Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1877-03-10
NOTES BY THE WAY.

Special Correspondence OF tho Standard.
THE BRITISH MussUM
This is one OF the famous national
Museums of Great Britain. and H..
perhaps, one OF the largest in the
world. 1t occupies au extensive suit
of buildings in Great Russell Street,
which was commenced in the year
1924, and although about s. 900, 900
have bsen expended on tho building
alone, it is still unfinished. At first
the museum consisted Of only three
departments, viz: Printed Books,
Manuscripts and Natural History,
yet it now consists of twelve divis-
ions, comprising q vast collection
of books, maps, drawings, prints,
sculptures, antiquities, and natural
curiosities, all Of which are constantly
increasing. This mamouth insiitu-
ton was founded in 1865. On enter
ing by the great central door. lat once
found myself in large magnificent
ball, filed with sculptures OF various
kinds, where I purchased q small
printed guide, and in following ito
directions assembled at once 10 Tho
upper floor. This contains:
1, The Geological Department.
which occupies three galleries. aud
consists of beasts, birds, reptiles,
fishes, shells, corals, eggs, insects.
&C., all appropriately labelled and
arranged in wall and table cases.
2, Gallery Of Fossils and Minerals.
This wonderful exhibition occupies
six rooms, and has been arranged
with great deal Of patient care and
study.
3, Botanical Department. This
comprises chiefly q great variety Of
fruits, stems, and various vegetable
structures.
Now descending again by tho
great staircase to the hall, aud turn
ing westward We enter
THE DEPARTMENTS OF ANTIQUITIES.
These collections are divided into
two series, consisting OF
1, Sculptures, including inscrip-
tions and architectural remains.
2, Vases, bronzes, coins, medals,
&c. This series is situated on the
upper floor.
In the first series, the various
sculptures are arranged so far AZ
possible, in chronological order.
from the earliest monuments Of the
Egyptian Pharaohs down to the
latest memorials of the Roman rule
in Britain.
ROMAN GALLERY.
This is so called on account OF its
miscellaneous collection Of Roman
antiquities. Some OF which were dis
covered in this country, and others
consisting ola great variety Of statues,
busts, &C., of q mixed character, were
discovered in Italy, and belong either
directly or indirectly, to the Greek
schools of sculpture.
LYc1AN ROOM.
Tue collection here consists Of
architectural and sculpturcd remains
from some of the ancient cities oI
Lycia, q mixed province Of Asst
Minor, some of which are over two
thousand years cid
MAusoLEUM ROOM.
This contains the remains OF the
Mausoleum of Mausolos, which Wal
obtained from Halicarnassus. Itwa,
erected over the remains of her hus
band by Artesmisia, B. c., $50, ant
consisted of an oblong Ionic edifce
situated on q high basement, ant
surrounded by 36 Ionic columns, ant
the whole structure rising 10 tn,
hight of 140 feet, was crowned by I
chariot group in white marble.
| THE ELaIN ROOM.
( This collection consists OF seulp
lures aud marbles obtained by Lori
Elgin, while he was Ambassador q
Constantinople, and was purchased
from him by the government for SITS,
600. The sculptures Of chief intsrss
are those obtained from the Tempt,
Of the Goddess Diana, at Athens
which was constructed under th,
administration Of Pericles about B. L
40.
AeaYRIAN 0AILrRrra.