Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-07-12
NO. 1852.
Dailp krmettt 3ournaI.
IContinued.
MY TRIP TO EuROPE.
TuE BRIrIsH MUSEUM.

though this is the largest collection of books
and curiosities of all kinds in the world, il
is not an ancient institution. II was first
opened about lao wears ago. Sir Hans Sloane
having in his lifetime made collections of
books, manuscripts, objects of natural history
aud works Of art, at a cost of about $3.50, 900,
bequeathed them to the British government
on certain conditions, which were accepted,
and the museum was opened TO the public on
moderate scale. BY successive hequests,
donations and purchases, it has become what
it now is. George III bcqueathcd to il
very extensive library which he had collected
Other parties have made immense donations
of books, manuscripts, antiquities and inter-
esting objects. Parliament appropriatcs n
large sum annually for the support and in-
crease OF the museum. Publishers of hooks,
pamphlets and prints are required by law to
furnish a copy of each to this institution
The present magnificent building was COM
pleted in ls47. 1t is hollow square, its
sides facing the points of the compass. Its
entire length is so feet. Ii is a fine spcci-
men of Grecian architecture. Ii stands in
the very heart of London, facing on the south
Great Russell street. The front portico, $40
feet in length has double rows of superb col
umns, $ in each row, > feet in diameter, and
45 feet high. The museum is surrounded by
high iron ralisade, with gates at the front
entrance.
In 1857 splendid reading room was erect
ed in the interior quadrangle. occupying the
whole space, except % feet all round it. re-
| served liphf and yanftlufiap THE
built mostly of iron. The dome is l06 feet
high, (and 40 in diameter.) The room 10
planned and furnished with every conve enience
for reading. and will accommodate about 800.
The cost of this rcading-room was about
S750,O00.
| The museum requires the constant services
of about 800 attendants, and the annual ex-
penditure exceeds halt million dollars.
There are more than million books in
the museum, besides pamphlets and manu-
scripts. The catalogue fills over 1000 vol
umes. There are about three miles of book
cases and % miles of shelves. Besides there
are an immense number of paintings, prints,
statues, stuffed birds, beasts. reptiles, fishes,
all kinds of wood, medals, coins, heathcn
idols, and antiquities.
| 1t is not to be supposed that person in
one day could take more than a basty and
| superficial glance ut the contents of such n
wilderness of things. ! travelled through
rooms and rooms of stuffed ANIMALS, birds.
reptiles and fishes of all countries, and Of all
sizes from the smallest to the largest. and of
every conceivable shape and form. | saw
almost innumerable antiquities. Egyptian,
| Assyrian. Greek and Roman, as well as of
other nations savage and civilized. | passed
| along almost endless shelves of books rows
| of pictures, and groups of curiositcs.
| Wearcd and almost bcwil,lercd bv the
multitude of sights to be seen, happened by
mere accident to stroll into rooms containing
| objects of more interest to me than all the
other contents of the museum.
MANUSCRIPTS Worm SEEING.
| These rooms contained ancient manuscripts
and specimens of the old-time printing, in
cludng some Of the earliest books printed in
each country where the art was first prac-
tised. The most interesting to me were the
autographs. Here was the original Magma
Charta, signed by the noble barons of Eng
! land. and to which they forced King John to
assent, "a wonderful and almost miraculous
enumeration OF the rights of the people.
which has laid the foundation of both Eng
| lish and American liberty. No matter ii the
barons did make their marks for want of
skill even to write their names they build
ed wiser than they knew No matter if
/
by education aud practice; they enunciatt d
principles which III the progress Of the ages
have wrought out large measure Of human
! freedom, and are imperisl,able and incontro-
yertible.
Amongst the multitude of other curiositics
| in these rooms, was mortgage of real cs-
tate in London With the signature Of William
Shakspea the original manuscript Of Wal
ter SCOTS kenilworth; letter from Robert
Burns, giving q sketch of his own life a lit
tie book Of Latin prayers in the handwriting
| of Queen Elizabeth; volume of scripture
texts written out by Edward VI the pious
boy king the manuscript Of part of Mil
tons Paradise Lost: the original text of
Sterne's Sentimental Journey the autograph
report by Lord Nelson Of the battle of the
Nile memoranda written by Wellington on
the field Of Waterloo; paper signed by
Edmund Spenser. author of the Faery Queen
auiograph copy Of Gray's Elegy in a Country
!Cburchyard; original manuscript of part OF
Macauay's History Of England; also Of part
of Popc's translation Of the Iliad of Homer /;
also of part Of the works of John Locke.
There were also autographs Of Martin Ln.
ther, John Calvin, John Knox, and many
foshers; original grants Of the kings of Eng.
land as far back as Edward the Confessor
also manuscripts of several distinguished for.
were in glass cases for preservation, but cx
posed TO view.
Was not this rich collection Of precious
Treasures. There were hundreds more that
| cannot attempt to enumerate.
SEPARATING.
All but four Of our fifth section left Lon.
don last evening by a night train for Glas
gov, to embark for home. We who re.
mained took private lodgings in Bedford
Pace. between Russell Square and Blooms.
lbary Square. These suuares are small en-.
closed park, with walks, trees and seats,
but apparently not open to the public.
There are many such squares in London,
which serve as breathing places. for the
great city We did not escape the noise OF
London although this street looks SO retired
for the rattle Of cabs and carriages on the
pavements is heard all night long. We have
supper, lodging and breakfast at reasona
Bile price. Our breakfast and supper each
consists Of bread and butter, cold ham, coffe,
or tea. and marmslade for sauce. Dinne
we take at some eating house wherever ",
happen to be. A very good dinner can b.
had in London for from 25 to 30 cents. Fare