10 BRITISH MUSSlXJlVl:. 



Postcard Sets (all in colour) : — 



Prints by William Blake (15 cards) 



Illustrations of Froissart's Chronicles (6 cards) 



Franciscan Miniatures ,, 



Water- Colours by J. S. Cotman „ 



Miniatures from a Westminster Abbey Psalter ,, 

 Miniatures from a Flemish Book of Hours ,, 



GENERAL PROGRESS AT THE NATURAL HISTORY 

 MUSEUM. 



The figures for the attendance of visitors at the Natural History 

 Museum for 1927 were the highest so far recorded, the number being 

 569,318 as against 511,313 in 1926. The previous record was 535,116 

 in 1909. The visitors on Sunday afternoons numbered 79,204 as against 

 78,818 in 1926, and the number of persons who attended the demonstra- 

 tions of the Official Guide during the year was 13,554, as against 14,468 

 in 1926. The number of visitors on August Bank Holiday, 13,431, 

 although not quite the largest hitherto recorded on any one day, was 

 in striking contrast with the number, 506, on Boxing Day. The 

 figures illustrate the efi'ect on Museum attendances of two different 

 types of bad bank-holiday weather. 



His Majesty the King of Spain presented to the Museum a group of 

 Spanish Mountain Goats, which was at first placed in the Central Hall 

 and was later moved to the bridge on the staircase leading to the 

 second floor. His Majesty the King of Spain visited the Museum and 

 unveiled the group on 7 July in the presence of His Majesty the King. 



The annual course of lectures under the Swiney foundation was 

 begun during December and continued in January, 1928. The lecturer, 

 Dr. Robert Campbell, took as his subject " Episodes in the Geological 

 History of Scotland." 



During the year there was a number of changes in the higher staff of 

 the Museum. Sir Sidney Harmer retired on 9 March and was succeeded 

 as Director by Mr. C. Tate Regan, F.R.S., whose place, as Keeper of 

 Zoology, was filled by the promotion of Dr. W. T. Caiman, F.R.S. 

 Dr. C. J. Gahan retired in January and Dr. G. T. Prior, F.R.S. , in 

 December, from the Keeperships of Entomology and Mineralogy, and 

 were succeeded by Major E. E. Austen, D.S.O., and Dr. L. J. Spencer, 

 F.R.S., respectively. 



A memorandum was prepared for, and evidence given to, the Royal 

 Commission on Museums and Galleries with regard to the objects, work, 

 and needs of the Museum. Further information on special questions 

 was supplied to the Commission. 



The Museum Building. 



Although action in connection with the much needed extension of the 

 Museum building awaits the issue of a report by the Royal Commission, 

 the necessity for an immediate increase in the accommodation available 

 for the Department of Entomology has led the Empire Marketing Board 

 to provide funds for the erection of an extension of the existing Spirit 



