INTRODUCTION. 
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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 ; II. 
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. 
, FOUNDATION BY PARLIAMENT. 
The project of a public establishment of this The sioaneaa 
r r . . Museum, 
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 practice in physic, had accumulated a 
B very 
