i 3 o 



THE MORTIMER MUSEUM AT DRIFFIELD. 



A question of the highest possible importance is now pending - 

 in East Yorkshire. This is the future of the valuable museum 

 which Mr. J. R. Mortimer has formed at Driffield. As a local 

 collection it is invaluable, including' as it does the results of 

 Mr. Mortimer's life labours in investigating- the tumuli of the 

 Yorkshire wolds, and if once dispersed the loss to science will 

 be most deplorable and irreparable. 



It is well known to anthropologists and geologists that 

 these collections are of the greatest scientific utility and value, 

 and the fact that they are strictly local objects adds immeasur- 

 ably to their scientific importance. 



There can therefore be no question that the collections 

 should be kept together and intact, and retained in the district ; 

 and it is to be hoped that the County Council of the East 

 Riding of Yorkshire will rise to the occasion and secure now, 

 for the moderate price which Mr. Mortimer asks, a treasure 

 which — should they wish to secure it in future years — will 

 be absolutely unattainable in any way. There are numerous 

 reasons why these fine collections should be retained in the dis- 

 trict. For one thing" the collection is strictly local ; Mr. Mortimer 

 has not suffered his East Riding - collection to be overshadowed 

 hy foreign material or relics of any kind. For another thing - , 

 the collections are already properly housed and cared for, and it 

 would not be a very great matter for an important public 

 body like the County Council to see to its permanent future 

 maintenance. 



Were such a collection in any Continental city, it is tolerably 

 certain that local and even national subventions would speedily 

 be found. We hope the present appeal to the East Riding - will 

 be crowned with success, and that Mr. Mortimer may be able 

 to realise that his life's work has not been in vain. 



BOOK NOTICE. 



The Annual Report of the Barrow Naturalists' Field Club and 



Literary and Scientific Association for the 22nd year ended 25th March 1898 

 — which forms Vol. 13 — is a record of some excellent work, the principal 

 and most important paper being- the one by Mr. W. B. Kendall, A. M.Inst. C.E., 

 on 'Northscale: the History of a Furness Villag-e,' which is illustrated by 

 a valuable plan of the ancient common fields. The activity of the Society 

 is well shown by the reports of excursions, and the reprint of the Wild 

 Birds Protection Order for the Borough, which includes Walney Island, is 

 useful for reference. The frontispiece is a portrait of the President, 

 Mr. W. A. Holmes. 



Naturalist, 



