BRITISH MUSEUM, the great Na tional Museum in London owes its foundation to Sir Hans Sloane, who, in 1753, bequeathed his various collections, including 50,000 books and manuscripts, to the nation, on the condition of £20, 000—less by £30,000 than the original cost—being paid to his heirs. Montague House, which was bought for the pur pose for £10,250, was appropriated for the museum, which was first opened on Jan. 15, 1759. The original edifice hay, ing become inadequate, a new building in Great Russell street was resolved upon in 1823, the architect being Sir R. Smirke, whose building was not com pleted till 1847. In 1857, a new library building was completed and opened at a cost of £150,000. It contains a circular reading room 140 feet in diameter, with a dome 106 feet in height. This room contains accommodations for 300 read ers comfortably seated at separate desks. The accommodation having become again inadequate the natural history depart ment was lodged in a new Natural His tory Museum at South Kensington. Further additions to the Great Russell street buildings were made in 1882. The
British Museum is under the manage ment of 48 trustees. It is open daily, free of charge. Admission to the read ing room as a regular reader is by ticket, procurable on application to the chief librarian. The library, which is now one of the largest and most valu able in the world, has been enriched by numerous bequests and gifts, among others the splendid library collected by George III. during his long reign. A copy of every book, pamphlet, news paper, piece of music, etc., published anywhere in British territory, must be conveyed free of charge to the British Museum. The museum contains eight principal departments, namely, the de partment of printed books, maps, charts, plans, etc.; the department of manu scripts; the department of natural his tory; the department of Oriental an tiquities; the department of Greek and Roman antiquities; the department of coins and medals; the department of British and medieval antiquities and ethnography; and the department of prints and drawings.