WS: 
NOTES AND COMMENTS, 
ECONOMISING BRAINS ! 
The scientific world has recently had two surprises: an 
unpleasant oneanda pleasant one. The first was the announce- 
ment that, with the object of economising, most of the London 
museums and art galleries are to be closed. The second sur- 
prise has been the extraordinary outburst of appreciation of 
the value of museums and art galleries which came as a result 
of the Government announcement ! The scientific world 
knows full well what. the educational value of museums is, 
but never before has there been such evidence of appreciation 
from all sorts and conditions of men, as there has been during 
the past few days. The columns of the leading newspapers 
of the world have been remarkably full of protests at the 
Government’s action; leading articles have been published 
by their respective editors, and the illustrated press has voiced 
public feeling by numerous caustic cartoons. 
LETTERS IN THE PRESS. 
True, there have been a few supporters of the Government’s 
action ; but they have been exceedingly few, and for the most 
part the names are of people unknown in scientific, literary 
or other circles. And their arguments have been as weak:and 
powerless as their names. On the other hand protests have 
been raised by Lords Morley, Bryce, Grenfell, Sudeley and 
Sydenham, Sir Richard Temple, Sir F. Treves, Sir Thomas 
Barlow, Sir E. Ray Lankester, Sir Edward Fry, Sir Harry 
Johnston, Sir Henry H. Howorth, Dr. A. E. Shipley, Dr. 
Gregory Foster, Prof. Boyd Dawkins, Mrs. Creighton, Mrs. 
JoiReiGreen,, Mrs. Strong, Messrs. Halsey Ricardo, Walter 
Sichel, Frank Brangwyn, G. W. Prothero, Arnold Bennett, 
E. Rimbault Dibdin (the President of the Museums Asso- 
ciation), as well as past-presidents and other officials of that 
Association, and others whose words carry weight. 
THE SAVING. 
According to the estimates of the Committee appointed 
by the Government, the saving in cash by the closing of the 
national museums will be about £50,000 per annum. The 
estimate made by Lord Morley, and the heads of the national 
museums, who are as well able to judge, is a considerably less 
figure. Assuming the former is correct, the saving in twelve 
months will be sufficient to pay for the war, at its present daily 
cost, for a quarter of an hour; according to Lord Morley’s 
figures, the annual saving will pay for the war for three minutes. 
All will admit that economy is essential at the present time ; 
but surely this small amount, this “ flea-bite” (a word to 
1916 Mar. 1. 
F 
