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MUSEUMS,

qaent observations. This learned body owes much for thearrangement of its treasures, we are told, to Dr. Smith.

It would be unpardonable not to notice the great andvarious collection of models, &c. in useful arts, manufac-tures, &c. of recent improvements, which are formed by theSociety for Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, andCommerce, in London , in the Adelphi, since its first esta-blishment by Mr. Sheepy.

But among the first museums in Europe ; nay, from whatcomparisons we have heard made by intelligent observers,as well English as foreign, we may say in the world, theBritish Museum claims a preference, as well from its mul-tifarious collections of natural history in every department,which can create attention, to the various rich produce ofnature: as well as to the most inestimable of antiquities.

To enrich this rare national collection, the whole world,ancient as well as modern, has contributed. We possessthe finest specimens of the sculptor’s art, from its first dawn-ing in Egypt till its latest close in Greece ; in its most polishedperiods particularly, besides what Rome has yielded. It ispresumed there is no library in the world calculated tocompare with it in the richness, variety, elegance, and num-ber of its books and manuscripts, which is daily increa-sing.

For the following particulars of this magnificent institu-tion, we are indebted to the synoptical catalogue of thecontents of this establishment, published in 1815, by orderof the trustees, and are extracted from the prefatoryobservations, where it is said, “ The project of a public esta-blishment of this nature, (i. e. national,) was first suggestedby the will of Sir Hans Sloane , late of Chelsea, in the countyof Middlesex, Bart, who, during a long period of eminentpractice in physic, had accumulated a very large collectionof natural and artificial curiosities, together with a verynumerous library of printed books, as well as MSS. and who,being well aware how much science is benefited by theopportunities which large aggregates of objects afford forcomparing them together, and marking their less obvious dif-ferences, was very solicitous that his sumptuous museum,which he declared had cost him upwards of £50,000, should,if possible, be preserved entire, and permanently dedicatedto public utility. With this view, he directed that the wholeof his museum should be offered to the British parliament,for the moderate sum of £20,000; that should this tendernot be accepted, the offer should be then made to certain

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