84 LIFE OF FLOWER 



so in his new sphere royal and other powerful influences 

 were utilised for the improvement and popularising of the 

 collection." 



King Edward, as Prince of Wales, it may be added, 

 was a constant attendant at the meetings of the Board 

 of Trustees at the Museum during Sir William Flower's 

 administration ; and would occasionally, at the close of 

 the meeting, accompanied by the Director, make an 

 inspection of some of the galleries. As indicative 

 of the interest he took in the details of the arrangement 

 of the museum, it may be mentioned that on one of 

 these tours of inspection His Majesty took exception to 

 the position assigned to the head of a reindeer, and 

 desired that it might be placed elsewhere. 



One other point in connection with Sir William's 

 administration may be noticed. Ever since its establish- 

 ment the hall and public exhibition galleries of the Natural 

 History Museum had been guarded during exhibition 

 hours by members of the Metropolitan Police an 

 arrangement which involved a very large expense to 

 the country. Flower suggested that, provided two or 

 three police sergeants and constables were detailed for 

 special duty, the general work of guarding the collec- 

 tions could be equally well done by members of the 

 Corps of Commissionaires, thereby not only effecting 

 a considerable financial saving, but likewise a fresh area 

 of employment for a very deserving class of the 

 community. This arrangement, which was found to 

 work smoothly and satisfactorily, has remained in force 

 ever since. It may be added that the opening of the 

 museum for a limited number of hours on Sunday 

 afternoons commenced during Flower's tenure of office j 



