I think we owe our position in large part to the hundreds of thousands of people who visit the British Museum, attracted by the heterogeneous mixture of objects.

If we lost this support, as I think we should--for a mere collection of animals does not seem very attractive to the masses (judging from the Museum of the Zoological Society, formerly in Leicester Square)--then I do not think we should get nearly so much aid from Government.

Therefore I should be inclined to stick to the mummies and Assyrian gods as long as we could.

If we knew that Government was going to turn us out, then, and not till then, I should be inclined to make an energetic move.

If we were to separate, I do not believe that we should have funds granted for the many books required for occasional reference: each man must speak from his own experience.