Of the several schemes and projects of extension which rest on the twofold basis of (1) the retention at Bloomsbury of nearly all the existing collections, with ample space for their prospective increase, and (2) such an effective internal re-arrangement of the collections themselves as would greatly increase the public facilities of access and study, none better deserves the attention of the reader than that which was submitted in the first instance to the Trustees of the British Museum, and subsequently to Parliament (in 1860) by Mr. Edmund OLDFIELD, then a Senior Assistant in the Department of Antiquities, entrusted (in succession to Mr. C. T. NEWTON, on his proceeding to Greece) with the charge of the Greek and Roman Galleries. By this plan it is proposed to erect on the west side of the Museum a new range of Galleries for Greek and Roman Antiquities. The façade in Charlotte Street—prolonged to the house No. 4 in Bedford Square—would extend to about 440 feet in length, with an usual depth of 140, increased at the southern extremity to 190 feet. This new range would provide for the whole of the present Greek, Roman, Phœnician, and Etruscan Antiquities, and for considerable augmentations. To Assyrian Antiquities would be assigned the present Elgin Gallery, the ‘Mausoleum Room,’ and the ‘Hellenic Room,’ together with two other rooms—gained in part by new adaptations of space comprised within the existing buildings. [Sidenote: MR. OLDFIELD’S PROJECT OF RECONSTRUCTION OF THE GALLERIES OF ANTIQUITIES (1858–1860).] The rooms now devoted to the Antiquities of Kouyunjik and Nimroud would then be applied to the reception of Egyptian Antiquities, together with a room to be constructed on the site of the present principal staircase. The Lycian Gallery would retain its site, with an enlargement westward. I quote Mr. OLDFIELD’S own descriptive account of his project, in full, from the Appendix to the _Minutes of Evidence_ of 1860. [Sidenote: ENTRANCE HALL.] I. _Entrance Hall._—On the north side is a staircase, such as suggested by Mr. PANIZZI, forming the access to the galleries of Natural History. [Sidenote: PRIVATE ROOM FOR SCULPTURES.] II. Room for the first reception, unpacking, and examination of sculptures, the consideration of such as are offered for purchase, the cleaning and repairing of marbles and mosaics, and storing of pedestals, mason’s apparatus, and machinery, &c. [Sidenote: FIRST EGYPTIAN ROOM.] III. _First Egyptian Room._—The present two staircases, and the wall at the east end of the Assyrian Transept being removed, a handsome entrance would be obtained to the galleries of Antiquities. The room would be about seventy-six feet by thirty-five, and though not very well lighted, might suffice for the monuments of the first twelve dynasties of Egypt, at present in the northern vestibule and lobby, which have no very artistic character. [Sidenote: SECOND EGYPTIAN ROOM.]