INTRODUCTION. 
m. 
were immediately proceeded* upon ; and the 
proper book-cases and cabinets having been com- 
pleted, and the collections removed thither, and 
properly distributed and arranged, the Museum 
was, at length, opened for study and public 
inspection, on the 15th of January, 1759.* 
II. 
GRADUAL INCREASE. 
1.— BY ROYAL AND PARLIAMENTARY GRANTS. 
This establishment ranks the Sovereigns of 
these Kingdoms among its first and most muni- 
ficent benefactors. 
His late Majesty, fully impressed with a con- R °y al 
. Donations. 
viction of the utility of this Institution, was, George ii. 
. ' • , 1 i , The Royal 
m the year 1 7^7? graciously pleased to make Library. 
over to this trust, the whole of the very choice 
c and 
* Besides the .£20,000 paid for the Sloanean, and the 
£\ 0,000 for the Harleian collections, and £10,000 for Montague 
House, the sum of £28,663. 15s. was laid out in the purchase 
of £30,000 three per cent. Reduced Annuities, and appropriated 
to the maintenance of the establishment; and the remaining 
£26,531. 3s. 2d. raised by the Lottery, scarcely sufficed to defray 
the expenses of repairs, cases, furniture, removing the collections, 
and various other incidental charges. 
