1804.] THE ROYAL INSTITUTION. 2-J9 



table of the laboratory. This part of the establishment is 

 now found to answer very completely the end of enabling 

 the Professor of Chemistry and his assistants to prepare 

 materials for the chemical lectures, and to carry on original 

 inquiries upon new objects of science. A collection of 

 minerals has been formed of more than 3,000 specimens, 

 principally from presents. Great progress has been made 

 in the library in the old lecture room ; the library of the 

 late Thomas Astle, Esq., has been purchased for 1,000 

 guineas. It contains a variety of scarce and valuable books 

 in ancient British history, topography, and antiquities. 

 It will soon be opened. The model room has been re- 

 arranged, and the number of models slightly increased, 

 but the adequate supply of useful models still continues a 

 desideratum in our establishment, and seems to call for 

 every exertion, as forming so interesting a part of the 

 original prospectus of the Institution. The printing press 

 has been removed ; its utility has not been found adequate 

 to its expense. At the same time it has occupied a space 

 in the upper story which may hereafter be employed to 

 greater advantage. 



The number and variety of the public lectures have been 

 advantageous. 



The great improvements made during the year offer 

 every reasonable prospect of increased advantage and ex- 

 tended utility. 



In January Mr. Bernard was full of energy for the 

 lectures. To the managers he said he had reason to 

 flatter himself that Mr. Fletcher, of Cecil Street, would 

 lecture on Natural Philosophy (but Mr. Fletcher could 

 not find room for his course, as Mr. Allen was engaged 

 on the same subject). Mr. Crowe would lecture on 

 History ; Dr. Stanger on Physiology, and give another 

 course on Medicine ; Dr. James Smith on Botany; John 

 Opie on Painting ; Astley Cooper on Comparative Ana- 



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