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cannot say that it is at all in a satisfactory
state. Coles kept the register into which
every object was supposed to be entered on
its acquisition, and he also abstracted the
various entries to classified lists. This
last process was done irregularly, with the
result that the entries are incomplete, and
the numbers, which ought to be consecutive,
have been fequently duplicated. Moreover
there are numerous objects, and collections,
which have never been catalogued. How
many exhibits have been registered, and are
now missing, I have still to learn. The
administration has been characterised by
a lack of system. A little ingenuity would
have prevented many of the errors in the
abstract registers and in the register itself.
Last week I spent a pleasant week-end
at Crawford Priory with the Cochranes,
having been asked there to pronounce an
opionion on a fort, which Mr Cochrane thought
of excavating. We made several exploratory
openings but there was no trace of any level of
occupation, though the fort itself is well defined,
and has been strongly fortified.
To secure influence in Orkney, where Cursiter

the Kirkwall "Merchant" has for long had it
his own way and has secured a valuable col:
:lection, at my suggestion the Council have
recommended a young enthusiast named
Kirkness, as a corresponding member. I shall
intimate his appointment to the local papers,
and I feel sure he will serve me well. I wish
I had a number of such correspondents throughout
Scotland. Perhaps in time I shall find them.
We have had much agitation over the question
of Sunday opening. I little thought when I
suggested it that I was throwing down an
apple of discord. A reactionary party headed
by Dr [Doctor] Hay Fleming tried to get a snap vote on
the question at the Annual general meeting,
but failed through the experienced handling
of Sir Herbert Maxwell in the Chair. The
question was brought up at an adjourned
meeting called ad hoc and Hay Fleming's
motion defeated by some 24 votes on a
poll of sixty odd.

22nd March 1914.
The Treasury have finally passed the es:
:timates for reflooring and fireproofing the
Museum, at a cost of £15000 - £16000 so I
am now busily engaged making preparations
to transfer the whole collection into the
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