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BRITISH MUSEUM. _

STATEMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS

RESPECTING
THE WANT OF SPACE

IN THAT INSTITUTION.

(Privately printed by order and for the exclusive use of the
Trustees.)

EXTRACT From A ReEporT OF THE PRINCIPAL
LIBRARIAN.
October 8th, 1857.

«The consideration of the want of space, and
“of how space is to be provided, becomes daily
“more pressing ; and the Principal Librarian
“begs to invite the earnest attention of the
*< Trustees to this subject.”

EXTRACTs FROM THE MINUTES OF THE TRUSTEES.
At A COMMITTEE.
10th October, 1857.

The Principal Librarian’s Report of the 8th
Wibod <7)a7.i =) « urging the necessity of providing
additional space, was read, and referred to the
Sub-Commiitee on the Buildings, which was or-
dered to be summoned for Monday, the 19th

inst., at twelve o’clock.
B

|
|

AT A Sus-ComMITTEE ON THE BuILpINGs.
October 19th, 1857.
Read,

Report of the Principal Librarian, dated the
8th inst., announcing the arrival of antiquities
from Budrum and Carthage, as well as the tem-
porary arrangement of some of them, and the
further increase of antiquities that may be ex-
pected from the same quarters. ‘The Principal
Librarian urged the ‘Trustees to take into consi-
deration the want of space for displaying the
Museum collections, and the question how space
is to be provided.

Ordered,

That the Principal Librarian do furnish this
Sub-Committee with detailed information and
explanations on the following points :—

1. A statement of the space aliotted to the dif-
ferent departments at present.

2. Of the deficiency of space complained of in
any department.

3. Whether any limitation can properly be put
on any of the collections; and if so,

4, The amount of accommodation likely to be
obtained by such limitation.

5. Supposing sufficient room cannot thus be
obtained, then in what way would it best be pro-
cured ?

3

6.-Is there any space vacant in the ground
now helonging to the Trustees which may yet be
built upon ? |

7. Are there sites contiguous to the Mu-
seum which may be purchased by the Trustees
for the purpose of enlarging the Museum build-
ings ?

8. What would be the probable expense of
purchasing ?

The Principal Librarian is hereby requested
to add to his Report on the above points such
general observations as he may deem of sufficient
importance for the consideration of the ‘Trustees ;
the Report to be submitted to this Sub-Committee
at their next meeting.

REPORT OF THE PrinctpaL LIBRARIAN.
Nov. 10th, 1857.

In obedience to the Minute of the Sub-Com-
mittee on the Buildings passed on the 19th day
of last October, the Principal Librarian has the
honor to report as follows :—

1. As to the space allotted to the several
departments, the Principal Librarian begs to re-
fer the Sub-Committee to the following memo-

randa of Mr. Smirke.

“‘ British Museum, superficial area occupied
by the several departments. Nov. 1857.
B

4:

“ Antiquities.
| Ground floor . . 89,334 feet super.
: Upper floor Pee 532 o

Exclusive of basement, 60,866 os

| : “ Printed Books.
{| e
1 Ground floor, Main ;
Building : \ 97,955
New buildings, in
quadrangle . \ ee

| 83,748 5

ee pees

“ Manuscripts.
Ground floor . . 12,968 ,

“ Zoology.
Ground floor . : 1,550 -
Upper floor ; a QS.a0y 4s

29,907 99
“« Mineralogy.
Upper floor 27165830 Os
“* Botany.

Upper floor. 3,249 o

4)

“ Prints.
Upper floor. 1,550 feet super.

SYDNEY SMIRKE.

vou. 7, Loo7.”

Superficial area occupied by the several De-
partments in the Basement floor of the Museum.

Antiquities : . 33,861 feet super.

Printed Books . . 83,998 a
Manuscripts : : 210 ne
Zoology . : 4 7,593 Ls
Mineralogy : 3 2,580 a
Botany . A : 990 -

SYDNEY SMIRKE.
*¢ Nov. 20, 1857.”

2. “ Of the deficiency of space complained of
on any department.”

Deficiency of space is complained of in all de-
partments except that of Printed Books, in which,
if any very large portion of the volumes now in
the British Museum be not removed into the
new library, there is room for many years’ addi-
tions. ‘The Principal Librarian thinks that as to
the Department of Manuscripts there is sufficient
accommodation, if proper use be made of the
space now allotted to that department; and there
will be little difficulty in adding to it. The room,

ee an

6

known as the waiting room,* on the south-east of
the entrance-hall, which was temporarily lent to

the Department of Printed Books, is now being

placed at the disposal of the Department of
Manuscripts, to which it properly belongs.
About one-third of the long room on the east
side of the King’s Library, viz. that portion of
it which extends from the south end of the cen-
tral division of that Library to the study now
occupied by the assistant-keeper of the MSS.,”
may be taken from the Department of Printed
Books and given up to the Department of Manu-
scripts ; and the study* removed to the north end
of the part thus transferred. ‘This would afford
accommodation for several thousand volumes of
MSS., as well as for students, assistants, and
attendants.

