CATLIN'S EXHIBITION.
Mr. Catlin has recently been exerting himself in the advocacy of a "museum of mankind, to contain and perpetuate the familiar looks, the manufactures, history, and records of all the vanishing races of man." A report on the subject was lately read by him at one of our scientifle societies ; and on Friday the 9th he delivered an address on the subject at his American-Indian Collection. He opened by a general review of his past labours in the study of the native tribes of America, illustrated by a reference to some of the numerous records he has collected, and by the appearance of various nativan themselves in full costume. Mr. Catlin then proceeded to enforce the comprehensive scheme which now occupies him. After pointing out the urgent necessity of at once engaging in the formation of a museum of the kind proposed by him, if it is to be gathered together at all —for the inroads of civilization are rapidly extirpating the native races of the world—he went on to develop his plan in its practical details. He proposes, as the first step, the purchase and fitting-up of a steamer "as a floating museum," in which the sea-port towns of all countries should be visited ; considering that this mode of exhibition would possess great advantages through "the facility of its visiting the chief cities of the world, stopping no longer in any than a lucrative excitement could be kept up " ; and in the great immediate saving of time, as well as in other respects. Mr. Catlin's present collection would form the basis of such a museum, and he undertakes all liabilities and risks.
The lecturer expressed his determination to persist in his efforts until they shall have accomplished the object he has in view ; and in order to give further publicity to his plans, he announced a continuation of lectures and discussions on the subject every Thursday evening for the pre- sent. The remarkable energy Mr. Catlin has heretofore displayed may give us confidence in at least his unflinching perseverance.
Previous page
