EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.
686
1753, Jan. 4. ITu World, No. 1. This paper was continued weekly, on Thuisday, for four years, and terminated on Thursday, Decemher 30, 1766, with two hundred and nine number, and a World Extraordinary, written by Horace Walpole. Of each essay 2,600 were printed, and sometimes even a greater number was demanded. It was projected by Edward Moore,* author of the Gamettrr, a tragedy, assisted by lord Ches- terfield and about thirty eminent literary names. It assvimed all the variety of the Spectator, being wise or witty, grave or gay, sentimental, literary, or humorous, as the subject required. It was also, in another respect, like the Spectator ; tot Mr. Moore, like sir Richard Steele, was lost in the splendour of his auxiliaries.
1763. The British Museum established by act of parliament. This national collection of antiquities, books, and natural curiosities, is one of the most valuable and extensive in Europe. It was founded in consequence of the will of sir Hans Sloane.-j- who left to the nation his museum (which he declared in that instrument had cost him upwards of £60,000,^ on condition that parliament paid £20,000 to nis executors, and purchased a house sufficientiy commodious for it. This proposal was readily adopted: several other valuable collections were united to that of sir Hans Sloane, and the whole establish- ment completed for the sum of £86,000, which wasraised by way of lottery.^ The additions to the Sloanean museum comprise, the Cottonian library, given by sir Robert Cotton to the pub- lic ; major Edwards's library of printed books ; the Harleian collection of manuscripts ; sir Wil- liam Hamilton's invaluable collection of Greek vases; the Townleian collection of antique marbles; the manuscripts of the late marquis of Lansdowne; the Elgin marbles from Atoens; Or. Bumey's classical library ; and various other collections. George II. gave the whole of the libraiy of printed books and manuscripts, which had been gradually collected by our kings from Henry VII. to William III. George III. gave a numerous collection of pamphlets, pub-
- Edward Moore was the aon of a dlnenting minister at
Abiogdoo, in Berkahiret where he was born March sa, 1711. He waa some yean engaged as a linen di^ier, bat relinquished trade for employment more congenial to his talents and inclinations. In 1744 be produced his Fablex for the Femalt Hof, wbicb have been allowed a rank only second to those of Gay. From this period his progress as an author waa uoderiating ; and as a poet, a dramatist, and an essayist, be continoed throngh life to amuse and Instmct society. It is somewhat remarkable, that. when the World was published in volumes, Mr. Moore actually died whilst the last number, which details the imaginary death of the author, was passing through the press. He died Feb. 98, 1757.
t Sir Hans Sloane, bart. was an eminent physician and naturalist, bran at KlUileagh, in the North of Ireland, April 16, iSfio, and died at Chelsea, Jan. II, 1791. He was the first in England who Introdoced Into general practice the use of bark, not only in fevers, but in a va- riety of other d]stemper^ paiticalariy in nervoos disor- ders, in mortUcations, and in violent htemotrhages. He published the Natural Hiiiory of Jamaica^ two vols, folio.
t The following sums were voted by Parliament : fur the Townley statues j«fS0,(K)a ; Lansdowne Manoscripta, £i9iS i Greville Minerals ^8,200 ; Elgin Marbles 3S000 ! Burney's Library 13500. To print the Codex Alezandrinus
lished in the interval between 1640 and 1760.* That monarch also contributed the two finest mummies in Europe; a sum of money, arising from lottery tickets, which belonged to his royu. predecessors, amounting to £1,123 ; a complete set of the journals of the lords and commons; a collection of natural and artificial curiosities sent to him, in 1796, by Mr. Menzies, from the north-west coast of America ; and several single books of great value and utility. In 1803, toe government deposited in this building many Egyptian antiquities, which were acquired from the French by the capitulation of Alexandria, in 1802. In 1824, a most valuable and extensive library, formed under the direction of George III., was presented to the museum by George IV., and is deposited in a splendid apartment built purposely to contain it R. P. Knight gave 6,206 valuable Greek coins to the British museum. The Rev. W. H. Carr, 36 ancient pictures. And — White, Esq. £30,000 to build a library room. Numerous collections have been added, at difiierent times, by the trustees of the museum, which is situated in Great Russell- street, Bloomsbury.
The Synopsii of the Contents of the British Museum, gives the following account of the Royal Library : — " In this spacious and splendid room is deposited the library formed by nis late majesty king George III. which embraces the most extensive and important collection of books ever brought together by any sovereign of the British empire, or indeed of any other coimtry : and this, not confined to publications connected with some particular class of literature, but em- bracing every species of knowledge. The volumes moreover are, in general, in the best possible condition, and in very frequent instances of the most superb description, being vellum or large paper copies ; the whole forming a monu- ment worthy the judgment, the taste, and the liberal mind of the royal founder, and also of the unparalleled munificence of his majesty king George IV., who by the following letter, addressed to the late lord Liverpool, presented this library to the British nation.
" PaeiliOH, Brighton, Jan. 15, 1813. " Dear Lord Uverpool,
" The King, my late revered and excellent fiither, having formed, during a long series of years, a most valuable and extensive Library, I have resolved to present this coUec- tion to the British nation.
" Whilst I have the satisfaction by this means of ad- vancing the literature of my country, I alsofeeltltatlam paying a Just tribute to the memory of a parent, whose life was adorned with every public and private virtue.
" I desire to add, that I have great pleasure, my Lord, in making this communication through you.
'■ Believe me, with great regard,
" Your sincere ftlend,
"O. R.
" The Earl of Liverpool, K. a. ie. ^c."
■ The books are systematically arranged in 304 presses, according to subjects, as correctiy as could be accomplished in placing them accord-
- See page S(M ante.
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