1856-81 SPACE NOT TO BE RESTRICTED 47 



a National Museum of Natural History," with re- 

 duced copies of the plans, went through two 

 editions. 



'Another element of reviving hope,' Professor 

 Owen quaintly remarks, ' was the acceptance by 

 Mr. Gregory of the governorship of a tropical 

 island. Mr. Gladstone accurately gauged the 

 modified feeling — the subsiding animosity — of 

 Parliament on the subject, and submitted (June 

 15, 1863) a motion "for leave to purchase five 

 acres for the required Natural History building." 

 The choice of locality he left to honourable mem- 

 bers. Lord Palmerston pointed out that the re- 

 quisite extent of site could be obtained at Blooms- 

 bury for 50,000/. per. acre, and that it could be got 

 at South Kensington for 10,000/. per acre ; and 

 his lordship distinctly stated that the space, in 

 either locality, would be bought for the purpose of 

 a Museum of Natural History. The purchase of 

 the land at South Kensington was accordingly 

 voted by 267 against 135, and thus the Govern- 

 ment proposition was carried by a majority of 132. 

 By this vote the decision of Mr. Gregory's com- 

 mittee was virtually annulled. 



' In a conversation with which I was favoured 

 by Lord Palmerston, I interposed a warning 

 against restriction of space, and eventually eight 

 acres of ground were obtained, including the site 

 of the Exhibition building of 1862, opposite Crom- 

 well Gardens, and that extent of space is now se- 



