THE HANCOCK MUSEUM AND ITS HISTORY 



XXI 



IV.— THE MUSEUM AS IT IS TO-DAY 



The preceding articles have given in outhne the history of 

 the Hancock Museum — a very sUght outline in many respects, 

 but sufficient, perhaps, to show why outside observers have 

 considered the record to be one of which the town and district 

 should be proud. The object of this final article will be to 

 sum up the present position and prospects of the museum and 

 of the Society which owns it. 



First, however, must come a few lines of matter belonging 

 more properly to previous articles. There have already been 

 mentioned a considerable number of names honourably con- 

 nected with the museum in the past, and there are some half- 

 dozen more which cannot be omitted from any account of the 

 institution. William Chapman Hewitson has been referred to 



W. C. Hewitson. 



incidentally, but hardly in such a way as to convey an idea of 

 his standing as a naturalist. As a matter of fact he was one 

 of the very highest authorities of the middle of last century 

 both upon the birds' eggs and the butterflies of the world. A 

 man of wealth and leisure, but also of great industry and 



