84 Obituary Notices of Fellows deceased. 



would have illustrated these in the same complete and f instructive 

 manner. 



A general guide to the Museum under his auspices was published in 

 1887. 



While thus maintaining the high scientific reputation of the Great 

 National Museum, he continued to popularise the institution and science 

 by taking parties of working men round the Museum on Sundays, and 

 occasionally a distinguished visitor, like Dr. Nansen, would also join 

 the group. Nor was he less attentive to Members of the Royal Family, 

 or to distinguished statesmen, like Mr. Gladstone, who honoured the 

 Museum with their presence. Foreign rulers, like the Queen of Holland, 

 the Prince of Naples, the Emperor Frederick of Germany, and the King 

 of Siam, were also interested in the collection, so that the popularity and 

 welfare of the Museum were greatly extended by the Director's tact and 

 urbanity. Formerly, he had taken a leading part in interesting the 

 Prince of Wales, who was present at Sir Jas. Paget's Hunterian Oration 

 in 1877, in the Museum of the College of Surgeons, and in arranging 

 for an exhibition of the Prince's Indian Hunting Trophies at the Zoolo- 

 gical Society shortly afterwards, so in his new sphere Royal and 

 other powerful influences were utilized for ' the improvement and 

 popularising of the collection. Military and Naval Expeditions, 

 Exploring Expeditions, all contributed their quota to the National 

 Museum. One of his last collections of this kind was Emin Pasha's 

 from Central Africa. 



The Trustees, when Sir William reached the age limit of the Civil 

 Service, extended his period of office by three years,- but in July, 1898, 

 failing health compelled him to resign. A Minute of the Standing 

 Committee of the Trustees, signed by Lord Dillon, expressed their 

 profound regret at his retirement, end paid him every compliment 

 possible as the worthy successor of Sir Richard Owen, and as one who 

 had organised a Museum of Natural History so pre-eminent amongst 

 the Museums of the civilised world. Thus ended his thirty-six years 

 of Museum work. 



The energies of Sir William, while thus more than fully occupied, 

 were yet often taxed by the organisation or the ceremonies connected 

 with the opening of museums in the provinces, and, unmindful of self, 

 he often expended much time and strength in their interests. His ad- 

 dresses in connection with the " Booth Museum at Brighton," and " Local 

 Museums " at Perth, are examples. Besides, in the able and eloquent 

 address which he delivered as President of the British Association at 

 Newcastle, he dealt in a comprehensive manner with " Museum Organ- 

 isation. " " Modern Museums, " again, formed the theme of his address 

 to the London Meeting of the Museums' Association, of which he was 

 President. 



" School Museums " were specially treated in an article in ' Nature,' 



