290 MEMOIR OF GEORGE WILSON. CHAP. X. 



success may be found in the annual report of this Museum 

 for 1859, in which the models and specimens amassed in 

 the four preceding years are reckoned at 10,350 in number. 

 " If properly displayed, these would fill a space equal to 

 that afforded by the Museum of Practical Geology, Jermyn 

 Street, London; or to fully one-half that of the New 

 National Galleries in Edinburgh." 



Evening lectures, though not now imperative, were still 

 undertaken occasionally. That the interest of an audience 

 could be won over in favour of the Museum, so as to add 

 to its contributors, was sufficient excuse for any additional 

 labours. One scarcely knew at times whether to be more 

 grieved or amused at the earnest simplicity with which he 

 would urge this as a reason for work, such as his health 

 made most unadvisable : " But, you know, they will help 

 the Museum." Remonstrance was vain ; the ardent spirit 

 could not be restrained ; " to die working," seemed to him 

 an enviable fate. The desire was frequently expressed to 

 an assistant, though never hinted at in the home-circle, t 

 where he carefully abstained from any such allusion. With 

 the view of commending the Museum to the notice of the 

 general public, he gave an address in January, 1856, at one 

 of the monthly meetings of the Highland and Agricultural 

 Society, " On the relations of Technology to Agriculture," 

 which was published in the Society's " Transactions " for 

 March, 1856. In it he speaks of the Industrial Museum as 

 " one of those institutions which had become necessary by 

 the altered condition of the world, and the felt wants of all 

 the intelligent sections of the community." After showing 

 in how many ways technology can aid agriculture, he closes 

 with an appeal for their aid on behalf of the national col- 

 lection. A month later, he delivered two lectures to the 

 Philosophical Institution, Edinburgh, ** On the* objects of 



