for I was immediately struck with the manifest advantages likely to result from the proposed establishment. I earnestly hope that the praiseworthy endeavour to form so noble and beneficial an institution, will every where meet with the warm support which it deserves. Nor have I a doubt that many a valuable rarity, now lying idle in the rooms of naval and military officers, will be readily forwarded for so useful a purpose.
“‘Concluding, from your furnishing that journal with a Meteorological Register, that you must he acquainted with the Editor, I will thank you to inform him that, as a proof of my personal estimation of the scheme, I beg to offer a collection which occupied me five or six years in gathering together, – time which might have otherwise been misspent. It is, therefore, at his disposal whensoever a suitable building shall be opened; and it consists of about forty cases of stuffed birds and animals, with a cabinet of insects. Any personal attentions, which a practical knowledge in Natural History may render desirable, are also tendered; and should the undertaking proceed, I can venture to assure you of the contributions of some of my friends, who will rejoice in the prospect of so rational a resource against ennui being provided for the numerous class we now form in society.’
“The being made a medium of so gratifying and liberal a communication, obliges me no longer to defer an offer, on my own part, for the same end. I sec there are difficulties to surmount, but what are difficulties to those who scarcely acknowledge such a word? Forward! It is high time that a rallying point should be established for depositing the models, minerals, weapons, and specimens of Natural History, with other interesting and delightful objects, which we are daily receiving from all quarters of the globe; and also for the dissemination of knowledge, to the advantage of both the individual and the nation. It was chiefly by the princely munificence of Alexander the Great, and his activity in collecting the rarities of earth, air, and water, that Aristotle was enabled to analyse, define, and demonstrate Nature’s mysteries, with such unexampled precision, as to place him at the head of natural philosophers.
“It will not be disputed, that men liable to become the arbiters of their country’s honour, governors of colonies, and members of the highest classes of society, ought to possess a large share of general information; and this, it is easily seen, would be widely engrafted, if your proposal should meet with a full and zealous action. The effects and ultimate influence would be beneficial to all branches; and could not but prove an inexhaustible fund of gratification to the intellectual class, besides improving the understanding, strengthening tUc judgment, and arousing the energies of research, in the many.
“I have, therefore, determined to promote the Imperial Service Museum, to the extent of my ability, by presenting it, under similar stipulations to those mentioned by Downes, with the series of objects in geology, mineralogy, conchology, and antiquities, which a course of years has placed in my possession; and I only hope that the contributions, from other
