Our Museums ²

Abstract

THE object of the association, of which the manifold spheres of activity are chronicled in the Museums' Journal, is the promotion of the better and more systematic working of museums. That museums are destined to play a very important function in the future education of our race every curator is fully convinced. Yet anyone perusing the pages of the Museums Journal will be struck by the apparent want of unanimity among those into whose charge such institutions have been placed as to the best methods to be adopted in conveying to the public the educational advantages offered. A learned German museum official thought that if artistic skill were more cultivated in the public would, show increased appreciation for museums. He insists that the greater the knowledge of drawing in a community, the greater the value of a museum as an educational institution for a nation. Dr. Hecht, a French museum authority, advocates placing among natural history specimens a number of attractive and pleasing exhibits so as to lead the mind of the visitor to larger ideas, and to show him by well chosen illustrations in how many ways animal life is connected with human civilisation. Another gentleman argues that the doctrine of evolution should be the key-note of museum work, while Mr. Pycraft directs attention to a real defect in many of our museums in the manner in which our animals are mounted. He gives as an instance how the train of the peacock, commonly called its “tail,” is often placed as if it arose from the hinder end of the body, while in reality when erect it stands in front of the wings, as shown in the accompanying illustration reproduced from Mr. Pycraft's paper.