16 



ACCOUNTS, ETC., OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 



VIII. — General Progress at the Museum, Bloomsbury. 



The number of visits to the Museum during the year 1903 

 again shows a remarkable increase on that of the preceding 

 year. In 1902 the total amounted to 845,369, exceeding that 

 of the year 1901 by nearly 127,000. In 1903 the number has 

 risen to 920,848, being an increase of 75,479 on that of 1902. 

 The number of visits on weekdays was 858,800, as against 

 786,850 in 1902, and on Sundays 62,048, as against 58,519. 



In order to assist general visitors a Summary Guide 

 (distinct from the guide books which are sold in the Museum 

 at moderate prices), giving a concise description of the 

 exhibits in the several public galleries and rooms, has been 

 printed on a folded quarto sheet, and is distributed gratis. 



The number of visits of students to the Reading Room 

 in 1903 was 209,713, being 1,531 less than in 1902 ; a daily 

 average of 692. 



The average numbers of persons in the room, counted at 

 the later hours of the afternoon, were : — 



4 p.m. 



5 P.M. 



6 P.M. 



6.30 P.M. 



7 P.M. 



7.30 P.M. 



355 



258 



168 



90 



104 



72 



The decrease in the number of visits to the Reading Room 

 has been more than counterbalanced by the increase of the 

 number of visits of students to the other Departments, which 

 amounts to 60,074, as against 56,438 in 1902. There has 

 been an increase of more than 1,200 in the Department of 

 Manuscripts and of more than 1,400 in the Print Room. 



Excavations, which had been suspended for many years, 

 have been resumed at Nineveh, under the direction of one of 

 the officers of the Department of Egyptian and Assyrian 

 Antiquities. A thorough exploration of the sites of the 

 palaces of Sennacherib and Ashur-bani-pal is being carried 

 out, and those parts of the great mound of Kouyunjik which 

 had not been worked in former excavations are now being 

 trenched and carefully searched. Traces of more ancient 

 buildings have been discovered. The work of exploration 

 will be continued during the coming year. 



The building of a repository for the storage of Newspapers 

 and other printed matter has been commenced at Hendon, 

 under the superintendence of H.M. Office of Works. It will 

 be ready for occupation in the course of the year 1906. 



