11 
INTRODUCTION. 
very large collection of natural and artificial 
curiosities, together with a numerous library of 
printed books as well as manuscripts ; and who, 
being well aware how much science is benefited 
by the opportunities which large aggregates of 
objects afford for comparing them together, and 
marking their less obvious differences, was very 
solicitous that his sumptuous Museum, which he 
declared in his last will had cost him upwards of 
50,000, should, if possible, be preserved intire, 
and permanently dedicated to public utility. 
With this view he directed that the whole of 
his Museum should be offered to the British Par- 
liament for the moderate sum of Jf20,000 ; that 
should this tender not be accepted, the offer should 
be then made to certain foreign A cademies named 
in the will ; and that, should these also decline 
the offer, his Executors should be at liberty to 
dispose of it in the manner that should appear 
to them most eligible. 
Sir Hans Sloane having died in the beginning 
of the year 1753, the offer directed in his will 
was immediately made to Parliament, and was 
accepted without hesitation. Before the expira¬ 
tion of that year an Act was passed, which ordered 
the payment of the stipulated sum to his Execu¬ 
tors, 