The collection of MSS. increases at a smaller
rate than the other Museum collections. It
may be safely assumed that the average increase
will not exceed five hundred volumes per annum.

The specimens in the Department of Geology
are overcrowded, not only to the inconvenience
of students and scientific men, but to that of the
public generally. If the scheme be carried
out, of walling up the windows on the north side
of the north gallery in the upper floor,* and

@ Plan I1., 59. > Plan eco,
© Plan II., 57. 4 Plan IIL, 31, &e.

4

making the wall-surface available for the display
of specimens, the space thus gained will prove
of advantage for some time to come, provided
~ no large fossil remains be added to the collec-
tion. The wall-space so obtained cannot, how-
ever, be all spared for new additions. At the
north end of the large tables in those rooms there
are smaller tables, which will have to be removed,
if presses be put up against the north wall: and
room for the contents of those tables must be
provided in the presses which are to be sub-
stituted. 7

As to the Mineralogical Collection, valuable
space may be obtained by fitting all the under
part of the show-tables with drawers, which might
contain such specimens as are kept for the use of
students and scientific men, to whom they are ex-
hibited on application. Some of the cases are
already so fitted up. ‘The same advantage may
be derived from the space under the tables con-
taining geological specimens. ‘This, to some ex-
tent, is already done for small specimens ; but it
cannot be done for any of a large size. In con-
clusion, it may be said that although want of room
will be less felt, and more easily provided against,
in this department of Natural History, it does not
seem that the additional space to be gained by all
the above-mentioned expedients will satisfy the
wants even of the Mineralogical and Geological
Departments for more than seven years at the

8

utmost. ‘The north side of the upper floor being
the only one now provided with windows, the
ventilation of all the public apartments-on that
floor depends in a great measure on those win-
‘dows. Provision, therefore, will have to be made,
before they are closed up, for securing the ven-
tilation throughout the whole of the upper floor.

This seems to be the proper place to notice
the scheme of building studies, not only for the
officers, but for the assistants also in the Geolo-
gical and Mineralogical Departments. On this
subject, the Principal Librarian begs to refer the
Trustees to a letter of Mr. Smirke to Sir H.
Ellis, dated the 14th of February, 1852. ‘That
letter, inserted in a subsequent part of this re-
port, was laid before Parliament on the 30th
of June, 1852.

It has been represented that the new Keeper
of Mineralogy will require facilities for submit-
ting minerals tosome chemical tests and analyses.
If so, special provision must be made for affording
to that officer this additional accommodation.

In connection with the subject of space it may
be important to consider how room is to be pro-
vided, should it be decided that lectures be de-
livered at the British Museum. ‘The delivery of
lectures is a duty imposed on the Superintendent
of the Department of Natural History, who, last
year, delivered a course at the Museum of Prac-
tical Geology in Jermyn Street. The question

9

whether ectures are or are not likely to be de-
livered, and by what officers, in the British
Museum, affects the question of the space which
may be required for each department, as was ob-
served by the Superintendent of the Natural
History Departments in his report of the 12th of
June, 1856, with respect to those departments
only.

_ With respect to the Zoological Department
the case is more difficult to be dealt with. Any
one walking through it can see how much the
specimens are crowded in the presses as well as
in the table-cases, and how inconveniently they
are necessarily placed for the purpose of exhi-
bition. No one specimen can be scientifically
examined without displacing two or three others.
The Osteological Collections, as well as many of
the specimens preserved in spirit, being placed in
the basement, are withdrawn altogether from pub-
lic exhibition, and their existence is known only to
scientific men, who see them and study them on
special application alone, and at great personal
inconvenience. ‘The collection of sects is kept
in a gloomy room ten feet high, crowded with
presses, tables, assistants, officers, and visitors,” to
which access is obtained through a door leading
abruptly down several steps to a narrow, low,
dark passage,” like the entrance to a cellar. It is

@Plan IL, 30. > Plan IL, 29.

i0

also through that door and passage that admit-
tance is gained to the studies of the Keeper of
that department, and of his first assistant,* who
are thus removed to the greatest possible distance
from the main body of the collection under their
care. Placing a gallery all round the upper
part of the Ornithological Room? will, in the
opinion of the Officers of that department,
give them space for seven years at the very
utmost. But it may be assumed that that
gallery will not be completed in less than
three years from this time; and as the advan-
tage to be derived from such a gallery will
apply only to small objects, the Osteological
Collection® must continue in the basement.
Even now the Collection of Mammalia is greatly
deficient, because there is no room to place the
specimens which it would be desirable to add to
it. Many such specimens would have been ac-
cepted as presents, but have been declined for
this reason. For objects of this class the in-
tended gallery will afford no relief. The opinion
of the Officers is that the Zoological Collection
now in the Museum, in order to be arranged
and displayed as it ought to be, requires twice —
as much space as that which it occupies at pre-
sent; and that such a collection, to be worthy of
an Institution like the British Museum, ought to
Plan £15523: > Plan IIL, 35 to 39.
‘Plan Te:

11

consist of twice as many objects as it now con-
tains.°

Inthe Department of Prints and Drawings the
want of room, even to lodge the portfolios con-
taining the collection, is sufficiently shown by the
placing of presses in the narrow passage” leading
from the landing to the Print Room.< The dis-
play of some of the best prints and drawings has
often been entertained by the Trustees, who felt
how important it was that this should be done, but
who never could carry their intention into effect for
wantofroom. The Kouyunjik Room, by the side of
the north-western portion of the Egyptian Saloon,*
had been built for the purpose of such an exhi-—
bition, when the influx of Assyrian Antiquities
forced the Trustees to devote that Room to their
display, adjourning to an indefinite period the
exhibition of the objects for which it was origi-
nally intended.

