31

A.—2

day life, can have failed to perceive how well the Exhibition of 1851 has done its work, and how vast a debt of gratitude all civilized nations owe to the illustrious and accomplished author of that great landmark in the history of the present century, and, indeed, of all time. But we live in an age of such rapid progress, restless movement, and constant craving for change, that all the old landmarks are being swept away; and that which attracted all the world to-day, is already a thing of the past, and neglected. How then are these fleeting feelings to be fixed, and the fickle public to be brought back to some, at least, of the interest which is palpably on the wane in such Exhibitions of Art and Industry as are now brought together annually at South Kensington ? One of the most likely means will, I think, be to add annually to the Exhibition, without reference to special branches of art and industry, one or more departments or courts of a comprehensive character, to illustrate the ethnography and geography of different portions of the British Empire. For this purpose, I would begin with aboriginal races, and the countries inhabited by them, because they are undergoing such rapid changes, that while some are fast disappearing, others are as rapidly losing their primitive characteristics, and will soon cease to exhibit the distinguishing traits which form their chief present interest. The people whom I would first select for this experiment would be the New Zealanders of the Southern Hemisphere, and the Kols and Sinthals of Central India. Of each, the court should contain everything necessary to show them as they are : viz., a raised map of their country on a grand scale; images of types, life-sized, of the inhabitants in their ordinary and gala costumes ; samples of their domestic utensils, weapons of war, boats and canoes, agricultural, musical, and manufacturing instruments and implements, with samples of their industries, models of their dwellings, &c. If it could be accomplished, and I know of no reason why it should not be feasible, there should also be gathered together examples of the animal, mineral, and vegetable products used by them, or produced in their country, with views of some of their most striking places and monuments. The materials thus collected I would not again disperse, but place permanently at South Kensington, to form the nucleus of a Museum of Geography and Ethnology, ultimately to embrace the whole of the Empire on which the sun never sets, in a manner worthy of the objects and of the nations. The Annual International Exhibitions can accomplish this object in a manner and with a completeness that no scientific or other association could approach, for I am sure that every Colonial Government and every branch of the Indian Administration would assist willingly and cordially in such a work. It would take many years to complete, would doubtless grow in interest and importance from year to year, and ought only to be equalled in its popularity by its scientific value. That such courts, if well arranged, would excite a large immediate amount of public interest, I doubt not, from what I saw of the great popularity of tho Turkestan Court of the great Polytechnic Exhibition at Moscow, in which a design similar to that sketched above was well carried out. Were such a design once inaugurated, there are many persons who would contribute examples of objects of interest connected with each country illustrated; and if the varied and rich collections now scattered about were ultimately brought under one roof, it would be difficult to over-estimate the value and importance of the museum that would be formed. May I ask you, therefore, to be so good as to submit this letter to Her Majesty's Commissioners for such consideration as they may deem it to deserve. I am, &c, Henry Cole, Esq., C.B. Feedebic J. Mouat.

1874. LONDON INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION. ETHNOLOGY AND GEOGRAPHY.

List of Objects proposed to be sent to Her Majesty's Commissioners.

Natttee of Object. (Each Article proposed to be sent to be entered separately in this column.) Size of Object. Country and Approximate Date. Remabks. (To include any information that may be useful or interesting regarding the Objects proposed to be sent). Whether Loan or Gift. Signature of Owner Address in full