Page:Notes on the Present and Future of the Archaeological Collections of the University of Oxford.djvu/18

 exhibition of antiquities are urgently needed, and until they are provided no room exists to display future acquisitions, while existing specimens are either crowded together or shut up out of sight. 3. The restoration to its proper use of the upper chamber of the Ashmolean. 4. The immediate removal of Indian beasts and seeds from the basement of the Ashmolean. 5. The restoration to light and air of the ancient pictures now banished in packing cases to a garret in the Clarendon. 6. The combination of the few Egyptian and other Antiquities in the Natural History Museum with the many in the Ashmolean. 7. The issue of a strict order to the attendant or assistant-keeper not to withdraw from their cases and mountings delicate objects of ancient metal work, for the inspection and handling of casual visitors to the Ashmolean, without a special order from the keeper himself. This dangerous and indeed fatal practice probably airses from the circumstance that the assistant-keeper is permitted to receive although not to demand fees from visitors. If his salary is not deemed sufficient, it should be raised by the University itself. 8, The combination of the Castellani Antiquities in the Taylor Buildings with the Castellani Antiquities and those of the Henderson bequest in the Ashmolean. 9. The re-arrangement in proper chronological order of the ancient sculptures in the Taylor Buildings, and especially their separation from the modern Chantrey casts.

These hasty notes are offered with much deference to members of the University, and the object of the writer will be attained if any who read them can be induced to inquire and see for themselves.

May 23, 1881.