4The Keeper of the Department of Zoology concludes a
report, dated the 22nd of October, 1857, with the following
words :—“ Dr. Gray considers it his duty to state, that, at
- “the present time, more than half of the collection is
“hidden from the public view, indeed he might almost say
** two-thirds, when the annulose animals are included ; and
‘that the part of the collection that is exhibited, ought to
‘have at least twice its present space for its proper exhibi-
‘tion.’ ‘The Superintendent of the Departments of
Natural History concurs in these views.

Poblam Lt. 19. eelan TE. 20.
4 Plan IT, 24.

2

But in no department of the British Museum
is the want of accommodation for the collections
so striking as in that of Antiquities. Any one.
entering the Roman Room, immediately to
the left of the Entrance Hall, must regret that
objects are placed on its south side, where the
hight is very deficient, whilst on the opposite side
busts and other objects are overcrowded; the
statues and busts at the south end of the Egyptian
Saloon (first Graeco-Roman Room)’ are also badly
placed, both on account ef want of space and of
suitable light; the same may be said as to the
inconvenient crowding of the objects placed in the
third Greco-Roman Room.‘ At the end of that
room a staircase leads to a part of the basement,*
whence visitors are forced to return the way they
have gone down. In other parts of the basement,”
not yet open to the public,are objects of Antiquity,
to which access is obtained by another narrow
staircase,‘ which gives the only means of inress
and regress to and from dark rooms, in some of
which it is utterly impossible to see many of the
objects there kept. Owing to the removal of the
remains of the pediment of the Parthenon from
the second? to the first EJgin Room, the
frieze and metopes are now seen to much

2Plan WW) 3. b Plan II., 8.
¢Plan II., 10. d Plan I., 1.
calaniee Ae ty. f Plan IT., 20.

Plan 5, 7: h Plan II., 18.

13

greater advantage; but the Room into which
‘the statues of the pediment have been removed *
is hardly large enough to enable the spec-
tator to see to proper advantage these splendid
objects of heroic art. Large fragments of the
sculptures are still on the floor of the Room con-
taining the collections from Lycia,’ it being
impossible to find an unobjectionable spot, in
which they may be fixed in the room itself.

If every room in the Department of Antiquities
were to be examined in the same manner, the same
observations would apply, with the exception of
those reserved for British and Medieval Anti-
quities,° for which more than adequate space is
provided, whilst the Townley Terracottas have
not been exhibited for years past ; and the collec-
tions of gems, of Etruscan and even British gold
ornaments, and of many other instructive, interest-
ing and tasteful objects, are in a room* from which
the general public are excluded, and worse off
than was the case when the old Townley Gallery
and Medal Room were in existence.

As to the Medal Room itself® the cabinets are
inconveniently arranged, owing to want of space ;
it 1s now proposed that a portion, at least, of the
books of reference collected for the use of the de-
partment, and kept in that room, be removed to

2 Plan II., 14. P Plane: 1S.

© Plan CT., 9. Plan TL, 4.
S"Plan LIL 8.

i4

the narrow passage*® through which access is
given both to the Medal and Ornament Rooms ;
this must cause convenience to officers, visitors,
and scholars, who have occasion to attend those
rooms. And it is owing to want of space that
the public at large are debarred from gratifying
their laudable curiosity, and improving their his-
torical knowledge, as well as their taste for fine art,
by the inspection of medals and coins. As there
is no exhibition of such objects, or even of casts
or electrotypes of them, a medal or coin, which
finds its way into the British Museum, is actually
shut up from the public at large.

The above observations, however, apply only
to the collections already displayed; the want of
room for such additional Antiquities as have been
recently received, especially from Halicarnassus
and Carthage, has so lately been under the con-
sideration of the ‘Trustees that no more is here
required than to mention what measures have been
taken, merely to stow away these objects for the
present. In the first place, the space hitherto oc-
cupied by the Newspapers, in the basement of
the north-side of the Museum,” has been appro-
priated as a store-room, in which the boxes filled
with the smaller fragments of Antiquities from
Budrum have been deposited and the contents
of most of them taken out and placed on the

2 1 Sever iG Baya) b Plan I., 14.

