a Se a ee 
THE PUBLIC MUSEUM AND EDUCATION. 9 
with the collections on exhibition, by means of lectures 
illustrated with specimens and lantern slides. From a 
humble beginning in 1881 the lecture courses rapidly grew in 
importance, until in 1884 state aid was given to this feature 
of Museum work, greatly extending its scope and volume. 
he authorities of many Museums in this country have 
realised for some considerable time the great possibilities of a 
closer co-operation with the schools, and efforts have been 
made with varying success to bring this about. In Liverpool, 
since 1884, special circulating Museum cabinets and loan 
collections have been formed, by means of which Museum 
specimens have been circulated on loan to any school choosing 
to make application. In addition, every facility has been given 
to schools making use of the clause in the Education Code, 
and bringing classes for instruction in the Museum during 
school hours. A special lecture room is placed at their disposal 
to which Museum specimens for purposes of illustration are 
conveyed, and lantern, operator, and (when required) lantern 
slides are also provided, and courses of lectures by members 
of the staff and others have been given in relation to Museum 
collections and exhibits. In other towns similar arrangements 
have been in existence. But the education authorities have not 
responded to any very great extent, and very little systematic 
use has been made of the facilities available, although every 
educationist is prepared to admit the educational possibilities of 
such arrangements. All teachers realise the difficulty ofimpart- 
ing knowledge by mere verbal description—in awakening interest 
in mere mental pictures, and they know better than anyone else 
how the tired and anxious face of the child lights up when shown 
the actual thing—how delighted and anxious it 1s to see more. 
The hide-bound. syllabus and time-tables of the present system 
of education may be responsible, but whatever the reason, 
the fact remains that.comparatively little work is being done 
in this direction in this country. When we enquire what 
