INTRODUCTION. 
XVU 
“ equal to most, and in many parts superior to 
“ any other similar Collection, which any of 
“ them have had opportunities of viewing in 
“ this and other Countries: and that, upon 
“ accurate examination, they had estimated the 
“ value of it at £ 13 , 727 .” —This sum was ac¬ 
cordingly voted, and preparations are now in 
great forwardness for exhibiting the most osten¬ 
sible part of the Collection in the great Saloon, 
Z—'ADDITIONS Made by the trvst. 
A*** 
Thus far have we commemorated the muni¬ 
ficence of our late and present most gracious 
Sovereigns individually, and of the Legislature 
collectively, towards establishing and extending 
this national Institution, which will, no doubt, 
be allowed to reflect great honour upon the 
country at large, and from which men of letters, 
artists, and even mechanics of all descriptions, 
have derived, and continue to derive, most 
essential advantages in their respective pursuits. 
Our next duty is briefly to state what the 
Trustees, in their corporate capacity, have 
effected towards the further increase of the esta¬ 
blishment committed to their care. If in re¬ 
cording their various acquisitions, we have not 
objects 
