kj^lTsts^^s city 
Review of Science and Industry, 
A MONTHLY RECORD OF PROGRESS IN 
SCIENCE. MECHANIC ARTS AND LITERATURE. 
VOL VII. NOVEMBER, 1883. NO. 7. 
PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
THE MUSEUM OF NAPLES.^ 
ERMINE CASE, JR. 
It is not to be wondered at, that the average American comes to have a 
pretty low opinion of that sort of institution denominated a museum, and natur- 
ally recurs to the type which has a hand-organ at the front door, and a stuffed 
mermaid on the staircase. The museums of European cities are somewhat differ- 
ent — not being confined to curiosities and by no chance ever containing monstros- 
ities. A museum there may be only a gallery of pictures — possibly a collection 
of statuary. 
Ordinarily, however, the word is used to designate a general collection of 
works of art — in oil, marble, bronze and plaster, archaeological objects, ceramics 
and gems, coins, and books, prints, autographs, and illuminated mediaeval missals, 
tapestries, curious carvings and relics of historical personages. 
These collections are most usually owned by the government — sometimes by 
the cities in which they are situated. They are preserved in immense fireproof 
structures, architecturally accurate. Costly too, in a degree we have no measure 
for even in our capitol buildings. However, in point of cost, these ornate build- 
ings and extensive grounds bear no comparison to the value of the articles which 
constitute the museum. 
I feel free to estimate the building which contains the British Museum, and 
1 Read before the Kansas City Academy of Science, September 25, 1883. 
VII-20 
