CHAPTER LVI. 



MUSEUM— MACHINERY— ENGINEERS. 



Towards the close of last century the Society commenced 

 to establish a museum, by forming a collection of models of 

 agricultural implements and other articles. In 183 1, it was 

 resolved to place in it a series of the most approved imple- 

 ments in use on the farm, as well as those for which the 

 Society awarded premiums. By 1838, the collection in 

 Albyn Place had become so extensive and valuable, that it 

 was resolved to obtain a building of much larger dimensions, 

 and on a scale worthy alike of the importance of the object 

 contemplated and of the Society. 



A site on George IV. Bridge was selected. The build- 

 ing was erected during the years 1838- 1840, and was 

 opened to the public in 1841. The architecture is of the 

 Old English or Elizabethan. On the first floor there was a 

 handsome and spacious hall, on each side of which were 

 projecting galleries for cases and cabinets, which contained 

 specimens of cereal grasses, samples of grains, and other 

 vegetable productions. The body of the room was occupied 

 by models of agricultural implements and machines. The 

 hall on the second floor was partly occupied with specimens 

 of soils, ores, and rocks, illustrative of the mineral products 

 of Scotland. It also included a conservatory, which was 

 occupied by growing specimens of trees, shrubs, and plants, 

 especially those of foreign countries. 



When the museum was opened in 1 841, it contained a 

 good assortment in model of the most approved agricul- 

 tural implements and machines ; but it was soon found that 

 these required constant additions, illustrative of all new 

 inventions and improvements, to an extent which the funds 

 of the Society did not warrant the Directors in supplying. 

 Accordingly, in 185 1, when the museum was injured, and 



