i8si OPENING OF JERMYN STREET MUSEUM 185 



tion to which it has been raised. We must, in short, not 

 only hold firmly to, but act upon the faith which is in 

 us, and see that an establishment like this, though it 

 naturally branches off into highly useful and collateral 

 subjects of art, be never rendered subsidiary to them, 

 but be permanently and independently sustained on its 

 own solid basis of pure science. This, our view, will 

 also be taken, I feel confident, by every enlightened 

 statesman who may be placed in a station to provide 

 for the future well-being of the admirable Museum, 

 founded and completed by our Wollaston Medallist. 1 



The 1 2th May was fixed for the formal opening 

 of the Museum by Prince Albert. Ramsay thus 

 chronicles the events of the day : Over [to the 

 Museum] soon, wound up all I had to do, and then 

 prepared for our opening. Crowds began to assemble 

 about half-past eleven. I helped to receive below. 

 By and by the Prince came. We of the Museum, 

 some of the ministers, etc., sundry Lords once of the 

 Woods, the Bishop of Oxford, some of the geologists, 

 etc., followed to the vacant chair. Sir H. read an 

 address, the Prince read a reply. Then we all walked 

 round, Sir H. leading, and each officer explaining his 

 own department. And it was over. 



A terrible damper occurred which we kept from 

 Sir H. Faraday told Hunt just before the Prince 

 came that poor old Mr. Richard Phillips had died 

 yesterday. It was a shock to me. Strange that he 

 should have died just at the opening of the Museum. 

 I find myself unconsciously repeating his jokes. We 

 shall see him no more toddling about with a joke for 

 every one. 



As finally adjusted, the subjects to be taught at the 



1 Quart. Journ. GeoL Soc. xi. (1855), pp. 24, 25. 



