The British Museum

Abstract

IT is strange that such a statement as that advanced by Mr. W. Stanley Jevons in NATURE, Nov. 13, has so long remained unchallenged, viz. “that the British Museum exists not so much for the momentary amusement of gaping crowds of country people, who do not understand a single object on which they gaze, as for the promotion of scientific discovery, and the advancement of literary and historical inquiry.” No one will dispute the truth of these statements, but substitute the word “instruction” for “momentary amusement,” and I very much doubt if his views would meet with public approval. I have always looked upon the British Museum as the National Museum, and pre-eminently the Museum of the people, and, as such, the arrangement and labelling of the specimens should be of the most simple and instructive nature: nor is such an Object opposed to, but perfectly coincident with, the highest interests of science. No wonder the Museum is filled with “gaping crowds” when nothing is done to instruct them as to the nature of objects of which Mr. Stanley Jevons himself admits they are ignorant, nor to provide them with a suitable and educational guide-book, without which they are as sheep without a shepherd. When the Trustees of this Museum can spare time, they may, perhaps, be able to direct attention to the fuller development of its scientific and educational functions; as regards the former, by the establishment of one exclusively British Department; and, as regards the latter, by carrying out the very obvious suggestions which I have advanced. The view that science, or rather scientific men, should have a monopoly of the benefits to be derived from this Institution is astoundingly selfish and narrow-minded. If such are the views of the Trustees, the British Museum had better be closed to the public.