126 HISTORY OF THE MUSEUM. 



by observation ; and insists particularly on the 

 riches of our own mineral kingdom, and the 

 means of rendering them subservient to the pro- 

 gress of the arts and to the wants of society. 



Natural history cannot dispense with the aid 

 of drawings, and the most exact descriptions 

 leave but a vague impression on the mind if un- 

 accompanied by figures : language suffices to ex- 

 press essential characters, but cannot give an idea 

 of the physiognomy and general appearance of 

 objects ; it was a fortunate conception therefore 

 to attach a professor of the art to the Museum. 

 This institution has both diffused a taste for draw- 

 ing, and given it a more useful direction. It is 

 easy to see by comparison, how much the figures 

 in works of natural history are superior at the 

 present day to those of the last century. M. Yan- 

 spaendonck, since his appointment in 177^ has 

 formed numerous artists. Though the primary 

 object of his lectures is the imitation of scientific 

 characters, beauty and effect are not neglected ; 

 and to this source may perhaps be traced the 

 perfection to which the art of painting flowers 

 is carried in France, and its influence on several 

 of our manufactures. His lessons of iconography, 

 which are attended by a great number of young 

 ladies,are given in the library three times a week 

 during four months. The library on these oc- 



