MUSEUMS AND LIBRARIES. London is especially rich in museums. They are among the finest in the world; and sonic of them, devoted to spe cialties, are particularly notable. Perhaps the most famous of modern collections are those of the British Museum (q.v.), a vast edifice filled with countless treasures of art and nature. Many of its galleries are crowded with sculptures. The genius of Greece may he better studied in Lon don than in Athens since Lord Elgin brought his famous collection of marbles to London in 1S16. The most interesting and admirable ex amples of the sculptural arts of Egypt, Assyria, and other parts of the ancient world may be seen in these galleries. The library contains about 2,000,000 volumes. Since the Museum was founded in 1753. the British nation has expended about $40.000,000 in collecting, housing, and car ing for these treasures. The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square includes more than 1500 paint ings, the old masters being well represented. This gallery has large funds at its disposal. and is thus enabled to secure many of the choicest specimens of European art. The Royal Academy of Art occupies a section of New Burlington House, facing Piccadilly, and is noted for its col lection of rare works and tor its annual exhibi tion of paintings and sculptures. The Society of Royal Academicians, founded in 1768, consists of 40 Royal Academicians, 30 Associates, and 2 Associate Engravers.
The Victoria and Albert Museum, formerly the Kensington Muse UM. has a great variety of the choicest art products. It is not only a museum. but also the most important school of art and industrial science in Great Britain. Separated by Exhibition Road is the fine block containing the buildings of the Imperial Institute, With its permanent exhibition of the products, manufactures, and industries of the Empire; the Natural History Museum, with its complete col lection; the Royal College of Music; and the Royal Albert Hall of Arts and Sciences, accom modating S.000 persons, and containing one of the
largest organs in the world.
Among the special museums and collections offering admirable facilities for students and scientific workers are the Anatomical Museum in the College of Surgeons. the Geological NU Se11111, And the museums of the Royal Geographi cal Society and the Royal Society, at the head of scientific organizations in Great' Britain; and of the Anthropological institute and the Geological and Linniean societies. About 1,000,000 persons every year visit the most complete collection of living animals in the world, installed in Regent's Park and the property of the Zoological Society. The beautiful gardens of the Horticultural and Botanical societies have admirable collections, whieh, however, cannot be compared with the unsurpassed exhibits at Knew Gardens, which are probably the most varied and the rich est in the world. The Crystal Palace (q.v.), south of London, has many beautiful models of architectural and art works. but the great build ing in the midst of a garden of 200 acres is main tained more for recreation than tor instruction. The People's Palace for East. London, on the Mile End Road, is an immense structure comprising a large amusement hall. free library, reading rooms. technical college. engineering workshops, chemical and physical laboratories, school of art. a winter garden. gymnasium, and swimming baths, all devoted to the intellectual and ma terial advancement, the recreation and amuse ment of the vast artisan population of the East End. Many other societies and institutions have large libraries, most of which are aecessible to the public.