1844-1858] BRITISH MUSEUM III 



art and of archaeology have much greater weight with Govern- Letter 66 

 ment than we have. If we make a move to separate from 

 the British Museum, I cannot but fear that we may go to 

 the dogs. I think we owe our position in large part to the 

 hundreds of thousands of people who visit the British 

 Museum, attracted by the heterogeneous mixture of objects. 

 If we lost this support, as I think we should — for a mere 

 collection of animals docs not seem very attractive to the 

 masses (judging from the Museum of the Zoological Society, 

 formerly in Leicester Square) — then I do not think we 

 should get nearly so much aid from Government. Therefore 

 I should be inclined to stick to the mummies and Assyrian 

 gods as long as we could. If we knew that Government was 

 going to turn us out, then, and not till then, I should be 

 inclined to make an energetic move. If we were to separate, 

 I do not believe that we should have funds granted for the 

 many books required for occasional reference : each man 

 must speak from his own experience. I have so repeatedb/ 

 required to see old Transactions and old Travels, etc., that 

 I should regret extremely, when at work at the British 

 Museum, to be separated from the entire library. The 

 facilities for working at certain great classes — as birds, large 

 fossils, etc. — are no doubt as bad as possible, or rather im- 

 possible, on the open days ; but I have found the working 

 rooms of the Assistants very convenient for all other classes 

 on all days. 



In regard to the botanical collections, I am too ignorant 

 to express any opinion. The point seems to be how far 

 botanists would object to travel to Kew ; but there arc 

 evidently many great advantages in the transportation. 



If I had my own way, I would make the British Museum 

 collection only a typical one for display, which would be quite 

 as amusing and far more instructive to the populace (and 

 I think to naturalists) than the present enormous display of 

 birds and mammals. I would save expense of stuffing, and 

 would keep all skins, except a few " typicals," in drawers. 

 Thus much room would be saved, and a little more space 

 could be given to real workers, who could work all day. 

 Rooms fitted up with thousands of drawers would cost very 

 little. With this I should be contented. Until I had pretty 

 sure information that we were going to be turned out, I 



