wales where it is stated that many rare and curious 



^'^w Howe's " Australian Almanac" for 1829, p. 145. 



ao' "Old Times," i., pt. 2, 1903, p. 120. 



:iua West— History of Tasmania, i., 1852, p. 162. 



»o» Sydney Gazette, xxvii.. No. 1711, 17th September, 1829. 



