THE NEW MUSEUM AND INSTITUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume VII, Issue 1971, 3 June 1876, Page 3

THE NEW MUSEUM AND INSTITUTE.

A wondeeful change has come over the Interior of the new Museum since Saturday. By dint of continuous hard work on the part of Mr Oheeseman and his corps of assistants, paid and voluntary, the scene of confusion which greeted the visitor then has now been metamorphosed into the most beautiful exhibition of works of art which has ever been presented to the public of Auckland. The work of arrangement had progressed sufficiently this morning to warrant the confident belief that everything will be ready for the opening ceremonial at eight o'clock this evening. Down stairs the splendid collections of minerals and rocks has been sat out in perfect order, and several fresh cases of valuable specimens have been added. Two oases at the far end are filled with old china,,exhibited by Mrs Whltaker. Some very ancient and curious ware is included in this collection, oonspicuous being some fine specimens of Dragon china. But it is upstairs in tha gallery that the coiip d' ml is particularly striking. Prominent in the array of beautiful objeots to be seen, are the piotures. Tne Society of Artists have their Black and White Exhibition hung on the left hand side. The exhibits in this interesting section are so numerous that some difficulty has been found to make room for them. The wall is completely covered with drawings in pencil and chalk, some of which are of a high order of merit. On the opposite wrll are the oil and water-colour paintings, which have been lent for the opening by private individuals. There are three rows of these one above another, and the general effect is excellent. We notice tne efforts of most of our local artists, amateur and professional, but we must reserve criticism for a future notice.

Miss Isaacs and Miss Leech have contributed beautiful collections of shells ; Mr Waymouah shows his graceful yacht models ; Mr Garnaut has a place for his frigate model, shewn at the opening of the Market House. A large number of highly interesting Maori mats are Bhown by Messrs Shepherd, Barstow, and Smailes, and look well hung over the railing of the gallery. V^.ln the case exhibited by Mr J. E. White and Mr T. Leigh "White, the bronze antiques comprise the followingi:! Etruscan handlamp, probably 2000 years old ; Irish spear heads, chisels, crucifix, eto. ; Egyptian dagger, with figure of Isis for handle ; ancienjfc Saxon medallion ; Roman toga fastener. There are also included in this case a curious leaden censer (early English); specimens of old window glasa from Oxford Cathedral, found during recent restorations, date olose of the 15th century; specimen of ancient Roman glass ; copies of inscriptions on the walls of catacombs (jßome), photographed by limelight; a very old greenstone mere, and other artioles of rarity and value. Amongst the natural objects in this case we notice a pair of sponge skeletons (euphlectella speoiosa); a very perfect crystal from Switzerland ; ancient amber rosary beads ; stone axe (New Caledonia); antique Irish glass beads, and several rare shells. Mr Greenshields exhibits,, a ' silk-printing loom, and a variety of patent spring belts. The piece of work displayed in the loom has the following words woven in silken letters : " Auckland Institute and Museum, June 5, 1876." Thiß, we presume, is the first piece of silk cloth ever made in the colony. However simple it may appear, as a work of art it will bear investigation by any one skilled

i« suca matters. We have also seen braces muds m the same way. They are extremely pretty, and will ,k s t a life-time. ;£h<r belts have a spring m the bank, some of the springs being formed of india-rubber rings, others of rubber elastic, and aro evidently * sreat desideratum to those who use belto in preference to braces. Such local industries deserve encouragement, and will no doubs be duly appreciated.

SIR GEORGE GREY'S EXHIBITS. By far the most interesting objects to be seen in tbo Exhibition are the old manuscripts and books contributed by hin Honor the Superintendent. These S,re of extraordinary antiquity and rarenes?, and would, be interesting to. any exhibition in the world It is needless to say they are of enormous value As taese will be sure to attract the lion's share of public attention, we append a list of the most notabie volumes t—The Faerie Queene. Copy of the first edition. Two curious and ancient missals with miniature illustrations of great beauty • date circiter 1300 A.D. 'Saxon Chronicle, by Schceffer. First edition, 1492. A manuscript of ,' Gospel of St. Luke in tiie New South Wales language. This is reputed to be the only record of thin laegtiage extant, and was the work of Mr Threlkeld, missionary, and » native i'named Birrban. Translation of Virgil; printed by Caxtou, the first English printer, 1490, A.D. Statutes of Henry VII } printed by Richard Pynson, the third Eng'ish printer. The first edition of JE<op's Fables A.D., 1480. Gospel of St. John 5 Coptic) manuscript. Collection of Statutes in Normau-French up to the rcigu of Edward 111. Salisbury Missal, with curious illustration of the Martyrdom of Thomas A'Becket, which was cut oi\t of nearly all the copies in England by royal command. The value of the copy is greatly enhanced by its having escaped this mutilation. Ar3 Moriendi. One of theoldeat books in theworld. A book of coloured etchings by W. Blake, commonly known as Pictor Ignotus. Translation of Boethius, (from the library of Sully), by Phillip do Mahun, author of the Eomaunfc de la Rose. Pericles Prince of Tyre by W> Shakespeare, originally quarto edition A.D. 1002. (Very rare.) The GoldeU Legend by Wynkyn de Worde the second English printer, A.D. 1518, Manuscript of the Bible in Latin verse ' circiter 1100 A.J.'. Historia Scolastica MS. $ circifcor 1100 A.D. Iligden's Polychiouicon ; printed by Caxtoti 1482 AD. Shakespeare's Poein9, Ist edit tun. Greek MS. of the Gospels; date circiter 800 A.!>. SpedUlnm Huma_os Salvationis— "Specimen of Block Printiag; circiter 1460 A.D.

Sir George Grey also exhibits a wonderful Maori idol said to have been brought to this country by the Maoris, also some splendid greeustone and other meres, and other Maori curiosities. The opening ceremonial will take place at eight o'clock precisely.