XXIV 
INTRODUCTION# 
The Cracbero- 
deaa collection. 
of them being an obituary kept by himself* 
during the whole period of his active career. 
For the greatest, and, though not the most 
conspicuous, yet no doubt the most valuable of 
the accessions by gift, the public is indebted 
to the spontaneous and splendid munificence 
of a private individual, upon whom, were this 
a place for panegyric, the greatest encomiums 
ought in justice to be bestowed. The Rev. 
Clayton Mordaunt Cracherode, M. A., a gentle¬ 
man equally eminent for knowledge, taste, and 
urbanity, had, during the whole course of his 
too limited career, employed his time, talents 
and ample fortune, in forming numerous and 
choice collections of printed books, prints, 
coins and medals, minerals and shells. This 
treasure he, with a liberality of which there are 
few examples, was pleased to bequeath to the 
Museum, where, due preparations having been 
made for its reception, it was actually deposited 
in the year 1799. To enumerate only the most 
considerable articles of these collections would far 
exceed the limits of this introduction ; but some 
idea may be formed of their importance, by the 
value set upon them by experienced dealers in 
the different branches, when the House of Com¬ 
mons 
