Drawings' was severed from that of the 'Antiquities' and
made a special charge. In like manner, the Department
of Natural History' was also (1837) subdivided; but in
this instance the one department became, eventually, three:
(1) Zoology; (2) Palæontology; (3) Mineralogy. The two
last-named divisions were first separated in 1857. How
the eight departments of 1860 have become twelve in 1869
will be seen hereafter.

It will also, I think, become apparent that this subdivision
of Departments has contributed, in an important measure,
to the enlargement of the several Collections; as well as to
their better arrangement, and to other exigencies of the
public service.

We have now to enumerate the more salient and important among the many successive acquisitions of the last forty years. Taken collectively, they have so enlarged the proportions of the national repository as to make the ‘British Museum' of 1831 scem, in the retrospect, as if, at that time, it had been yet in its infancy.

In 1831 there were still living-here and there--a few ancient Londoners whose personal recollections extended over the whole period during which the Museum had existed. One or two of them could, perhaps, still call to mind something of the aspect which the gaily painted and decorated rooms of old Montagu House presented when—as children-they had been permitted to accompany some fortunate possessor of a ticket of admission to 'see the curiosities, and were hurried by the Cerberus in charge for the day from room to room; the Cerberus aforesaid (dalome ki memory has been libelled) seeming to count the muutes, if a vizitor chanced to show the least desire for a closer impection of anything which caught his eye.

And,

Chap. I.

in some points-although certainly not in that point-the Book I Museum of 1831 was not very greatly altered, much as it INTRODUChad been enlarged, from the Museum of 1759. Cerberus TION. had long quitted his post; but many portions of the Collections he had had in charge retained their wonted aspect, much as he had left them.

Such octogenarian survivors—if endowed with a good memory-would see, in their latest visits to Great Russell Street much more to remind them of what they had seen in the first, than a new visitor of 1831 could now see,-in 1869,—were he, in his turn, striving to recall the impressions of his earliest visit.

The period now to be briefly outlined-in order to a fair preliminary view of our subject-is marked, like that of 1759-1831, by continued munificence on the part of private donors; but it is also marked-unlike that-by some approach towards proportionate liberality from the keepers of the public purse; as well as by energetic and persistent efforts for internal improvement, on the part both of Trustees and of Officers. It forms a quite new epoch. It may be said, unexaggeratedly, to have witnessed a re-foundation of the Museum, in almost everything that bears on its direct utility to the public.

In regard to this last period, however-no less than in regard to the foregoing one-only the more salient Collections can here be enumerated. Many minor ones have been passed over already, notwithstanding their intrinsic value. Many others-equally meriting notice, were space for it available--will have, in like manner, to be passed

over now.

BOOK 1,
Chap 1
INTRODUC

TION

CLASS III-Recent Accession-Collections.

1833-1869.

(XXXVI)

1833. The BORELL CABINET of GREEK and ROMAN COINS.

Collected by the late H. P. Borell, of Smyrna. Purchased by the Trustees for £1000.

1834. SAMS COLLECTION of EGYPTIAN ANTIQUITIES. Collected by Joseph Sams. Purchased, by a Parliamentary grant, for £2500.

[See Book III, Chapter 3.]

(XXXVIII)

1834 (and subsequent years). The HAWKINS FOSSILS.

Collected by Thomas Hawkins, of Glastonbury. Purchased, by successive grants of Parliament, in the years 1834 and 1540.

Bee Book III, Chapter 3.]

(XXXIX)

1835. The HARDWICKE ORNITHOLOGICAL MUseum. Collected by Major-General Hardwicke. Bequeathed by the Collector.

See Book III, Chapter 4.]

IL

1835. The SALT MUSEUM of EGYPTIAN ANTIQUITIES. Collected by Henry Salt, British Consul at Alex

andria (Died 30 October, 1827). Purchased (at various BOOK I,
times) by Parliamentary grants.

Of Mr. Salt's successive Collections of Egyptian
antiquities the most valuable portions have come to
the Museum; chiefly in the years 1823 and 1835.
[See Book III, Chapter 3.]

(XLI)

1836. The MARSDEN CABINET of ORIENTAL COINS. Collected by William Marsden (Died 6 October, 1836). Bequeathed by the Collector.

[See Book III, Chapter 3.]

(XLII)

1836. The SHEEPSHANKS COLLECTION of ETCHINGS, PRINTS, &c.

Collected by John Sheepshanks (Died October, 1863); and Given by the Collector.

(XLIII)

1837-43. The CANINO VASES.

A selection from the superb Museum of the Prince of Canino (Died 29 June, 1840); acquired by successive purchases before and after the Collector's death.

(XLIV)

1839. The MANTELL FOSSILS.

Collected by Gideon Algernon Mantell (Died November 10, 1850). Purchased by a Parliamentary grant. [See Book III, Chapter 4.]

Chap. I.
INTRODUC-
TION.

1

Воок 1, Chap. I. INTRODUC

TION.

(LIV)

1853. The GELL DRAWINGS.

Drawn and Collected by Sir William Gell (Died 4 February, 1836). Bequeathed by the Honorable Keppel Craven (Died 1853).

[See Book III, Chapter 3.]

(LV)

1853. The STEPHENS CABINET of BRITISH ENTO

MOLOGY.

Collected by James Francis Stephens (Died 22 December, 1852). Purchased by the Trustees.

Although this Collection contained about 88,000 specimens, it cost the Trustees only £400.

(LVI)

1854. The DES-HAYES TERTIARY FOSSILS.

Collected, in France, by M. Des Hayes. Purchased by the Trustees.

(LVII)

1855-1860. The HALICARNASSIAN and CNIDIAN MARBLES.

Discovered and excavated by C. T. Newton (then Vice-Consul at Mitylene) and other Explorers (earlier and later). In part Presented by Lord Canning of Redcliffe (then Ambassador at Constantinople); and in part excavated and transported by the Trustees, with the aid of Parliamentary grants made in 1855 and subsequent years.

[See Book III, Chapter 3.]