Page:A Tour Through the Batavian Republic.djvu/101

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THE BATAVIAN REPUBLIC
89

inquisitive stranger, the prince's cabinet of natural history and museum of rarities held a distinguished place. It is now removed to Paris; and as the influence of party operates, its loss is regarded as a weighty misfortune, or a trifle unworthy of notice. They who accommodate themselves to the circumstances of the times, represent it as a collection of baubles fit only for the amusement of women and children; and the enemies of the present system, who inveigh against the rapacity of the French, maintain its superiority over the British Museum. The real value of this cabinet is perhaps to be found in the medium between these opposite opinions. Professor Pallas, the Pliny of Russia, acquired in this collection the elements of that knowledge which has since rendered his, of deserved reputation, studied in the same school. It may therefore be presumed, that this collection could enrich the man of science, as well as amuse the feeble