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contemplation, and the purpose to which it should be put demanded special consideration. The exhibits on the floor of the Hall have been chosen to emphasize not only the architectural features of the structure but also the specifically Welsh character of the Museum and the wide scope of its activities; cases uniform in type and specially designed for their positions have been provided for the art and archaeological exhibits on balconies and bridges, and the exhibits in the whole area are limited in number. This limita- tion is due to realisation of the fact that a tour of the Galleries necessarily makes a heavy demand on visitors, and it is hoped that in this portion of the Museum the public will appreciate a restful environment. Under the dome are fine examples of Welsh sculpture the lateral bays contain a representative series of the early Christian monuments of Wales, covering the whole of the Dark Ages, from the departure of the Roman legions to the Norman conquest. Eight cases in the Hall illustrate the range and character of the exhibits in the three Natural Science Departments, and in the De- partment of Archaeology; the visitor will also see here the Investiture Regalia of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. The best evidence of the value of the institution to the people of Wales and their growing interest in it is the number of visitors who enter the building. In the year ending September, 1926, THE INFLUENCE OF THE WELSH IN AMERICA by Sir Alfred T. Eavies, K.B.E., C.B. THE part that Welshmen have played in the creation and development of the Great Republic of the West is neither small nor unimportant. The greater pity, therefore, that it is not-never has been in fact-adequately recognised. The view that Welsh influence has largely helped to mould the United States of America and to make them what they are to-day does not rest upon the stories either of Prince Madoc or of the band of Welshmen who, it is said, found themselves in America centuries before Columbus ever set foot on its shores, but upon the solid achievements of Welshmen not a few, who have left their mark on,-nay who even laid the foundations of,-the greatest Democratic State in the New World. Foremost among the names of the men of whom this is true is that of Thomas Jefferson who would be entitled to a chief place among the famous men of his, or any other, generation if his reputation rested only on his achievement the total number was 147,000, but last year it was 194,000, an increase of nearly 47,000 in one year, while the services of its staff are more and more in demand all over Wales for lectures and for assistance in research. What the Museum needs most is more exhibi- tion space. Much material of the greatest interest to the general public is stored away in the basements. One group of exhibits may be mentioned-the industrial series. There is a complete set of machines and looms illustrating the early woollen industry of Wales; the contents of one early nineteenth century "factory," with its water-driven machinery, will occupy the upper gallery of the east wing when it is built. The foundations of this wing have been con- structed since 1912 the superstructure, together with a much-needed lecture theatre, will cost JE 150,000, towards which £ 50,000 is now in hand or promised. A generous donation by the late Lord Buckland forms the greater part of this total. It would be very gratifying to the Council if during this year, which marks the coming-of- age of the Institution, the money in hand towards this much-needed extension could be materially increased. The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., free; and on Sundays from 2-30 p.m. to 5 p.m., admission threepence. A complete illustrated Short Guide to the collections can be obtained in the Entrance Hall. as author of the ever-memorable American Declaration of Independence. An abler, or more versatile, man than this "One Welshman (as the late Mr. Whitelaw Reid, the American Am- bassador, styled the Inaugural Address upon him which he delivered at Aberystwyth College on the 31st October, 1912) it would be difficult to conceive. Chosen by Washington to be Secre- tary of State in his first administration after the Revolution, Jefferson's amazing powers of mind and of action stand further attested by his work as author of the Statute of Religious Equality for the State of Virginia (passed at a time when toleration had not come to be the recognised feature in good government which it is to-day), by his conception, and founding, of the Uni- versity of Virginia, still one of the most delightful seats of learning in America,-by his skill as architect both of its buildings and of the Capitol at Richmond, and as his being one of the Fathers of that University spirit which is so