i in

15

shelves on which the volumes of Newspapers
originally stood. Secondly, the basement in
the Department of Antiquities, hitherto oc-
cupied by the Formatore, has been applied to the
reception of Antiquities from Carthage.* The re-
moval of the casts and moulds, the hiring of a
building out of the premises of the Museum to
which they have been transferred, and the ar-
rangements entered into for the making of moulds
and supplying of casts in future, have occasioned
an outlay, which will, in part, be annual, so long
as no accommodation for these objects can be
found on the Museum premises. Adequate space
is also required in the Museum for making new
moulds,” for preserving a perfect copy of each
cast, as well as for putting in order the moulds of
medals already in the possession of the Trustees,
and for arranging casts from them.’ ‘Thirdly,
the larger objects from Halicarnassus have been
placed under the west portion of the front colon-
nade,* where they will be protected from rain,
snow, and cold, be to some extent seen, and
their repairs carried on. ‘There is no other
space where any portion of these objects could

@ Plan I., 11. No. 12 is now filled with Halicarnassian
Antiquities.

> Plan I., 10. This room might be adapted to the use
mentioned in the text of the Report.

© Plan I, 18, might be fitted up for the purpose.

PPelan LT, by.

lo

be even temporarily deposited, still less repaired
and displayed: the temporary arrangements above
mentioned occasion, of course, considerable ex-
pense, which is owing to want of space.

3. “ Whether any limitation can properly be
put on any of the collections ; and, 7 so,

4. “ The amount of accommodation likely to
be obtained by such limitation.”

The answer to the second of these questions
(No. 4) depends so entirely on the answer to the
first (No. 3), that both will be here considered
together.

It seems to the Principal Librarian that, in
the case of Antiquities, such a limitation as that
contemplated in the question might take place
with great advantage to the Museum and to the
public. The Principal Librarian assumes that
the word “limitation” implies the adoption of a
principle affecting not only the future, but the
past. ‘The crowding into one Institution many
collections, even belonging, generally, to the same
class of learning, interferes with the full develop-
ment of each of them. A Museum of Medieval
Antiquities, for Instance, can be made more com-
plete, and be better arranged, if alone, than if
it is to share both funds and space with another
class of objects of Antiquity. The several collec-
tions will be in the way of each other ; and, in the
opinion of the Principal Librarian,thereis nothing

ei,

more injurious to the progress of learning, and to
the proper growth of a public Institution, than that
it should be inordinately and indiscriminately
increased, merely with a view to its being a huge
receptacle for all kinds of objects, the visitors of
which are distracted and bewildered. It is as
inconvenient and equally to be avoided, on the
other hand, that objects, so to speak, homogene-
ous should be dispersed in separate repositories.
A majolica plate, with a date, or the name of the
painter or artist, ought not to be in one public
Institution, whilst many other plates of the same
epoch, and of the same style, which might be
illustrated and made infinitely more interesting
or instructive, if side by side with the former, are
in another.

By limiting the British Museum Collections of
Antiquities to Classical or Pagan art, as was in a
great measure the case a few years ago, space
might at once be found to display to the public
view a selection of medals, the gems, and the gold
ornaments, the Townley Terracottas, &c. All that
space which is now occupied by Mediseval Anti-
quities, by what are called British or Irish Anti-
quities, and by the Ethnological Collection,*? might
thus be turned to better account. It does not seem
right that such valuable space should be taken up
by Esquimaux dresses, canoes, and hideous feather

® Plan LEE}:

OQ

18

idols, broken flints, called rude knives, and so on,
to the exclusion of such objects as have been just
before mentioned.

But, after all, the elimimation here suggested
would be quite inefficient in providing adequate
space even for the Department of Antiquities.
And with respect to the Departments of Printed
Books, Manuscripts, and Prints, there is no
possibility of properly putting a limitation to
any of them. In regard to the several depart-
ments of Natural History, the Principal Librarian
is precluded from giving an opinion, having been
especially charged not to speculate on the possi-
bility of the Natural History collections being
ever detached from the rest of the Museum. To
limit any of the collections is tantamount to
excluding parts of them from the Museum.

5. “ Supposing sufficient room cannot thus
be obtained, then in what way would it best be
procured 2”

The Principal Librarian being of opinion that
a limitation put to the collections, in the above
restricted manner, however expedient in itself,
would prove inadequate as to space, even for
one department, will now consider in what way
room could be best procured, without either
building on any vacant space belonging to the
Trustees, or purchasing land to build upon
contiguous to the Museum. These two means

19

of increasing the room wanted will have to be
considered hereafter.

