Page:Notes on the Present and Future of the Archaeological Collections of the University of Oxford.djvu/12

 they are they are of use to no one. This, however, is only by-the-by.

I now proceed to say a few more words upon the present condition of the objects of ancient art possessed by the University. It may here be repeated again, and that without fear of contradiction, that Antiquities, in order to be of any real educational use, ought to be exhibited together, where like can be seen with like, where differing types can be contrasted, and where a proper chronological and ethnographical sequence can be observed. This, however, is exactly what is not done in Oxford. As already stated, the fine series of Saxon-English objects from Kent and the Fairford Graves,—a series which is surpassed in England by that in the Mayer Collection at Liverpool alone,—is divorced from the Saxon-English urns and implements in the new and rival collection in the Parks. For some years past a number of Greek ear-rings from Cyprus have been exhibited in the Ashmolean; this year other Greek ear-rings and a noble gold necklace appear close to some models of Intestines in the Natural History Museum, No donor's name is appended to these last, but a card sets forth the simple and highly intelligible fact that they were found at "Gurgan" It is possible that some of the most learned Heads of Houses might be able to state forthwith where "Gurgan" is, but the mystery must be great to many in statu pupillari and, in pity for the unlearned, one is justified in craving a more descriptive label.

In the Ashmolean the Antiquities are often so crowded together from want of space that the objects can be neither properly displayed nor adequately studied. In addition to this, while several casts of objects of inferior interest are exposed to view, numbers of genuine Antiques are shut up altogether out of sight in drawers. A Collection of inlaid