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Mr. Heebeet to Dr. Mouat. Sic,— Downing Street, 20th February, 1874. I am directed by the Earl of Kimberley to acquaint you, with reference to your letter of the 22nd ultimo, addressed to Mr. Wodehouse, that for the reasons already stated in the correspondence between this Department and Her Majesty's Commissioners, his Lordship is disposed to regret that two collections of ethnological specimens from the British Colonies should be in process of formation for the purpose of being simultaneously exhibited at South Kensington, and would be glad to know whether, in the opinion of the Commissioners, the collection now being made by them might not properly be placed in the Colonial Annexe. Hoping that this decision may be ultimately arrived at, Lord Kimberley will intimate to the Governor-in-Chief and Administrators of the West Africa Settlements, that he will be glad if they are able to further the wishes of the Commission. I have, &c, Dr. Mouat. Eobt. G. W. Heebeet. The Seceetaey, Inteenational Exhibition, to the Undee Seceetaey of State, Colonial Office. (No. 50,183.) Sic, — Upper Kensington Gore, London, S.W., 4th March, 1874. With reference to your letter of the 20th ultimo, I am directed to inform you that the collections of ethnological specimens from the British Colonies to which you allude, will ultimately be deposited in the Colonial Annexe. lam to request that you will be so good as to convey to the Secretary of State for the Colonies the thanks of the Board of Management for expressing his willingness to intimate to the Governor-in-Chief and Administrators of the West African Settlements, that he will be glad if they are able to further the wishes of the Eoyal Commissioners with regard to the proposed Ethnological and Geographical Museum. I have, &c, T. A. Weight, The Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Secretary to the Executive. Colonial Office, Downing Street. London Inteenational Exhibition, 1874. The Ethnology and Geography of the British Empire. Hee Majesty's Commissioners have resolved to commence, in connection with the'series of International Exhibitions, permanent collections which shall illustrate the ethnology and geography of the different portions of the British dominions, and ultimately form a great National Museum of the Empire upon which the sun never sets. They will be arranged for tho present in the galleries of the Eoyal Albert Hall. Many portions of the Empire are inhabited by aboriginal races, most of which are undergoing rapid changes, and some of which are disappearing altogether. These races are fast losing their primitive characteristics and distinguishing traits. 2. The collections would embrace life-size and other figures representing the aboriginal inhabitants in their ordinary and gala costumes, models of their dwellings, samples of their domestic utensils, idols, weapons of war, boats and canoes, agricultural, musical, and manufacturing instruments and implements, samples of their industries, and in general all objects tending to show their present ethnological position and state of civilization. 3. It is proposed to receive for the Exhibition of 1874 any suitable collections, which will be grouped and classified hereafter in their strict ethnological and geographical relations. As, however, there is at present great public interest in the various tribes inhabiting the Wost Coast of Africa, including the Ashantees, with whom this country is at war, all objects relating to the Ashantees, Fantees, Dahomeys, Houssas, and the neighbouring tribes, are especially desired. The Indian Empire, the Eastern Archipelago, and the Islands of the Southern Hemisphere are also able to afford abundant and valuable materials for the proposed museum, of which it is believed that the nucleus can be formed at once from materials in private collections. 4. Her Majesty's Commissioners confidently appeal to the civil, military, and naval officers of the British service throughout the Queen's dominions to assist them in these collections. 5. Her Majesty's Commissioners have secured the services of eminent gentlemen to advise them from time to time in giving effect to these intentions. It is requested that offer of gifts and loans of objects should be made known at once to the Secretary of Her Majesty's Commissioners, Upper Kensington Gore, London, S.W. Letteb from Dr. F. J. Mouat. Deab Sib,— London, 26th July, 1873. I venture to think that, in the present state of public feeling and opinion on the subject of International Exhibitions, some little change of practice and procedure in their scope and objects is desirable, if but to stimulate and revive the public interest on which their financial success is dependent, and to render them permanently useful as instruments of national instruction, which is their real "raison d'etre." No person who has watched the gradual development of public taste, and the consequent increase of personal comfort in all that relates to the application of Art aud Science to the purposes of every-