Space for exhibiting the collections, without
extending the site of the building, can be gained
only by changing the appropriation of the rooms,
or improving their internal arrangement, or by
adding another story to the whole or to a large
part of the present building. No additional space
can be obtained on the ground-floor for large
antiquities, and it is on that floor alone that they
can be well placed, without removing from their
present localities the Collections of Printed Books
and Manuscripts, at a very great cost of time and
money. ‘This change would eventually render
other changes necessary 1n the whole building.
For, supposing these two collections, of Printed
Books and Manuscripts, were to be located, at
great inconvenience, in the new central building,
further room would, in about twenty years, be
wanted for the additions even to them.* The

@ The removal of all the Collections of Printed Books and
Manuscripts from their present localities seems liable, for
the present at least, to insurmountable objections. The
scheme which promises considerable advantages, and ap-
pears open to fewer objections, is that of removing the
Printed Books from the lower shelves of the north portion
of the north side of the main building (Plan II., 34, 35, 39,
40, 42, 44), leaving those books which now occupy the
Cracherode Room (Plan II., 37), the recesses in a line with
it on the south side of the Central Room (Plan IT, 41),
and the Banksian Room where they are (Plan II., 43),

c 2

20

alterations in the internal arrangements can
never be so extensive as to affect the question of
increased space to any considerable degree. And
on the other hand, the limited accommodation that
may be thus gained, may greatly interfere with
the appropriation of other parts of the building,

and render more useful changes impossible. |

The upper portion of the western end of the north side
(Plan II., 33) might, perhaps, and according to circum-
stances, be transferred to the Department of Prints and
Drawings, whilst the whole length of the ground-floor on
that side might be available for Antiquities. These sug-
gestions are submitted to invite discussion. It may be ob-
jected—Ist. That the lower presses here alluded to would
have to be broken up. 2nd. That alterations would be
required in that part of the main-building for the admis-
sion of additional light. 3rd. That by removing the
books before specified into the new building, less space
would remain for future additions. With respect to this
point, it may be observed that by leaving the books in the
galleries of the North Rooms, the removal of the volumes
below might be easily accomplished; that not only that
portion of the walls which is above the galleries would be
utilized, but that the space over the upper presses, now
lost, might at any future time be also occupied by octavo or
smaller volumes, whilst all the presses in the new building
can receive books of various large sizes. Again: the
presses in the galleries might easily be made two or three
inches deeper, as has been done in the Department of MSS. ;
in which case they would admit quartos and even small
folios. ‘The space, now wasted, above the upper shelves
in the Department of MSS., might, when wanted, be also
made available.

a4

By removing the principal staircase,* and erect-
ing two large staircases one on each side of the en-
trance from the hall into the new Reading Room,”
the Building would be improved, the convenience
of the visitors better consulted, and two very
excellent rooms with a north light, one of them
on the ground-floor, would be gained for the
Department of Antiquities.

It has been suggested to apply the Officers’
houses to the reception and exhibition of the col-
lections. ‘The whole of those houses would have
to be almost rebuilt, the space gained would not
be extensive, and the Officers, if no longer dwell-
ing in the Museum, would cease to form, as they
do at present, an integral part of the establish-
ment. Nothing but a case of well-proved ne-
cessity would seem to justify the adoption of such
a suggestion.

“<6. Is there any space in the ground now
belonging to the Trustees which may yet be
built upon ?”

The only two vacant spaces in the ground be-
longing to the Trustees, outside the main-building,
which may yet be built upon, are, Ist, the space
between the south side of the Lycian Room and
the corridor leading to Mr. Carpenter’s house.°

a Plan II., 69. > Plan II., 80.
“Plan iiesi.

ee

How much of that space might be built upon
without depriving of air and light the surround-
ing rooms, and especially the Board Room, as well
as the rooms of the Principal Librarian and of
the Clerks,’ will require great deliberation. It will,
probably, be found that the inconveniences which
must result from occupying even the smallest part
of that space with building will more than coun-
terbalance the comparatively triflmg amount of
accommodation which such a building might
afford.

The second piece of ground which may yet be
built upon is between the south end of the Print
Room and the north end of the second Elgin
Room.” With reference to this ground, and
the uses to which it might be converted, as well
as with reference to the objections to them, the
Principal Librarian begs to refer the Trustees
to Mr. Smirke’s letter, above mentioned, and
which is as follows :—

‘‘ Dear Sir,—In compliance with the desire of
‘the Trustees expressed at their meeting of the
“7th instant, | have read the reports of: Mr.
‘Gray and of Mr. Carpenter, and have commu-
* nicated with those gentlemen as to the additional
‘rooms required by them, and have especially
‘considered how far such additional rooms can
‘be obtained at the north-western corner of the

ayPlan st AG 27. > Plan I.. 31.

23

** Museum premises. The subject is one of much
*« oreater difficulty than might have been expected,
“but I have not failed to give it every considera- —
‘¢tion in my power. ‘There appear to me to be
‘¢two plans capable of adoption.

