ABSTRACT
There seems to be a prevalent idea that if the populace can only be got to walk about a great building filled with tall glass-cases, full of beautiful objects, especially when illuminated by the electric light, they will become civilized. A great deal has been said and written about the unities of the drama, and “canons” are said to have been laid down on the subject. In a great cathedral church, the people find indeed architectural fragments of many ages, and monuments of the most diverse styles. It is essential, however, to good Museum economy that wholly irrelevant and trifling articles, such as the local cricketers’ cups, the stuffed pug-dogs, the models of three-deckers, etc., should be got rid of by exchange or donation. There already exist some good models of what county or other local Museums may become.
