11 
INTRODUCTION. 
very large collection of natural and artificial cu¬ 
riosities, 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 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 jp20,000; that 
should this tender not be accepted, the offer should 
be then made to certain foreign Academies named 
iii the will ; and that, should these also de- ; 
cline the offer, his Executors should be at li¬ 
berty to dispose of it in the manner that should 
appear to them most eligible. 
Sir Plans Sloane having died in the beginning 
of the year 1753 , the offer directed in his will w r as 
immediately made to Parliament, and was ac¬ 
cepted without hesitation. Before the expiration 
of that year an Act was passed, which ordered the 
payment of the stipulated sum to his Executors, 
and 
