12 The Williams Collection of Shells 



at every turn one is surprised by some new phase of 

 the subject, perhaps before unthought of, and regrets 

 the necessity which takes him at last from their con- 

 templation. I speak as one who lived for years among 

 shells and shell literature in the largest commercial 

 scientific establishment in the country. 



Turning at length regretfully away, there remains 

 an impression of wonderful order and beauty of ar- 

 rangement. There is many a clever device such as 

 the use of small glass-topped boxes for the little speci- 

 mens, and altogether there is exhibited an extraordinary 

 synthesis of scientific appreciation and artistic taste. 



The purpose of these pages is not mere gratula- 

 tion, though the collection deserves that and more. 

 Indeed, it merits as world-wide celebrity as the great 

 collections of Jay, of Gould, of Newcomb, and of 

 other renowned cabinet builders. It deserves a place 

 in some great hall of science, and it is Mrs. Williams' 

 hope that it may some day be thus installed through 

 public or private munificence. My desire in this writ- 

 ing is to make this remarkable collection better known. 

 It has been a labor of love, and I can wish for those 

 who read no greater pleasure than to come under the 

 fascinating spell of this great collection. 



