43 
PROFESSOR OWEN 
CH. II. 
British Museum, ‘he explored with me,’ the 
Professor continues, ‘ every vault and dark recess 
which had been, or could be, allotted to the non- 
exhibited specimens of the natural history, those, 
VIZ. , which it was my aim to utilise and bring to 
light. He gave the same attention to the series 
selected for exhibition in the public galleries, and 
appreciated the inadequacy of the arrangements 
to that end. He listened to my statements of 
facts, to the grounds of provision of annual ratios 
of increase, to the reasons for providing space 
therefor, to my views of the aims of such ex- 
hibitions, and to the proposed extended applica- 
tions and elucidations of the collections. Mr. 
Gladstone tested every averment, and elicited 
the grounds of every suggestion, with a tact 
and insight that contrasted strongly with the 
questionings in the committee-room, where too 
often vague interrogations met with answers to 
match. 
Conformably with Mr. Gladstone’s convictions, 
he, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, moved. May 
12, 1862, for “ leave to bring in a bill for removal 
of portions of the Trustees’ Collections in the 
British Museum.” 
‘ On May 19, when the bill was to be read a 
second time, a new, unexpected, and formidable 
antagonist arose. Mr. Disraeli early got the 
attention of the House to a speech, warnino- hon. 
members of the “ progressive increase of expendi- 
