INTRODUCTION. 
Persons who are desirous to obtain a general 
idea of the contents of this extensive Repository, 
will probably be gratified by having a brief state¬ 
ment previously laid before them ; I. Of the cir¬ 
cumstances which gave rise to the Institution ; IL 
Of its Gradual Increase; III. Of its Constitution, 
and the Regulations now in force for its preser¬ 
vation and useful application ; and IV. Of the 
present distribution of its numerous contents in 
the several Departments into which it is divided. 
I. 
FOUNDATION BY PARLIAMENT. 
The project of a public establishment of this 
nature was first suggested by the will of Sir 
Hans Sloane, late of Chelsea in the county of 
Middlesex, Bart., who, during a long period of 
eminent practise in physic, had accumulated a 
b very 
The Sloanean 
Museum. 
