196 Proposal for the Establishment of . 



may suffice lo name Sir Joseph Banks, the patron of natural 

 science, and the student's friend ; Dr. Shaw, the classical 

 historian of animated nature ; Dr. Smith, alter Linnaeus ; — 

 Mincra!')gy and chemistry boast of their Chenevix, Hat- 

 chett, Davy, and Thompson ; — Geology of De Luc, of Sir 

 "James [:!cill. Lord William Scymour,andofKir\van ; — Com- 

 parative anatomy of Home, Carlisle, Cowper, &c. &c. 



The wealth of our merchants is equalled by the en- 

 lightened views which direct their magnificent liberality. 

 Their ardour for the advancement of the liberal arts is dis- 

 playe'd in their establishment of the City Institution, and in 

 the Oriental College at Hertford. It is not to be doubted 

 that they will extensively support the proposed museum by 

 a gratuitous importation of the productions of distant re- 

 gions, which may be pointed out to them as requisite to the 

 advancement of such an institution ; and at the same time 

 freely contribute to a fund for its permanent support. 



The spirit of general inquiry awakened by the Royal In- 

 stitution, will secure powerful and numerous friends to the 

 establishment at the court end of the town. 



Contributions of specimens from private collectors, whose 

 names should be inscribed and exhibited with honour, will 

 soon make the difficulty of selection much exceed thai of 

 collection. 



It is hoped that his raajcsty's ministers may be induced 

 to allot a sufficient sum for the purchase of a spacious house 

 in an airy part of the town, to chartered trustees, empower- 

 ed to receive subscriptions to a limited amount, upon a plan 

 of tontine, in which the trustees may be survivors. 



It is proposed that a sum of be raised by sub- 



scription, or sale of shares, at the rate of 

 for each share ; and that the holders of such shares 

 be entitled to receive interest thereon, not exceeding the rate 

 of five per cent., whensoever such division c^n be made 

 from actual receipts, and to increase such interest by annual 

 addition, in proportion to the deaths of the several holders of 

 shares, till the original nominees be all dead ; when all pro- 

 fits arising from the institution shall cease, or be applicable 

 wholly to the purposes of the institution. 



In 



