4 PROPOSALS FOR A PHOTOGRAPHIC AND
print or the re-arrangement of the whole set without damaging
them in any way.
The files themselves are very inexpensive, costing about 5d.
each; it will probably be found advisable to replace the steel
binder by one made of a non-rusting metal like aluminum. To
protect the file and its contents from dust it could be placed in
a large envelope.
Prints should be bound together according to locality, and
by filing the cases away in an alphabetically indexed cabinet
the arrangement would be self indexing. Cross-indexes of
subjects, etc., could easily be made with little trouble, if started
when the collection was begun and kept carefully up to date.
Every year it would be well to arrange for a public exhibition
of the prints contributed during that period, and from time to
time series of prints referring to special subjects or districts
could be exhibited either in the museum or elsewhere.
With this exception only those who desire to make use of
the collection for serious purposes should have access to it, the
main object of the collection being not to provide a series of
interesting pictures for the general public, but to supply
historical material for future generations.
As regards subjects for illustration, they begin to multiply the
more one thinks about them ; certainly they should include the
following :—
(a.) Archaeological subjects (old houses and churches,
and old buildings of every description).
(b.) Prehistoric remains.
(c.) Passing events of importance.
(d.) Portraits of public men connected with the County.
(e.) Illustrations of old customs.
(f.) Natural history subjects, such as Geological sections,
Photographs of growing plants, and of animals with
their natural surroundings.
(g.) Photographs illustrating the social life of the people.
This latter class (g) of subject is perhaps the one that will be
of most value a hundred years hence, and yet it is the one most
likely to be over-looked. Photographs illustrating daily life in
the docks, factories, and streets, and on the river; interiors and
exteriors of typical dwelling-houses; street markets; street
salesmen; out-door meetings such as those held in the Grove,