‘©1.—To build a new Room for prints, &c.,
‘on the vacant ground north of the Elgin
‘¢Room, and on the same level therewith. ‘To
“leave the present Print Room (with the Insect
“ Room under it) as itis, but devoting it to the
‘public exhibition of prints, &c., leaving also
‘Mr. Gray’s and Mr. Carpenter’s studies as
“(hey are.” ”

«2.—To build a new gallery for prints, &c.,
“asin Plan VIL. To lower the floors of the
‘present Print Room and studies to the general
‘‘level of the ground-floor, thereby destroying
*‘ the present Insect Room and Zoological studies,
‘‘and bringing the whole department to one
‘level. To build new rooms for the Entomo-
‘logical and Osteological Collections over the
*‘ Print Department, with access from the Minera-
“logical Department.” *

“Tam quite aware that both of these plans
‘are open to many objections. No. VII. does not
‘‘ meet the want of space for the Osteological Col-
* lection, and No. VIII. only meets it imperfectly ;
‘‘for, the present specimens of recent osteology,
‘“‘ now kept in the basement, would alone far more
‘than fill all the space that this plan would

= Plan VII, > Plan VIII.

ee ee ee ey en

24

‘‘afford. Neither plan obviates the objection

“to the present position of the Insect Room and
al e s s
*« Zoological studies, disconnected as they are

“from the rest of Zoology. No. VII. retains
‘‘ the present irregularity in the floor levels, and
‘* No. VIII. whilst 1t remedies that defect, gives
“a very bad entrance for the public to the Print
“ Department; it moreover precludes the possi-
‘‘ bility of extending the Mineralogical studies,
‘which Mr. Waterhouse represents to me as of
‘‘oreat importance. It is probable, also, that
*“No. VIII. would somewhat diminish the light in
“the north portion of the Egyptian Saloon.
‘* Still these two plans comprise the best scheme
‘that can be devised at the north-west corner of
“the Museum.”

“There is no doubt whatever that the only per-
‘« fectly satisfactory project would be one that would
‘devote the whole of this north-west corner to
the Antiquities Department, and would remove
“ the Zoological Collections, as well as the prints
‘and drawings, to the new east wing that has
** long been contemplated by the Trustees. Ento-
“ mology and Osteclogy would then combine with
‘‘ the other branches of natural history, whilst the
‘‘ prints and drawings would be adjacent to the
‘‘ Department of Manuscripts where they for-
‘“‘merly were, and to which they seem naturally
** to appertain.

“But in making these latter cbservations I

NR Hg

25

“fear I am exceeding the limits assigned by the
‘‘terms of the reference to me of the 7th instant.”
“lam, &c.,
« SYDNEY SMIRKE.”

«© P.S.—I hope that the limited time that has
** been allowed for the consideration of the sub-
* ject will be regarded as an excuse for my sub-
““mitting a paragraph which it appears to me
“desirable to add to my Report.

‘A very large and commodious gallery for
“‘osteology might be obtained, consistently with
‘Plan VII., by building over the whole area
“west of the Assyrian Room, lighted of course
‘‘by skylights, the roof ranging with the roof of
“‘the Assyrian Room, and the floor being level
‘with the general floor line of the Museum.

“< There are, no doubt, objections of more or less
*‘ weight to this plan; but provided always there
“be no probability of extending the limits of the
‘‘ Museum ground, this seems to me to offer the
‘least objectionable way of adding considerably
* to the accommodation of the Zoological Depart-
“ment. If there be a probability of extending
“the Museum ground, then I would suggest the
‘‘adoption of Plan ViI., without the large low
‘“room above described.”

“Heb. 14, 1852.” “S$. SMIRKE.”

During last summer the Principal Librarian,
considering the great want of accommedation on

26

the ground-floor, thought that use might be
made of a large space——which is now appa-
rently thrown away—namely the space between
the new Library and the walls of the main
building which surround it. The Principal Li-
brarian suggested to the Trustees the expediency
of covering over that space with skylights, and
making it available for Antiquities, and the
suggestion was favourably received. but, on
further consideration, the Principal Librarian
is obliged to confess that the objections to this
suggestion are stronger than he at first deemed
them to be, and that the proposal ought not
to be entertained. The air of this inner
quadrangle would never be changed, the sur-
rounding basement rooms would lose a large
supply of light which they can ill spare, there
would be no external approach to the new Read-
ing Room and Libraries, and the atmosphere in
the space covered over, as suggested, would be
almost unfit to breathe, especially when a large
number of visitors passed through it In sum-
mer.

7. ‘Are there sites contiguous to the Museum
which may be purchased by the Trustees for the
purpose of enlarging the Museum Buildings 2”

8. ‘ What would the probable expense be of
purchasing 2?”

* Plan IL., 70, 71, 72, 78, 75, 76, 78, 79.

27

Contiguous to the Museum there are the houses
and gardens on the east side of Bedford Square,
on the south side of Montague Place, and on the
west side of Montague Street; which might be
built upon for the purpose of enlarging the Mu-
seum building. The Trustees submitted many
years ago, the purchase of ground contiguous to
the Museum, and the amount of the requisite out-
lay, to the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty’s
Treasury ; and in the letter of Mr. Forshall to
their Lordships, dated the 20th of March,1848,
the following words occur :—“ It is not within
“the province of the Trustees to determine on
*‘ the policy of incurring the expenditure which
‘would be required.” That letter was laid
before Parliament, together with the one of Mr.
Smirke, above quoted, dated the 14th of Feb-
ruary, 1852.

