10 ON NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUMS.
artificial from the natural, and recognizing two groups of
objects appealing to two types of visitor, not always
in sympathy with each other's tastes.
Now that the Forest Museum, after costing so much thought,
labour and money, is approaching within moderate distance of
completion—so far at least as is contemplated by our modest
scheme—it seems rather ungracious, not to say ungrateful, to
raise any doubt as to the fitness of the present building for
the purposes of a Natural History Museum. And yet such a
doubt can hardly be repressed by any unprejudiced visitor. No
one will deny that the building is much too small, and that the
illumination in parts is sadly defective. Even with the addition
of the new glass cases suggested in our scheme, there will be
provision for only a very inadequate representation of the
fauna and flora of the Forest. Mr. E. N. Buxton has very
wisely raised his voice against over-crowding the Rooms. No
one but a naturalist has any notion of the prodigality of life
in the Forest district, and even the naturalist has probably
but very imperfect ideas on such a subject. It is related that a
certain professor once projected the formation of a Museum
to be confined to the natural objects collected in the Gardens of
Lincoln's Inn ; but after a while he found himself compelled
to abandon his scheme in consequence of the great number and
variety of objects which the locality yielded.(9) If Lincoln's Inn
Fields are so rich, what must the Forest be ? The district which
we desire to illustrate in the Museum is indeed much too prolific
to be adequately represented in our present restricted quarters.
Nor is the illumination everywhere sufficient, except on very
bright days, to enable the visitor to inspect the specimens with
satisfaction. It is true that many natural objects suffer from
exposure to light, but the Curator can always shut out light, or
moderate it, by means of blinds, whilst he can hardly ever
admit more natural light than the architect has permitted. It is
therefore, in my opinion, a matter of prime importance that
every Museum should be so constructed as to allow a free
flood of light into the exhibition galleries. Some people possibly
may think otherwise, and prefer a dull and dreary place. One
of the most curious remarks I ever met with in connection
(9) Hints on the Formation of Local Museums. By the Treasurer of the Wimbledon,
Museum Committee, London, 1863, p. 20.