the Marsupials' House (Pl. 46), containing the great ant-eater, the *Sloths' House (Pl. 47), and a Kangaroo Shed (Pl. 48). The Sloths' House contains at present some of the most interesting immates of the Gardens, in the form of three Chimpanzees, one of which ('Sally') has been here since 1883. 'Sally', who is very lively and intelligent, performs many little tricks at the command of her keeper. Opposite are another Kangaroo Shed (Pl. 49) and the Wombats' House (Pl. 50). Here we turn to the right and pass the Brush Turkeys (Pl. 51) and the Markhore House (Pl. 52) on the right, and a small Refreshment Stall (Pl. 53) on the left. Opposite this stall is the Parrot House (Pl. 54), containing about ninety different species of that gaudy and harsh-voiced bird, next to which is the new *Elephant and Rhinoceros House (Pl. 56), containing the African and Asiatic varieties of these animals.

No. 57 contains deer belonging to the old world; No. 59 is the Superintendent's Office. Proceeding in a straight direction, we reach in succession the *Hippopotamus and Brazilian Tapir (Pl. 60), *Giraffes (Pl. 61), Zebras (Pl. 62), and Ostriches (Pl. 63). Returning along the S. side of the houses of the animals just mentioned, we reach, on the left, the Gazelles (Pl. 64) and the Beavers (Pl. 58). A little way beyond the Beaver House we reach the Exit, which takes us into the Outer Circle.

Part of the southern portion of Regent's Park is occupied by the Botanic Gardens (Pl. B, 20), which are circular in shape, and are enclosed by the drive called the Inner Circle. Large flower-shows take place here on three Wednesdays in May and June, which are largely attended by the fashionable world (tickets of admission sold at the gate). On other occasions the gardens are open daily (Sundays and Wednesdays excepted) to anyone presenting an order of admission given by a Fellow of the Botanical Society. Strangers are generally admitted on application to the officials. The Museum and the collections of sea-weeds and orchids are very interesting.

On the E. side of the Park stands St. Katherine's Hospital, with its chapel. This building was erected in substitution of one which formerly occupied the site of St. Katherine's Docks. The property was purchased by the Dock Company from the Hospital trustees for a very large sum, part of which was laid out in the construction of the new cluster of buildings in the Park. The Hospital was originally intended for the shelter and succour of 'six poor bachelors and six poor spinsters'; but is now the Central House for Nurses for the Poor, maintained by the Jubilee gift of the women of Engand to the Queen. The income is about 7000l. a year. Several old monuments from the original hospital are preserved here.

To the S. of Regent's Park runs the MARYLEBONE ROAD, containing the imposing new premises of Madame Tussaud's wellknown waxwork exhibition (adm., see p. 44), which are close to the Baker Street station of the Metropolitan railway. The large

ilding opposite Mme. Tussaud's is the Marylebone Workhouse ee Pl. R, 20).

The summit of Primrose Hill (Pl. B, 14; 205 ft.), an eminence to ne N. of Regent's Park, from which it is separated by the canal and road, commands a very extensive view. On the E. and S., as far s the eye can reach, nothing is seen but the roofs and spires of ne stupendous city of London, while on the N. the green hills of Hampstead and Highgate form the picturesque background of a andscape which contrasts pleasantly with the dingy buildings of The metropolis. At the S. base of the hill there is an open-air gymnasium; a refreshment-room has also been opened. A 'Shakspeare Oak' was planted on the S. slope of the hill in 1864, on the Cercentenary celebration of the great dramatist's birth.

To the N.W. in Finchley Road, near the Swiss Cottage, stands New College, for the education of ministers of the Congregational Body. Among its past professors have been some men of considerable note. It contains a good theological library. The building was erected about 25 years ago in the midst of what was then green fields, and is admired for its style and proportions. Farther out in the Finchley Road (beyond Pl. B, 5) is the new Hackney Congregational College, erected in 1887 at a cost of about 23,000l.

