42 



NA TURE 



{May 1 8, 1876 



others, the quaUties in which they themselves are defi- 

 cient. Aided in the work of comparison by the purely 

 scientific system of classification now first adopted, the 

 investigator v/ill find much to suggest new trains of 

 thought, as the science teacher will find new and improved 

 means for inculcating the truths of nature. While the 

 scientific instructor, the student, and the mechanician 

 will find enough to absorb their interest, the general 

 public will find infinite interest in much of the apparatus 

 exhibited. 



"There are already indications that the magnificent 

 collection of scientific treasures brought together at the 

 cost of much ability and energy on the part of the authori- 

 ties of the South Kensington Museum will hardly be per- 

 mitted to sufifer redistribution to the four corners of the 

 earth. Certain precious relics — the pride of Universities 

 and museums — will probably be claimed at the conclusion 

 of the Exhibition by their proper owners ; but it is more 

 than doubtful whether the makers of many of the most 

 perfect modern instruments would not prefer them on 

 view for an indefinite period rather than withdraw them 

 altogether. Many of them have signified their willingness 

 to present the nation with their exhibits out of hand, and 

 there are other signs that a project- -not new, but dormant 

 for some time past — will shortly be revived. It is that of 

 establishing in London an analogue of the Conservatoire 

 des Arts et Metiers at Paris, of which a very poor imita- 

 tion, if it can be called an imitation at all, exists in the 

 Patent Museum, The present opportunity of forming a 

 scientific and industrial museum, which would be the 

 envy of Europe, appears to many scientific people too 

 good to be lightly foregone." 



The Standard, in an article on Wednesday last week, 

 says : — 



" The result is a collection which will delight the heart 

 of every scientific man, and even to those who merely 

 dabble in science the interest will be very great. . . . 



" That the new loan collection of scientific instruments 

 will be an exhibition popular with and largely frequented 

 by the general public was probably never expected by its 

 originators, but to scientific men, whatever be the branch 

 of the subjects to which they give their attention, the 

 collection will be of the highest interest. In its way it is 

 certainly altogether unequalled, and we may presume 

 that the intelligent pleasure of the comparatively small 

 number of visitors will amply compensate its originators 

 for the absence of the classes who have formed the vast 

 majority among the patrons of the former international 

 exhibitions." 



The Daily Telegraph of Monday writes as follows : — 



" By her presence on Saturday at the assembly which 

 has thus hopefully preceded the public opening of the 

 exhibition in the galleries bordering the garden of the 

 Horticultural Society, the Queen stamped with an ap- 

 proval not less enlightened than gracious and kindly the 

 most interesting and valuable scientific display that 

 has ever been organised in this or any country of the 

 world. . . . 



" Many discoveries have been and are yet to be 

 achieved by means of instruments exhibited in that grand 

 collection at South Kensington ; and we may reasonably 

 infer that had it not been for the invention of certain 

 apparatus the most important natural truths must have 

 remained unknown. In the Loan Exhibition at South 

 Kensington is laid the basis of a Science Museum such 

 as was strongly recommended in the report of the Royal 

 Commission on Scientific Instruction, over which the 

 Duke of Devonshire presided. The Conservatoire des 

 Arts et Metiers in Paris appears to have been the model 

 observed by those most interested in the new scheme ; 

 and, the co-operation of foreign countries having been 

 obtained, a collection which illustrates the past struggles 



as well as the existing triumphs and aspirations of science 

 is now accessible to all who desire instruction of so wide 

 and so elevating a character. 



" Though it is utterly impossible within the compass of 

 this notice to indicate a hundredth part of the wonderful 

 attractive collection spread through these five rooms up 

 stairs, we may at least assure all intending visitors that, 

 with catalogue and handbook to guide and assist them, 

 they may employ, to inestimable profit, half a long day 

 in looking at object after object, and will then feel the 

 necessity of another visit. Such a book [the Handbook] 

 is a cyclopsedia of useful knowledge in itself. Nor can 

 the admirable arrangement of objects be passed over 

 without praise. The inevitable fatigue of studying at- 

 tentively a vast scientific museum is reduced as much as 

 possible by the perfection of system and method, in 

 classifying the objects, and in placing them well within 

 view." 



The Engineer says : — 



*' Owing to the excellent organisation which was made 

 at an early date, and the support which has been afforded 

 from all quarters, the exhibition seems likely to be even a 

 greater success than was ever dreamt of when it was at 

 first proposed." 



Speaking of the Conferences the same journal goes on 

 to say : — 



" If these lectures and discussions are printed and 

 collected into a volume, as there is some talk of doing, a 

 most valuable addition to scientific literature will without 

 doubt be made, especially if permanent photographs of 

 the chief objects be taken and added to it by way of 

 illustration. The conference room, however, is very 

 small, and a bad shape for such a purpose ; and if the 

 meetings are as fully attended as one may expect them to 

 be when lectures are to be delivered by such gentlemen 

 as we have above mentioned in connection with the 

 mechanical section, and by equally eminent ones in other 

 sections, there is every likelihood that it will be found 

 altogether too small and confined, in which case most 

 probably the meeting will adjourn to the arena of the 

 Albert Hall. There can be no doubt that the exhibition 

 and meetings themselves will do much to further science 

 in this country, but it is hoped that still more lasting 

 results will accrue, as was shadowed forth by the Lord Pre- 

 sident and the Vice-president of the Council on Education, 

 the Duke of Richmond, and Viscount Sandon, at the first 

 meeting of the general committee, who referred to the 

 recommendations of the Royal Commission on Scientific 

 Instruction with regard to the creation of a science 

 museum, and expressed a hope that the loan collection 

 might become the means of developing the educational and 

 other departments of the South Kensington Museum into a 

 similar museum to the Conservatoire des Arts et Mdtiers 

 in Paris, which would tend to the advancement of science 

 and industrial progress in this country." 



Last week's Iron speaks of the collection as follows : — 

 " The success of the Loan Collection of Scientific 

 apparatus, to be inaugurated by the Queen this day 

 (Saturday) is no longer a matter of doubt. The invi- 

 tations to contribute have been responded to by the 

 scientific world, both at home and abroad, with singular 

 hberality, while the mass of material which 4ias flowed in 

 from all quarters has been dealt with by able and judi- 

 cious hands. That the opening should have been some- 

 what delayed seems, too, rather a matter for congratu- 

 lation than otherwise, as the completeness of the exhibition 

 has been in consequence increased. Of the five sections 

 under which the exhibits are grouped, it is true that some 

 are still inadequately represented ; but the very great 

 interest of the physical and mechanical groups more than 

 compensates for any deficiencies under the heads of che- 

 mistry, biology, and geology. 



