THE NEW MUSEUM AND INSTITUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume VII, Issue 1972, 5 June 1876, Page 3

THE NEW MUSEUM AND INSTITUTE.

A wonderful change has come over the interior of the new Museum since Saturday. By dint of continuous hard work on the part of Mr Oheeaeman 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 bad progressed sufficiently thia morning to warrant the confident belief that everything will be ready for the opening ceremonial at eight o'clock this evening. Down stairß 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 rilled with old china, exhibited by Mrs Whitaker. Some very ancient and curious ware i 8 included in this collection, conspicuous being some fine specimens of Dragon china. But it is upstairs in the gallery that; the coup d' mil is particularly striking. Prominent in the array of beautiful objects to be seen, are the pictures. 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 moufc of our local artists, amateur and professional, but we must reeerve 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 largo number of highly Interesting Maori matß are shown by Messrs Shepherd, BarBtow, and Smailes, and look well hung over the railing of the gallery. fi .In the case exhibited by Mr J. E. White and Mr T. Leigh White, the bronze antiques comprise the following!:I Etruscan handlamp, probably 2000 years old ; Irish spear heads, chisels, crucifix, etc. ; Egyptian dagger, with figure of Isis for handle ; ancient Saxon medallion ; Roman toga fastener. There are also included in this case a curioua leaden censer (early English); specimens of old window glass from Oxford Cathedral, found during recent restorations, date close of the 15th century; specimen of ancient Roman glass ; copies of inscriptions on the walls of oatacombs (jßome), photographed by limelight; a very old greenstone mere, and other articles of rarity and value. Amongst the natural objectß in this case we notice a pair of sponge skeletons (euphlectella apeciosa); a very perfect crystal from Switzerland ; ancient amber rosary beads ; stone axe (New Caledonia); antique Irish glaBS 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." This, 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

in such matters. We have also seen braces made in the same way. They are extremely pretty, and will last a life-time. The belts have a spring in the back, some of the springs being formed of india-rubb9r rings, others of rubber elastic, and are evidently a great desideratum to those who use belts 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 the Exhibition are the old manuscripts and books contributed by his Honor the Superintendents These are of extraordinary antiquity and rareness, and would be interesting iv any exhibition intheworid. It is needless to say they are of enormous value. As these will be sure to attract the lion's share of public attention, we append a list of the most notabie volumes :—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 the New South Wales language. This is reputed to be the only record of this language extant, and was the work of Mr Threlkeid, missionary, and a native "named Birrban. Translation of Virgil; printed by Caxfcon, the drat English printer, 1490, A.D. Statutes of Henry VII ; printed by Richard Pynson, thn third En^ish printer. The first edition of /Eiop's Fables, A.D., 1480. Gospel of 3b. John ; Coptic tnatsuseripb. Collection of Statutes in Norman-French up to the reign of Edward 111. Salisbury Missal, with curious illustration of the Martyrdom of Thomas A'Beeket, which was cut; out of nearly all the copies in England by royal command. The value of the copy is greatly enhanced by its having escaped this mutilation. Ars Moriendi. One of theoldest books ia the world, A book of coloured etchings by W. Blake, commonly known aa Pictor Ignotua. Translation of Boethius, (from the library of Sully), by Phillip de Mahun, author of the [Komaunfc de la Rose. Pericles Prince of Tyre by W. Shakespeare, originally quarto edition A.D. IGO2. (Very 'rare.) Tho Golden Legend by Wynkyn de Worde the second English printer, A.D. 1518, Manuscript of the Bible iv Latin verse 5 circiter 1100 A.D. Historia Scolastica MS. ; circifcor 1100 A.D. Higden's Polychionicon ; printed by Caxtou 1452 A.D. Shakespeare's Poems, lsb edition. Greek MS. of the Gospsls; drtte circiter 800 A. l>. Speculum Huraansß Salvationis — Specimen of Block Printing; circiter 1460 \.D. Sir George Grey also exhibits a wonderful Maori idol said to have been brought to this country by the Maoris, also some splendid greenstone and other meres, and other Maori curiosities. The opening ceremonial will take place at eight o'clock precisely.