1874.] Ethnological Collections. 127 



London Inteenational Exhibition, 1874. 

 The Ethnology and Geography of the British Empire. 



1. Her Majesty's Commissioners have lesolved to commence, in 

 connection with the series of International Exliibitions, Permanent Col- 

 lections which shall illustrate the Ethnology and Geography of the different 

 portions of the British Dominions, and ultimately form a great National 

 Museum of the Empire upon which the sun never sets. They will he 

 arranged for the present in the Galleries of the Royal Albert Hall. Many 

 portions of the Empire are inhabited by Aboriginal Races, most of which 

 are undergoing rapid changes, and some of which are disappearing altogether. 

 These races are fast losing their primitive characteristics and distinguishing 

 traits. 



2. The Collections would embrace Life-size and other Figures re- 

 presenting the Aboriginal Inhabitants in their Ordinary and Gala Costumes ; 

 Models of their Dwellings ; Samples of their Domestic Utensils ; Idols ; 

 Weapons of War ; Boats and Canoes ; Agricultural, Musical, and Manu- 

 •facturing Instruments and Implements ; Samples of their Industries, and 

 in general all objects tending to show their present Ethnological position 

 and state of civilisation. 



3. It is proposed to receive for the Exhibition of 1874 any suitable 

 Collections, which will be grouped and classified hereafter in their strict 

 Ethnological and Geographical relations. As, however, there is at present 

 great public interest in the various Tribes inhabiting the West Coast of 

 Africa, including the Ashantees, with whom this country is at war, all 

 objects relating to the Ashantees, Fantees, Dahomeys, Houssas and the 

 neighbouring Tribes are especially desired. The Indian Empire, the Eastern 

 Archipelago, and the Islands of the Southern Hemisphere are also able to 

 afford abundant and valuable materials for the proposed Museum, of which 

 it is believed that the nucleus can be formed at once from materials in 

 private Collections. 



4. Her Majesty's Commissioners confidently appeal to the Civil, 

 Military, and Naval Officers of the British Service throughout the Queen's 

 Dominions to assist them in these Collections. 



5. Her Majesty's Commissioners have secured the services of eminent 

 gentlemen to advise them from time to time in giving effect to these in- 

 tentions. 



It is requested that offers of Gifts and Loans of Objects should be made 

 known at once to the Secretary of Her Majesty's Commissioners, Upper 

 Kensington Gore, London, S. W. 



