mittee hope to arrange next year for a marine exhibi- 

 tion, one that will illustrate the evolution of the ship. 

 As Bristol is an ancient seaport, and anticipates the 

 expansion of its oversea commerce as the result of the 

 formation of the Royal Edward Dock, there would seem 

 to be at the present time an appropriateness in this effort. 

 During the year the Committee have carried out 

 many structural and other improvements. The series of 

 handrails in the galleries has been completed, the 

 pictures in the rooms numbered i and 5, and part of 

 number 3, having been thus protected. By this means 

 the appearance of the galleries has also been much 

 improved. Handrails for the protection of the staff 

 when their employment requires them to traverse the 

 great space above the inner glass roof of the Central 

 Hall have also been fixed. The large front windows on 

 the ground floor were, on the occasion of the King's 

 visit, filled with semi-opaque glass with ornamental 

 festoons, borders, and panels, instead of the former clear 

 glass. The panels are reproductions of the City Arms 

 and the ancient Seals, the latter showing the obverse 

 and reverse of the Burgess Seal (1272), the Seal of the 

 Statute Merchant (1283), the Second Mayoral Seal (1350) 

 and the Admiralty Seal (1446). In the side windows 

 are representations of the Bristol High Cross (1373 and 

 1633). The ventilation of the galleries has been 

 improved by the opening of several staircase windows, 

 and the excessive heat sometimes felt has been moderated 

 by introducing currents of air between the glass roofs. 

 In addition, some minor improvements have been 

 effected, such as the fixing of rails outside so that the 

 frontage may not be injured by bicycles, the fitting of 

 better locks to some of the cases, the setting up of a 

 notice board outside, which had been several times 



