xxviii 



On the ground floor is a room ninety feet by fifty, into which have been 

 removed the Casts of Statuary, heretofore inconveniently crowded together in 

 the small chamber on the south side of the building, and unavoidably exposed 

 in the entrance hall to the risk of accidental injury, from which, thanks to the 

 more than ordinary carefulness of the visitors, they have fortunately escaped. 

 Here are assembled those objects acquired some years since, and the presenta- 

 tions made in the year 1862 by friends of the country now resident in Europe. 

 In money's worth alone these exceed in value 800, but they are to be 

 intimated infinitely more highly as testimonials of the kindly feeling and 

 sympathy of the donors. Particular descriptions of these will be found in the 

 annexed Catalogue of the contents of the Museum of Art. 



Allusion was made in the Address of the Trustees to His Excellency Sir 

 Henry Barkly, in May 1861, to the intention with which the establishment of 

 this department had been previously recommended. The original expectation 

 was that a School of Design might be ultimately opened, in which would be 

 displayed types of the works of Ancient Sculptors, and interpretations of the 

 development and history of Art. It was then suggested that in this country, so 

 far removed from the seats of the renowned originals, the presence of such objects, 

 together with others of a kindred nature to be associated with them, must serve 

 as the best instructors of the public taste, and must conduce to an appreciation 

 of what is correct and beautiful, and to that refinement the cultivation of which 

 is so indispensable for a true conception of the principles of liberty, and a right 

 acquaintance with the real uses of wealth. 



It is pleasing to be able to state that this Museum has served as a source 

 of attraction even beyond the extent anticipated ; and still more agreeable is 

 it to announce that the anxious desire of the Trustees has been already 

 realised ; and tliat, through the enlightened liberality of Mr. Murphy a former 

 inhabitant of Melbourne an entire series of the illustrations used in the South 

 Kensington School of Design has been placed at their disposal, so that the 

 teaching of Classes in Drawing, Moulding, and Design, may commence as soon 

 as the necessary arrangements can be perfected, now dependent only upon the 

 erection of suitable apartments in which to receive the students. 



A still further advance has recently been made in ministering to the 

 feeling of admiration for the productions of the Fine Arts so distinctly 

 enunciated by the public. 



The wise discrimination of the Government, seconded by the judicious 

 bounty of Parliament, has given to the country the means of beginning the 

 formation of a Gallery of Paintings. 



Sums of money, voted in the years 1863 and 1864, were remitted to 

 England early this year, with a request addressed to Sir Charles Eastlake, the 

 eminent director of the National Gallery of England, that he would favor the 

 community with the benefit of his great knowledge, experience, and judgment, 

 in making a choice of such pictures as he should consider suitable. To this 

 request he was so good as to accord his immediate assent, and in the course 



