Local Museums. 7113 



Observations on Local Museums. By George Maw, Esq., F.L.S. &c. 



The formation of collections of objects relating to Natural History 

 is so intimately connected with the subjects usually treated of in the 

 ' Zoologist' that 1 am induced to think that the consideration of our 

 local museums may come within the legitimate scope of your journal. 

 May I be allowed a page or two to note down a few points in connection 

 with these institutions that have presented themselves to my obser- 

 vation, less as expressive of any peculiar views I entertain than for the 

 purpose of awakening others to the consideration of the subject. 



I fear local museums cannot be considered as popular institutions ; 

 and furthermore, they are never self-supporting, consequently their 

 very existence, to say nothing of their lively prosperity, depends more 

 on accidental circumstances than their possessing any inherent powers 

 of vitality. Where a flourishing museum exists it is not, as far as my 

 own observations go, the necessary result of its efficiency, and if we 

 look behind the scenes shall probably find some kind friend propping 

 it up, either with funds or superintendence. Such help, however thank- 

 fully it should be received, is uncertain, and may be at any time 

 removed, and the poor museum resigned to dust, dislocation and decay. 

 How often have we seen a nice institution, built either through the 

 assistance of some kind friend or the natural energy of a country town, 

 well stocked with glass cases and specimens. Perhaps your M.P. 

 patronises it for a few years, or the young surgeon takes up science 

 and the museum to counteract the old literary medical man ; may be, 

 some two or three real lovers of Science give it more substantial support. 

 A combination of such circumstances for a time produces an apparently 

 flourishing museum, but in nine cases out of ten its days are numbered. 

 These props removed, your noble institution begins to dwindle, your 

 paid Curator is obliged to be discharged, fresh contributions of speci- 

 mens are lost, or thrown dusty and uncared for in some back closet, 

 contributors are affronted, their subscriptions fall off, and your funds 

 only suffice to pay an occasional attendant to scrub the floor and dust 

 the Venus in the vestibule once a month. The place is virtually 

 closed ; nobody cares for the dead lion, and accumulated debts swallow 

 up the carcass. 



Are there not several causes influencing this want of success ? 



Firstly, the objects for which local museums should be established are, 



I think, rarely understood by their promoters. The exact scope of 



the subjects to be represented and illustrated are seldom viewed with 



XVIII. 2 T 



