42-4 MEMOIR OF GEORGE WILSON. CHAP. X. 



forth. " The dear Museum," as it was usually called in private, 

 absorbed every energy. How lie begged and planned for it, is 

 well known throughout the world, though what sacrifices were 

 made on its behalf are known but to a very few. The power of 

 coaxing, in him almost irresistible, was brought fully to bear, 

 and sometimes it was amusing to observe how, when presents 

 were made to him, with the express statement that they were 

 not for the Museum, he contrived skilfully to dispose of all ar- 

 guments, and finally to deposit them on the public shelves. 

 His friends soon got to know that the most welcome gifts were 

 such as had the industrial collection in view, and acted accord- 

 ingly. Evidence of his zeal and success may be found in the 

 annual report of this Museum for 1859, in which the models and 

 specimens amassed in the four preceding years are reckoned at 

 10,350 in number. "If properly displayed, these would fill a 

 space equal to that afforded by the Museum of Practical Geo- 

 logy, Jermyn Street, London ; or to fully one-half that of the 

 New National Galleries in Edinburgh." 



Evening lectures, though not now imperative, were still un- 

 dertaken occasionally. That the interest of an audience could 

 be won over in favour of the Museum, so as to add to its con- 

 tributors, was sufficient excuse for any additional labours. One 

 scarcely knew at times whether to be more grieved or amused 

 at the earnest simplicity with which he would urge this as a 

 reason for work, such as his health made most unadvisable, 

 " But, you know, they will help the Museum." Eemonstrance 

 was vain ; the ardent spirit could not be restrained ; ." to die 

 working," seemed to him an enviable fate. The desire was fre- 

 quently expressed to an assistant, though never hinted at in the 

 home -circle, where he carefully abstained from any such allu- 

 sion. With the view of commending the Museum to the notice 

 of the general public, he gave an address in January 1856, at 

 one of the monthly meetings of the Highland and Agricultural 

 Society, ' On the relations of Technology to Agriculture,' which 

 was published in the Society's 'Transactions' for March 1856. 

 In it he speaks of the Industrial Museum as " one of those in- 

 stitutions which had become necessary by the altered condition 

 of the world, and the felt wants of all the intelligent sections of 