In a letter recently addressed to the Principal
Librarian, and dated the 9th November, 1857, Mr.
Smirke suggests the purchase of sixteen houses
on the south side of Montague Place; and there
is no doubt that that would be the most desirable
site to build upon of all the sites contiguous to
the Museum. Mr. Smirke estimates the expense
at £170,000, for the whole site and building, as
will appear from his letter, which is as fol-
lows :-—

‘Feeling very averse to the idea of dismem-
‘“‘bering the Museum, and believing that, so far

28

«from its having become an overgrown establish-
“ment, it is by no means even yet commensurate
‘‘with the greatness of the country; yet seeing
“that there may be financial reasons against that
“very great enlargement which has, by some, been
“contemplated, [have thought that the Trustees
“would permit me to suggest a middle course,
“whereby the requirements of the two Depart-
“ments which alone need any considerable exten-
“sion, may, without Immediate expense, be amply
“ provided for for a great number of years.

‘«‘ My suggestion is to build a north wing on the
site of the houses which form the south side of
Montague Place.*

“'The purchase of the sixteen houses would be
‘‘ effected for about £50,000 or £60,000.

‘‘A plain, but suitable, building” couid be
‘built in four years at a cost, if by contract, of
‘about £110,000.

«Thus by an expenditure of about £34,000 per
“annum for five years, galleries would be obtained,
‘‘ affording an area of 55,000 feet superficial, ex-
‘«-clusive of space on the basement story.

‘‘These new rooms would join on at the west
‘‘end to the Antiquities and at the east end to
‘the Natural History Departments.

“The lighting of these rooms would be good,
‘as the northerly aspect affords the most uniform

‘‘and convenient light.

* Plan LV. > Plan V.

29

«No existing hghts would be interfered with,
‘as the new buildings would be about 115 feet to
“ the north of the present buildings : thus leaving
“a clear interval equal to about the width of
‘“‘ Portland Place.

«I beg leave to add that, should it be deemed
“‘inexpedient to undertake the whole of this plan,
‘it would admit of being readily divided : one por-
‘tion being carried out now, and the remainder
‘Sat some future time. _

“‘ By such a plan 15,000 feet superficial would
‘“‘ be obtained (exclusive of the basement story) at
‘“‘a cost of about £40,000, including the purchase
‘“‘of four houses.

“Oth Nov. 1857. SYDNEY SMIRKE.”

Some years ago one of the Trustees suggested
to his colleagues that the block of houses opposite
the Museum on the south side of Great Russell
Street, extending back to Little Russell Street,
and bounded on the east by Bury Street, and on
the west by Museum Street, should be pur-
chased, a special building erected thereon for
some one of the large departments of the Mu-
seum, with a facade in keeping with the present
building, and which would in turn be advanta-
geously placed with the present Museum quad-
rangle opposite to it. The imconvenience of
having the Museum cut into two by a broad
street passing between the two buildings, the

i
I
'
|
ie
i
e
ts

30

additional number of servants which that circum-
stance would render necessary, and many other
reasons, seem decidedly to militate against the
adoption of this proposal.

In conclusion, the Principal Librarian begs to
observe that in his opinion the time is come
when the question of space requires the full and
mature consideration of the ‘Trustees, not merely
with the view of providing for the immediate
wants of any particular collection, but for the
purpose of devising some comprehensive plan, by
which the want of space might be provided
against for the general advantage of the Institu-
tion, and in a manner worthy of it. To do this
the limitation or extension not merely of the

other collections, but of the natural history col-

lections also, and not only with reference to each
other, but with reference to the whole Museum,
must be eventually considered. Supposing that,
as Mr. Forshall said in 1848, the Trustees do
not think it their province to determine on the
policy of incurring a large expenditure in the
purchase of ground, they might possibly think it
right to learn the views of the Government be-
fore assuming that such expenditure would or
would not be sanctioned, and they would then
act accordingly. |
A. Panizzt.

31

The foregoing report was in type when the
Principal Librarian received from Mr. Smirke
the following letter :—

: ‘¢ Grosvenor Street,
“ Dec. 3rd, 1857.
<* DEAR SIR,

*‘ Since the delivery of my report of the
“Oth ultimo, suggesting a plan for extending
“the Museum northwards, your proposal of
‘‘ extending the west boundary line of the Mu-
‘‘seum premises, as shown by the dotted lines
“qa.in Plan IV., by purchasing a small por-
‘‘ tion of the gardens in the rear of five houses
“in Bedford Square, has induced me to submit
‘‘for the consideration of the Trustees a second
*‘ plan, by which great additional accommodation
** will be gained at much less than a proportionate
“ expense.*

*“« By this plan, 14,000 feet superficial of ex-
“hibition rooms are obtained (in addition to
“‘the area stated in my former report), and the
“‘ cost, including the purchase of the garden
‘«* oround, I estimate at about £36,000.

“¢ Upon the above plan, I also showa suggestion
*“‘ for obtaining at moderate cost a fine hall, about
“« 240 feet long, by 60 feet wide,” and 28 feet high,
“on the basement level, lighted by skylights.

“The probable cost of such a building would
“be about £22,000.

@ Plan VI. > Plan VI. ee.

