president's address. 35 



History, it is impossible not to recognise the value of good 

 collections of specimens, and convenient opportunities for ob- 

 serving them. The formation of Museums, for popular instruc- 

 tion, has lately occupied, and will, it is trusted, continue to 

 occupy, the attention of Government. In vain, however, would 

 the statesman endeavour to diffuse such advantages unless aided 

 by active and intelligent local co-operation ; and here it is, that 

 Societies like the present may be of great use, by guiding the 

 public mind in a right direction towards a scientific develop- 

 ment of whatever, in such matters, tends to gratify and instruct. 

 In the formation of Museums, large apartments, and architectural 

 decoration, too frequently receive an undue share of attention, 

 whereas a number of rooms, of moderate size, are better adapted 

 for classification and study. I was much impressed with this on 

 a recent view of the Museum at Copenhagen, containing the 

 sculptured works of Thorwalsden. On the ground-floor are spa- 

 cious halls for equestrian and other large statues ; but by far the 

 greater part of the collection is arranged in thirty-five separate 

 rooms, of moderate size, where, by a due classification, the atten- 

 tion is concentrated on the particular objects therein contained. 

 This condition is much more favourable for study than w^hen the 

 eye and mind are distracted by a blaze of light, and a multitude 

 of objects. In this manner, it is obvious that a Museum may be 

 commenced on a moderate scale, and at a small cost, admitting, 

 from time to timej of enlargement, as space and funds may allow, 

 in order to accommodate an increasing collection. The same 

 excellent plan is adopted in the Museums of Ethnology and 

 Antiquities, at Copenhagen, under the admirable management of 

 Professor Thomsen. Here, in separate rooms, are arranged dis- 

 tinct illustrations of different nations ; and it is truly gratifying 

 to observe the close attention with which the numerous visitors 

 study the contents, assisted at times by, and delighted with, the 

 kind and cheerful explanations given by Thomsen himself. 

 The time and talents of this accomplished Naturalist are unceas- 

 ingly devoted to two objects — one to collect and arrange useful 

 and curious collections, the other to render them accessible to, 

 and thoroughly understood by, the public. During the few 



