The Scottish Naturalist. 



351 



claim to be exhaustive. The questions sent to the managers of 

 all the museums of which the Committee could gain information 

 were so numerous (36), full and minute as to elicit a very valuable 

 expression of opinion on all the more important subjects that 

 arise in connection with the formation and successful management of 

 museums, and also to secure much information with regard to the 

 history of existing museums. The answers to the several questions 

 have been carefully analysed in the Report presented in 1887 ; 

 while the Report of 1888 is devoted chiefly to the consideration of 

 " the complete ideal which the authorities of a free rate supported 

 museum should keep before them. Not merely what is best under 

 existing circumstances, but what would be the best under ideal 

 conditions ; and therefore what are the aims to be kept in view, 

 and the lines upon which labour and money should be chiefly 

 expended ? " I shall follow the order indicated above in placing 

 before you the information contained in the Reports. 



1. Origin. About one-half of the existing museums were com- 

 menced by local societies, and about one-fourth by private indi- 

 viduals. Rather more that one-half of the former class, and a still 

 larger proportion of the latter, have been transferred to municipal 

 corporations, or to trustees on behalf of the public ; the most of 

 those so transferred being supported by rates levied under the Pub- 

 lic Libraries Act. Certain municipalities have power to levy a 

 rate of 2d. per £1. 



Eight museums are national, and thirty belong to various pub- 

 lic institutions. 



About a dozen were commenced before the year 1800, about 

 100 between the years 1800 and 1870, and over 100 since 1870. 



2. Maintenance. This is provided for in various ways. In 

 the towns where the museums are public they are supported by a 

 rate as already mentioned. National museums are supported by 

 national funds ; and so also in part are those in many institutions, 

 educational or otherwise, that receive aid from national funds. 

 Endowments support a few. Annual subscriptions and contribu- 

 tions from local societies provide chiefly for those belonging to the 

 societies ; and the charges for admission afford considerable 

 assistance in some cases; e.g., between ^500 and^iooo per 

 annum in York, Scarborough and Southport. But in most 

 museums where an admission fee is charged, the sum realised is 

 small, varying usually from ^5 to £100 per annum. 