Lord's Cricket Ground (Pl. B, 12; p. 47), in St. John's Wood Road, to the W. of Regent's Park, is thronged with a large and brilliant crowd of spectators on the occasion of the principal cricket matches, particularly when Cambridge is disputing the palm of victory with Oxford, or, better still, Eton with Harrow; and it then presents a characteristic and imposing spectacle, which the stranger should not fail to see. Admission on ordinary days 6d.; during great matches, which are always advertised beforehand, 1s. The ground was purchased by the Marylebone Cricket Club for a large sum, to prevent it from being built upon.

22. The British Museum.

The nucleus of the now vast contents of the **British Museum (Pl. R, 28; 11) was formed by the library and collection of Sir Hans Sloane (d. 1753), who in his will offered them to the State for the sum of 20,000l. (said to have been 30,000l. less than their value). An Act of Parliament was at once passed for the acceptance of the offer, and the collections, along with the Harleian MSS. and the Cottonian Library, were deposited in Montague House, which was bought for the purpose. The presentation by George III. of a collection of Egyptian antiquities in 1801, and the purchase of the Townley Marbles in 1805 and the Elgin Marbles in 1816, made such additions to the original contents that a new wing had to be built for their reception. The Museum continued to increase, and when George IV. presented it in 1823 with the King's Library, collected by George III., old Montague House was felt to be now quite inadequate for its purpose, and a new building, designed by Sir Robert Smirke and completed by his younger brother Sydney Smirke, was erected on its site between 1823 and 1852. The new Reading Room (see (p. 254) was added in 1857, and since 1879 the bequest of a large sum of money by Mr.William White has made possible the erection of a new gallery for the Mausoleum marbles and an entire new wing, known as the 'White Wing', on the S.E. side of the Museum (see p. 253). The contents of the British Museum are at present arranged in seven sections, each under the special superintendence of an Under Librarian or Keeper. These sections are as follows: Printed Books (Maps and Plans), Manuscripts, Prints and Drawings, Oriental Antiquities, British and Mediæval Antiquities and Ethnography, Greek and Roman Antiquities, and Coins and Medals. The sections of Zoology, Botany, Geology, and Mineralogy are now at S. Kensington (see p. 273). Wherever it is practicable, the names are attached to the different objects. For a thorough study of the collections the excellent official catalogues are indispensable; for a hasty visit the following directions may suffice. Courses of lectures on the various antiquities of the Museum are delivered here by experts from time to time. The number of visitors to the British Museum in 1888, exclusive of readers and students, was 493,510.

The Museum is open free on every week-day from 10 a.m. till 4, 5, or 6 p.m. according to the season; on Mondays and Saturdays from 1st May to the middle of July it is open till 8 p.m., and from 15th July to 31st Aug. till 7 p.m. The general public are not admitted to the British, Mediæval, and Ethnographical departments or to the rooms in the White Wing on Tues. and Thurs., these days being reserved for students; but strangers will obtain admission to the closed sections without difficulty. The Museum is shut on Good Friday and Christmas Day. Sticks and umbrellas are left in the hall. Catalogues may be obtained in the hall, or from the attendants in the various sections. Those offered for sale outside are not trustworthy. Good photographs of several of the most interesting drawings and sculptures in the Museum may be purchased in the chief librarian's office.

The PRINCIPAL FAÇADE, towards (S.) Great Russell Street, with two projecting wings and a portico in the centre, is 370 ft. in length. In front it has an Ionic colonnade of 44 columns. The pediment above the Portico, which is borne by two rows of eight columns, is adorned with sculptures by Westmacott: on the right, Progress of the Human Race; on the left, allegorical figures of Mathematics, the Drama, Poetry, Music, and Natural Philosophy.

The ENTRANCE HALL, which in 1877 was enlarged by an extension towards the N., measures 62 ft. in length. The ceiling is embellished with encaustic painting. The statue of Shakspeare on the right, at the entrance to the library, chiselled by Roubiliac, was presented by Garrick, the actor. On the W. side of the hall is the principal staircase, ascending to the first floor. To the left of it is a bust of the Duke of Marlborough, by Rysbrack. By the door leading into the sculpture room is a statue of Mrs. Damer, the sculptress, by Westmacott. Various Buddhist sculptures from