ON THE PROVINCIAL MDSECilS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. 131 



a few chemical re-agents ; and a keeper's residence. A residence for the 

 curator, that he may be always on the spot, is desirable, if not essential ; 

 and, unless the town contains a separate college of science, a class-room, 

 lecture theatre, and laboratory would be valuable additions. A library of 

 standard scientific works, comprising not less than 500 volumes, is ab- 

 solutely essential to the proper working of a museum. No curator can 

 undertake to name and properly label the specimens collected without 

 constant reference to books. All local scientific societies should be 

 encouraged to hold their meetings at the museum, where a suitable room 

 with lock-up cupboards might advantageously be provided for them, 

 small rents being charged, except where this would involve the ratino- of 

 the whole premises. 



When donations are offered to a public museum the authorities should 

 consider that they are concerned only for the public interest, and that 

 they have no right to occupy space by the storage of objects which are of 

 no public value. It is generally undesirable to accept any donations 

 with restrictions as to what should be done with them. When they are 

 given to the museum they become public property, to be dealt with freely 

 for the public benefit. When presented they may be considered good 

 examples of their kind, but if superior ones afterwards come to hand the 

 authorities should have power freely to exchange or sell. Exceptions to 

 this rule may be made in special cases. Collections brought together by 

 eminent scientists often acquire a classical reputation and should not be 

 broken up, or single specimens, even though of little value in themselves, 

 may have a place in the history of science which should render them 

 sacred. Such objects may be accepted under any reasonable conditions. 



A movement has recently been inaugurated at York for bringing the 

 curators of museums into closer communication and assisting in the 

 exchange of dujslicates. Something of the kind is much needed. A 

 periodical publication, in which curators could from time to time describe 

 portions of their duplicates, would probably be found i;seful. If it were 

 possible to appoint a travelling inspector, who should devote his time to 

 visiting the provincial museums in rotation, arranging exchanges, spread- 

 ing the knowledge of new inventions in museum apparatus, assisting in 

 the naming of doubtful specimens, taking notes of desiderata which 

 might be supplied by other museums, and acting as a general medium of 

 communication and consulting visitor, such an officer might be of very 

 great service. An adequate salary would have to be provided, either by 

 Government or by some independent society, with contributions from the 

 museums visited. It might be difficult to find a man of sufficient tact, 

 judgment, and knowledge who would undertake the post, but without 

 doubt there is much to be done in this direction. 



The town museum should be the place to which all students and 

 teachers of science in the district should naturally go for assistance. To 

 land fide students every encouragement and facility should be given, and 

 loan collections should be prepared for teachers. A system of travelling 

 museums which circulate among the principal schools of the town has 

 been adopted at Liverpool with great success. 



The practical value of museums as important factors in all adequate 

 systems of education is not yet recognised by the general public. Too 

 many of these institutions have hitherto been but toys and hobbies, and 

 require complete re-organisation. We are not aware of a single free rate- 



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