INTRODUCTION. 
ix 
were immediately proceeded upon; and the 
proper book-cases and cabinets having been com¬ 
pleted, and the collections removed thither, and 
properly distributed and arranged, the Museum 
was, at length, opened for study and public 
inspection, on the 15th of January, ]7 5 9* ** 
II. 
GRADUAL INCREASE. 
1 .—BY ROYAL AND PARLIAMENTARY GRANTS .. 
This establishment ranks the Sovereigns of 
these Kingdoms among its first and most muni¬ 
ficent benefactors. 
His late Majesty, fully impressed with a con¬ 
viction of the utility of this Institution, was, 
in the year graciously pleased to make 
over to this trust, the whole of the very choice 
and important library of printed books and 
c manuscripts, 
* Besides the ^20,000 paid for the Sloanean, and the 
,3010,000 for the Harleian, collections, and ^10,000 for Montague 
House, the sum of ^2S,QQ3. i5s. was laid out in the purchase 
of ^30,000 three per cent. Reduced Annuities, and appropriated 
to the maintenance of the establishment ; and the remaining 
^25,531. 3s . 2d. raised by the Lottery, scarcely sufficed to defray 
the expenses of repairs, cases, furniture, removing-the collections, 
and various other incidental charges. 
Royal 
Donations, 
George II, 
The Royal 
Library. 
