’856-81 SPACE NOT TO BE RESTRICTED 47 
^ National Museum of Natural History,” with re- 
duced copies of the plans, went through two 
editions. 
‘Another element of reviving hope,’ Professor 
Owen quaintly remarks, ‘ was the acceptance by 
^Ir. Gregory of the governorship of a tropical 
island. Mr. Gladstone accurately gauged the 
iTiodified feeling — the subsiding animosity — of 
^^arliament on the subject, and submitted (June 
15> 1863) a motion “for leave to purchase five 
9 -cres for the required Natural History building.” 
The choice of locality he left to honourable mem- 
bers. Lord Palmerston pointed out that the re- 
quisite extent of site could be obtained at Blooms- 
bury for 50,000/. per acre, and that it could be got 
ut South Kensington for 10,000/. per acre ; and 
bis lordship distinctly stated that the space, in 
either locality, would be bought for the purpose of 
u Museum of Natural History. The purchase of 
^he land at South Kensington was accordingly 
’^oted by 267 against 135, and thus the Govern- 
lUent proposition was carried by a majority of 132. 
By this vote the decision of Mr. Gregory’s com- 
uiittee was virtually annulled. 
‘ In a conversation with which I was favoured 
by Lord Palmerston, I interposed a warning 
ugainst restriction of space, and eventually eight 
Ucres of ground were obtained, including the site 
uf the Exhibition building of 1862, opposite Crom- 
^ull Gardens, and that extent of space is now se- 
