Note on the Sudbury Mechanics' Museum. By T.B. Hall, Esq.
The foundation of Museums of Natural History in provincial towns cannot fail of being a source of interest to all lovers of science; and I have great pleasure in being able to record the formation of two very creditable museums in the counties of Suffolk and Essex. They each occupy very handsome buildings, erected expressly for the purpose. The one of which I intend to give a short account in the present article, is the Sudbury Mechanics' Museum; the other is situated at Chelmsford, a notice of which I shall reserve for a future number of 'The Zoologist.'
Having been applied to on behalf of the Chelmsford Museum, to present a series of land and fresh-water shells, and feeling a strong desire to assist the Sudbury Museum, on account of the hospitality and kindness which I have experienced from the members on various occasions; I made a point of visiting the museums for the purpose of seeing whether donations would be duly appreciated, and proper care taken of them; and I have much pleasure in being able to state, that from the zeal with which they are carried on, I am confident that any donations would be gratefully received and acknowledged, and cases would be provided for them, so that they might be suitably exhibited.[1]
I cannot here help giving an extract from a letter which I have received from Mr. W.D. King, the President of the Sudbury Mechanics' Museum, as it fully explains the motives that prompted those who were most active in the formation of it. This gentleman, in a letter to me dated the 20th of September, states that "its founders were actuated by a wish to excite amongst all classes (and the working classes in particular) habits of attention to the works of Nature, which might afford them rational and instructive amusement. They considered that whilst in the present day a strong and just feeling of regret prevails, that the working man's leisure hours should be spent in the depraved but exciting pleasures of the ale-house, too little attention is given to the very important object of providing for those leisure hours employment at once instructive to the man, and in which his wife and his family may participate. Nor were they without a hope that the collections might gradually acquire a local interest and value, which would render them additionally attractive. Encouraged
- ↑ Subscriptions and donations will be thankfully received by the Treasurer, W. Warner, Friars' Street, or by W. D. King, at the Bank of Alexander and Co.
