ON NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUMS. 37
distinguished professor."55 Many a true word is proverbially
spoken in jest, and, in conclusion, I commend this idea to our
Curator, who happens to be much interested in talking machines.
We already have in the Essex Museum, for the use of the
public, a microscope and a spinthariscope. Why not a
phonograph ?
In now relinquishing the honourable position to which your
suffrages kindly, and quite undeservedly, called me two years
ago, I am anxious to express my deep sense of obligation to the
officers, the Council, and the members generally—but especially
to the Honorary Secretaries—for the generous assistance and
loyalty which they have uniformly rendered to me, and for the
courteous indulgence which they have extended to me, during
my occupation of the presidential chair. The pleasure with
which I shall look back upon my tenure of this position will be
greatly enhanced by the feeling that I am succeeded by one so
much more worthy in every way to conduct the affairs of this
important organization. In Mr. Miller Christy, the Essex Field
Club has at once a local naturalist, who has made his mark by
a standard work on the Birds of Essex, and an antiquary who
is an acknowledged authority on many branches of county
history—one who has always been zealous in his support of
this Club in the past ; one who will, I feel sure, be yet more
zealous for its welfare in the future.
55 "The Museum Question in Europe and America." The Museums Journal, vol. iii.
(1904), p. 248.