British Museum

Opened in London 1759; the present building, a fine modern revival of Greek architecture, was erected 1823-47 by Robert and Svdney Smirke. The foundation of the collection dates from 1735, a bequest of Sir Hans Sloane. The Egyptian collection, now of vast extent and importance, dates from the gifts of George III. in 1801. The Antique collections began with the purchase of the Townley Marbles 1805, and of the ELGIN MARBLES (q.v.) in 1816. In the various departments of books and manuscripts, ethnology, coins, Greek and Roman antiquities, med iæval antiquities, etc., there are rare and extensive collections. The A yrian collection is unrivaled and has no counterpart, except that in the Louvre. The departments of Zoology, Botany, Geology and Mineralogy have been moved to the new building at S. Kensington since 1880. A large reading-room was opened 1857. Besides many MSS. there are over 1,600,000 vols. A catalogue is in preparation. Brito, BENARDO DE, 1569-1617. Portuguese historian. Britons. Ancient inhabitants of Britain.