Year: 1866




Park.


New York has just reputation for many ex-
cellent institutions established for the benefit
and qualification of the public; and the libe-
rality Of her wealthy citizens in endowing and
building up these is known to all. But there
is one thing much needed grand national
museum. There Is not one worthy Of being so
called in New York, Warrington oE any other
place throughout this great country. There
are number of institutions scattered over the
United States in which are limited collections
of objects Of curiosity, history, art science, and
from nature. Among the principal are tne
Patent Office and Smithsonian Institution at
Washington. As to the s.dmbug show con-
Germs called museums, got up by individuals
as private speculations, they are generally dis
gustipg cheats, and none are worthy the name
of museum. There are few private collec-
tions quite interesting as far as they go, but
the number Of objects are necessarily very
limited and can be seen only by very few.
We have nothing in realty .1. ... s:ns to come
near the correct idea of national museum.
1t is a reproach to us that we have not. We
ought to 60 to work at once to build up such
an institution as would be creditable to the
country and durable as the nation ITSELF This
metropolis is the proper place for it. Wash
ington is but small city, and always will be,
in connpariso2 with New York. This city must
continue to be the great centre of population
and of movement We have, too, the most
superb place on which to establish national
museum. The Park is the spot Here
there is plenty of space, and no situation
could be more beautiful or eligible. We call
upon our wealthy citizens especially, and upon
the people generally, to move in this matter.
Let the museum be- however, on the grandest
scale; something that not only the people Of
New York may be proud of, but that every
American may be proud Of If an association
Cf gentlemen will start the project right and
show by their subscriptions and earnestness
that the work will be commenced, we will sub
scribe five hundred dollars to begin with. We
need not say anything about the advantage it
would be to the city indirectly. Our business
men and property holders know that every
great improvement in New York makes it
more attractive and increases its wealth and
Importance. But, besides this, what pleasure it
would afford us, and what instruction to US and
our children after US.


In the great capitals Of Europe there are
museums of a national character. Sometimes
these are devoted to special objects, and SOME
times they are museums proper and in tire
general sense, containing almost everything.
me BriIisn museum in London is more
properly one in the general senee- The Louvre
in Paris IL museum of art. We propose to
have one more comprehensive than the British
museum We would combine Win. the char
acter of that the Louvre and the Jardin des
Plantes, or the Geological Gardens in London.
II should be a museum Of animate as well as
of inanimate objects from all realm$ Of nature,
and repository of an that is valuable in his
tory, literature, science and art Thatis what
We would make it and what it can be made if
the wealthy and enterprising people of New
York will set about it in earnest As IL ant
ticipating this institution and seeing the
necessity Of it,, there has been collected
already, and almost imperceptibly,
number of animals and other things at
the Park as small nucleus with which
to begin. The war just closed will
furnish material. In years TO come everything
connected with that gigantic struggle and
great historic period will be regarded
with the deepest interest. The records,
the souvenirs, the battle scenes, the
portraits Of the generals and heroes, and
all connected with IL will be cherished by fu-
ture generations. Now is the time to collect
these and TO deposit them where they will be
preserved forever, and where the largest por-
ton of the people can best see them. Here
after 1t will be more difficult 10 get them.
While alluding to this we would suggest that
the admirable collection Of war views and
scenes, as well as the gallery OF portraits Of
eminent men, taken by Mr.. Brady, Of this city,
should be secured for the public, and particu-
larly for the national museum spoken Of. Such
an opportunity may not occur again and
should not be neglected We may not see the
value Of these historical works of art now, but
II will be seen some years hence. What val
liable, varied and numerous collection OF min
eral specimens we might obtain, too, within q
short time. No country has more or is richer
in these than our own. We ought to bring
together everything connected with the primi-
tive races Of this continent before they pass
away. That is the special duty of the American
people. We are entering upon a new age OF
art on this side the Atlantic. IL has just CON-
menced and begins to grow we'll. We ought
TO have deposited here q record and specimens
Of the progress we may make, which would in
struct us and stimulate our ambition. We
should have pants and animals from al parts
Of the world. This would both interest and
educate the people. Once well established
our citizens, who explore every land and sea.