Viewing page 47 of 85

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

-20-

tions of the various parts of the world.  The only practicable mode of studying this interesting science or obtaining information regarding it, is by investigations into his tombs and dwelling places, and a comparison of the implements there found.  These implements when obtained are displayed in my Department.

The replenishing of the Department comes almost entirely from accidental discoveries or intentional excavations.  The supply of these implements is largely dependent upon accident and is, consequently, limited, and will never equal the demand.  The prices of good implements, the fine ones, such as we should have, will always increase and never decrease; while those that are obtained by organized expeditions for intentional excavations will always cost more that the sum for which they [[strikethrough]]sum for which they[[/strikethrough]] can usually be sold.

The object of all this argument is to show that the time is ripe, both in the history of our Museum and of the country, to purchase these fine objects as the opportunity offers, whenever they can be obtained at inexorbitant prices.

^[[Quote to here]]

III.  I recommend, or suggest, the employment of a young man as an assistant to Mr. Upham and myself, who will familiarize himself with the details of the Department, the places in which the objects are stored, their history, an acquaintance with their appearance, so that this information, impossible to be given otherwise than by personal contact, should be preserved and rendered available in case of the death of either or both of us.