“It will be observed that no existing lights
‘would be interfered with by this building, as
‘‘ its roof would be below the sills of the ground-
*< floor windows, exactly as in the case of the new
« Assyrian Gallery.

“I beg leave to suggest that these plans may
“be regarded as mere sketches, made to enable
“the ‘Trustees more readily to understand my
“‘ suggestions, rather than as deliberately consi-
“ dered designs.

“ Tam, dear Sir,
“‘ Very faithfully yours,
*‘ SYDNEY SMIRKE.”
SOA? Pani, Ksq:;
Sede LO AMM Oo OR MAT wd 8

The Principal Librarian ventures to recom-
mend the above suggestions to the favourable
consideration of the Trustees, should the pro-
posed extension of the Museum be approved.

Ase:
British Museum, Dec. 4, 1857.

NO 1.

Ey
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—_—_—_— i ——

BRITISH MUSEUM.

PLAN OF THE BASEMENT FLOOR. =

—$<———j————

——

—— Een

OE Sf Gis 2

TABLE oF REFERENCES,

Graco Iomav Basanaw Roo.
StQarcase.
Story and Repairs Rooms.
Temporary Assyrian’ Rooney
Assyria Baserunv Roorv
Spulchiral Basenaw Roar
Passage and Staircase.
Students’ Toon,
Attardarcds’ Roorr

Cast Room,

Tamporary Carthagaéan Rocms

. Store Fear.
. Proposed) Cory Moulds.

ee Rooms tor Halicarnassiar/

| Aneiguitios.

- Geological Story & Warky Rooms,
. Proposd Story Hooms.

Store Rooms tor Minerals & Fossils.

. Loolagical Store Rooms.
. Skdetor Roo.

The departrerdy of Mineralogy ts detireeds by ar Brow Fits
_— Zo0legy——_ 5/1

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ER

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SI. 32.

24. 25.

HOUSES

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75.
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74,

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READING

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——— —— == =|
TABLE orf REFERENCES.
\. Fient Clonnade:
2. Eratrance Hall
38. Romaw Gallery:
4. Trustees Rocm,
=. 5. Qalis Reon,
—— 6. Clerks Toon.
Wy 7. Study,
44. HI 8. Fast Grace Roman Saloons
SIS 9. Second’ Graco Rorman/ Saloon,

1

aa

——

( REFERENCES CONTINUED )

—_|—
tw round Nay Livrany-

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| 76.

71
| 7:
| 79.

| 80. é

Aru.
Conmecting Passage.
Ate,
Aria.

Erarance“ to heading Koons

BRITISH MUSEUM.

PLAN OF THE GROUND FLOOR.

a>

—

Third Greeco Romer Saloon/
Ari.
Assyrian’ Transepo.
lyciaw Gallary
Tost’ Elgiry Roorr,
Assyrian Bases Roomé
Nirroud, sidy Gallery.
Southern Fgyptiaa Gallery:
Second) Elgav Roorn,
Hilenie: Toor.
Passage & Staircase,
Nirarod. Ctra Saloons
Egyptian Crtral) Satoom.
tudy,
Kouyunjity Gallery
Northern Tigyptccay Gallery.
Eqyptiar Vestibule,
North) West Staircase.
Studies:
Passage,
Trusecl’ Leorr.
Area beiwrer Insecv ds Elguv Rooms.
Oper Areal
Arched litrary-
Nortly Library.
Dox DS
Nority West Lobby.
Cracherody heorn.
Study.
Nort’ Cadrav Tibrary-
Gitry of North’ Utbrany.
South: Crtrav Library
Nortly Library: c
Bautisiary Foon.
North) Library.
Nort East Lobby
Nortly Easv Staircasy,
Transertoens’ Floor:
Study.
Sorting Loony,
Norttu aud of tiqyal Library:
Caurey of Royal Library.
Soutty Ena of Ttayal Library
East additional’ Library
De. ae IDy?
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Menuseripy Satoor,
Assistant Keepers toon
Grawnilly Library,
Waiting ftoorru.
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Study:
Marascripy Loo,
~ 0K mee) os
Sorting Hoar.
Washing Roorr.
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Lobt
Princgay Starcase,
Are round Naw Library-

HOUSES

OFFICERS'

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British’ & Mediwvals Roory.
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. Bronze Moor.

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7. Staircase landing.
18. Studies.

19. Fassage

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21. Studies.

TABLE of REFERENCE. |
|
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\
|
{|

=SOCSN MAP ON

22. Zoological) Foor, N° |.
23 eee De: No 2.
Fy eee DY Seen) oe ee Si,
WS se asics DD Peet Shee, ANCRAN
26 De... De No 5.
2. Mineral Gallay N° \.
28 De... D? No 2.
29 De. De No 3.
30. _ De. De Ne 4.
=H 3 TE an LO ARR Be
S27) Samer N° 6.
33. Wordv Central Foor.
| 34. Wort East Staircase,
35. Easter Zoological Gallary-
BG) D2 enn DS a De
] 375 eo
GQ, ... WE.
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eit : : 4\. Souther Zoological’ Gallery.
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