The life and correspondence of Sir Anthony Panizzi, K.C.B., Vol. 1 (of 2): Late principal librarian of the British museum, senator of Italy, etc.Fagan, Louis
History
The life and correspondence of Sir Anthony Panizzi, K.C.B., Vol. 1 (of 2): Late principal librarian of the British museum, senator of Italy, etc.
Fagan, Louis
Panizzi, Anthony, Sir, 1797-1879
1st. The gate by Mr. König’s house, on the west side of the officer’s
houses, as well as another gate, higher up, on the same road, ought to
be strengthened. The same ought to be done with those on the roads to
the north and east, right and left of the reading-room entrance. The
iron gate also to Montagu Place ought to be strengthened, locked, and
the key kept by you; nor ought the opening under the new passage, from
your house to the Library, to be left unprotected.
2nd. All the doors in the basement, particularly those opening on the
yards and roads outside the building, ought to be kept locked, and
none opened, under any pretence, without an officer’s order.
3rd. The two clerks of the works, the enginemen, and the house
carpenter, should be at hand throughout the day, and have the
fire-engines ready for use at a moment’s notice. It would be as well
to have a couple of men from Mr. Merryweather’s with them.
4th. More police lanthorns, a dozen at least to be provided, in case
they might be required at night.
5th. No officer, attendant, or servant whatever, to leave the Museum
on Monday, except with your special leave.
Yours, &c., A. PANIZZI.”
“P.S.—There are men in the house ready and able to use firearms (if
provided with them) should it be absolutely necessary. We ought to
provide them; as to the absolute necessity of actually using them, it
must depend on circumstances.”
On the 15th of April, the Trustees held a meeting, and “acknowledged
thankfully the human means which have been employed in their service, in
the maintenance of the safety of the British Museum in their charge, and
to record, accordingly, their grateful conviction of the intelligence,
energy, zeal, and union, which have been displayed by their Principal
Librarian, by the heads of departments” and by the gentlemen engaged
under them.”
Thus happily passed off what appeared to be at one time a threatening
position for the British Museum; and it is a subject of hearty
congratulation that the would-be disturbers of the public peace were
faint-hearted and disorganized, or serious results might have ensued,
fraught with danger to human life, and destruction to public buildings
and their contents. Had the Museum been really attacked, who can reckon
the loss to the Nation? No doubt the energetic precautions taken had
much to do with smothering the fire which appeared at one time likely to
kindle; and for this there is much reason for us, of the present day, to
be thankful to those, who were instrumental in protecting our National
Institution.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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