Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-11-27
THE VALENTINE GIFT
SOME OBSERVATIONS REGARDING ITS
VALUE TO THE COMMUNITY.
The Scope and Purpose of fMuseums-Their
Extensive In1nenee-Wbnt the
People Should DO.
LIBRARY RICHMoND COLLEGE,
IN Va koganhar 10 1899.

IAttn8tye luuuc1te-Vb INV
People Should DO.
LIBRARY RIcHMoSD COLLEGE,
RICHMOND, VA, November ~. 1Sy2
To he Editor OF the Dispdica:
Congratulations over the prospect of
soon having public museum in our capital
city have not been in proportion to the
splendid proposition of the Valentines.
Perhaps the excitement and work of the
Cleveland presidential canvass, engrossing
the public mind. are partly responsible for
the absence of oil notice of the grand
schemes save your editorials. There was
a thrill Of pleasure in many homes when
the news came. In my own family when
the account was read at the breakfast Ia
BILE the children clapped their hands and
said I'VE are so glsdip All of us are
$50 glad" The founding of the Valentine
Museum" will be notable step In the
city's Advancement great stride forward
upon line on which Richmond has been
singularly deficient. Let US rejoice!
Perhaps ii may not be out OF place to
say two or three things about the utility Of
museums and the responsibilities tney
awaken. As people we believe in ejuca-
tion and are seeking TO promote wholesome
instruction. There is nothing that affords
so many object lessons as q good museum.
The public library 1s a good thing, the Ia
boratory is indispensable in these times OF
scientific growth. and the day IS coming
when the museum will be considered the
necessary handmaid of both. Schools
must have them and great cities will place
them alongside other provision for en-
tightening the people. When DR.. John A.
BrOadus dedicated the " James thomas
a. 4 III CF oh al
lege he said:
THE GREEK MUSEUM.
ITO build museum in connection with
public library and as a part OF an lnstl-
tuition for higher education IS but return
10 the original elevated application of
that term. A museum among the Greeks
was primarily any haunt of the MUSES.
next, place for the study of objects dear
to the MUSES., such as art, poetry. history,
and elOguence. Plato and Aristotle created
each a building called a museum, contain
ingrooms for the study of philosophy, and
then first in the history OF culture-a
public library, open 20 students and
visitors"
Let us learn 10 believe that mu-
scum Is not solely an antiquated, dust
covered, gloomy thing, relic of the past,
and suitable only for treasuring collec-
tiOns Of antiquities, but that 1t may be-
come and Is becoming a modern school
house where the present as we'll as the
past shall be held up to yiew-where little
children may study natural history, adj
vanced students perfect themselves IN
mineralOgy. zoology. botany, biology. and
where the uutninking crowd" may mud
stimulus to read aud learn.
Asa part Of the educational system OF
Richmond the Valentine Museum will be
invaluable.
EXTENDED INFLUENCE.
But we cannot confne its influence to
our city. museum draws visitors far and
wide and the best class of visitors. Rich
mond College has only the nucleus of a
museum, but the two thousand visitors
VINO came TO see us last year were largely
drawn by the cuTOsitles on exhibition.
Many of these friends came from dis
tance and went home 10 talk OF what they
saw at the college. The National Museum
in Washington has 100000 visitors year,
most of them from remote parts of our
own country and from other lands, and, as
las been well said by the secretary OF that
grand institution. the Smithsonian, each
Ot whom carried away a certain num-
Der of new thoughts" When Richmond
spreads before the country the riches of
the propcsed Valentine gift. she will be-
come the Mecca Of thousands who are now
Indifferent 10 both her beauty of location
and renowned history. 4 great observer
once declared the city which Is In posses
sion of such an heirloom is blessed Just as
is the pOssessor OF an historic surname. or
be who inherits the cumulative genius of
generations Of gifted forcfathers." Our
benefaCtOrs have done great thing for
the reputation ar lame, as well as lntrll-
renee. Of our ". MAY Nur practical
gratitude equal the service they render
and the honor they have done u.s.
OUR PEOPLE SHOULD RESPOND.
This suggests the wisdom Of a cordial
response on the part Of our people TO the
action OF Mr. Valentine. The executors of
hls will may feel able in themselves to
make a clean gilt TO Richmond and provide
for the administration and growth Of the
proposed museum. But the experience
derived from other movements of this
character and the liberal dealing of
other cities should be pondered. A
collection to be valuable must be we'll
housed. well displayed. well admins
tered, and this costs heavily. Good
administration Is not 10 be had for
nothing" is especially true of scientific
institutions. 1t Is prominently true OF
museum. 10 must also grow. The British
Museum had already, up 70 1882, spent
Il 500, 900 in the purchase of objects for It's
art collections and gifts are always pour
ing IN. requiring increased space !or dis
tributiOu and Encouragement. An official
in the British Museum when questioned as
10 the planting of similar institutions III
America replied " Let them plant the
thing and It can't help growing. and most
likely beyond their powers Gas 1t has been
/ almost beyond ours) 10 keep up with it,"
lie said further:
WHAT IS WANTED.
What is wanted first of all il one or
two good brains, with the means of erect
ing a good building on O piece of ground
considerably larger than Is required for
that building. Where there have been Sc
cured substantial, luminous galleries for
exhibition in a tire-proOf building. and
these are known to be carefully guarded
by night and day, there can be no need
to wait long for treasures TO flow
into H." | have entire confidence in the
projectors aud managers of this new en-
| terDrlse-they will do wisely and well,
and we all understand thoroughly
that Rome was not built in day " :;
but looking 10 the true present value
Of the Valentine gift and itS early and
rapid DEVELOPMENT its worth to Rich
/ mond and the contribution it is destined
tomake to It's intelligence and reputation
/ 1t should be borne IN mind that the gen.
| erous hands which guide this new endow-
ment may need the practical support Of
the city they seek to enrich. If there IS to
rise on this excellent foundation a grow
/ inc institution adapted to modern uses
and accomplishing the highest ends We
/ must prepare from the outset TO build to
/ il as the years 20 by. All hail TO the gift
| Let it be met IN liberal spirit.
CHARLES Ii. RYLAND.
The Davis Monument.