128 SIR WILLIAM FLOWER CHAP. 



find that the appointment has been received with so much 

 approbation by all who are interested in the subject. 



The general approval to which he refers probably 

 relates to the way in which his appointment was 

 received by the public, which found unmistakable 

 expression in the press. It was confidently stated 

 that " no more judicious choice could have been 

 made, nor one more popular with the public and 

 men of science. Professor Flower has for over 

 twenty years devoted himself to the promotion and 

 extension of the unrivalled anatomical collection in 

 Lincoln's Inn Fields, and this by his efforts has 

 reached a condition of almost perfect efficiency. 

 There is no doubt that now, when he has accepted 

 the office at South Kensington, where his intellect 

 will have much larger scope for exercise, he will do 

 much to make the Department what it ought to be, 

 the most renowned and popular in the world." 



The Times concluded its leading article on the 

 appointment by expressing an opinion that Flower 

 would not find his Directorship " altogether a bed 

 of roses." Such a hint was clearly not given 

 without cause. The character and courtesy which 

 at once disarmed opposition and replaced misgivings 

 with confidence enabled Flower to dispel any feelings 

 which might have conduced to bring about such a 

 position as the Times feared might arise. But the 

 previous history of the creation and working of the 

 Zoological Department of the British Museum 

 explains in a measure the words of the article. 



