Notes and Comments. 32I 
what is of national importance should be preserved in the 
national museum, what is of merely local interest should be 
kept in the local museum.’ Quite so, but who is going to define 
what is of local interest, and what is of national interest 2? It 
is purely a question of the point of view. When Dr. Hoyle 
adorned one of our provincial museums, he in some way 
‘acquired’ certain objects which he then certainly considered 
were suitable for that museum. Now, however, that he 
governs one of our national institutions it seems quite likely 
that he may be of the opinion that many of the objects in the 
Manchester Museum are of sufficient importance to be trans- 
ferred to a national museum, perhaps even in Wales. In fact we 
believe, judging from his reports, that some of the collections 
he has purchased for the Welsh National Museum would be 
considered by his successor at Manchester to be more appro- 
priately housed at Manchester, and were Dr. Hoyle still at 
Manchester, that would doubtless be his view. 
LOCAL MUSEUM’S DUTY. 
“Tt having been admitted that the formation and _ pre- 
servation of a local collection is the primary duty of a local 
museum, and supposing this function to be adequately dis- 
charged, should a local museum undertake any others? I 
should say “‘ Certainly, if its means and opportunities allow, and 
the possibilities are many and various.”’ One obvious way in 
which the museum can be of the greatest service is by pro- 
viding collections which shall give the visitor a preliminary 
sketch of some department of knowledge. I allude to what 
are often called “ Index ”’ collections, though the term “ Intro- 
ductory’”’ collections would be more appropriate.’ 
INTRODUCTORY - COLLECTIONS. 
— 
‘ For instance a larger and smaller collection illustrating the 
animal kingdom would furnish a suitable preliminary to a 
study of local fauna, a series of specimens showing the technique 
of different processes of engraving, etching and mezzotint 
would furnish a valuable introduction to a collection of local 
prints, a number of objects from different prehistoric and 
historic periods would enable the visitor to place in their proper 
chronological relation the collections of local archeology, and 
numerous other possibilities will readily suggest themselves. 
Another direction in which a local museum may profitably 
develop is by coming into direct connection with the educational 
system of the locality. This may be done either by setting 
apart and furnishing a room for the special use of school classes 
or by providing topical collections which can be lent to, or 
circulated among the schools. There is already an extensive 
literature on this subject so I need not enlarge further upon it.” 
1915 Oct. 1. 
