EXHIBITION OF ANTIQUITIES. 201 at lai'ge, and had tended to secure for the Journal so encouraging a degree of public approval. The Committee adverted, with the utmost regret, to the just cause of complaint in the delay attending the issue of the Norwich volume,— a delay which they must distinctly state is not to he attributed to any negligence on the part of the Editing Committee. This book, how- ever, as well as the Lincoln Transactions, was on the point of completion ; and they lamented that their exertions to secure the earlier publication of these works had, from causes of delay beyond their control, hitherto proved so ineffectual. PROPOSED TO BE FORMED IN LONDON, DURING THE SEASON OF 1851. The lively interest, with which the Exhibition recently opened at the Adelphi has been generally received, has led to a strong expression ol' the desire that an extensive collection of a similar nature should be formed in London, during the following year. Numerous friends of the Institute have already proffered cordial encouragement and assistance towards bring- ing together an assemblage of the more attractive productions of Medieval taste, combined with a series of National Antiquities, chronologically classified, in like manner as was adopted in five successive museums formed at the annual meetings of the Institute. To that instructive arrangement the high degree of interest and approval which these collections have excited, in the various cities visited by the Society, must be attributed. A renewal of the ready goodwill and liberal feeling evinced on those occasions by so many, — local collectors as well as members of the Institute, — in fi-cely entrusting their treasures of antiquity for a purpose of public gratification, has been promised in aid of a more extended central museum, to be opened for a limited period in London. The occasion of the Exhibition of Industry of all nations has appeared very advantageous for such a purpose ; and, if it should be deemed advisable, on further consideration, to carry into effect this proposed display of Ancient Arts and Manufactures, especially such as are of a national character, simultaneously with the great Industrial Exhibition of 1851, it is proposed that the undertaking be under the exclusive direction of the Central Committee of the Institute, and carried out by the same system of management and responsibility which has been attended with so much satisfaction at the meetings of the Society. If sufficient space, combined with perfect security, can be obtained (to which eftect preliminary arrangements are under consideration) it has been suggested that a Collection of Paintings, illustrative of the early advance of the art, especially in Great Britain, might form an important addition to the Exhibition. The members of the Institute, aiul others, who may take interest in such an undertaking, are requested to intimate to the Secretaries their disposition to give furtherance to this desirable object.
