在昂茲洛的建議下，設特別委員會審定斯隆收藏的價值，結果顯示遠遠超過斯隆提出的2萬英鎊的出讓費，大約至少值8萬英鎊。但財政大臣仍反對購買斯隆的收藏，理由是要購買的還有哈利（Robert Harley，1661-1724家族和柯頓（Sir Robert Bruce Cottoll，1571－1631）家族的圖書、手稿和國家檔案等的收藏。昂茲洛機智地立即抓住這句話，鼓勵委員會就購買斯隆爵士收藏的同時，附帶收購哈利、柯頓家族的收藏而向議會提出議案。為此，英國議會下院正式通過建立不列顛博物館的《大英博物館法》，並與1753年6月7日獲得英王的批准。
提供大英博物館網站提供的資料，更加準確詳實。其中提到斯隆爵士的藏品數量，是說“His collection then amounted to more than 71,000objects. Chiefly natural history specimens, the collection also included 1,125 "things relating to the customs of ancient times or antiquities" and 23,000 coins and medals. There were also 50,000books, prints and manuscripts, together with a herbarium (acollection of dried plants).”——總數超過71000件，主要是自然歷史標本，還包括“1125件與古代傳統或古物有關的物品”和23000枚貨幣和徽章。還有5萬件書籍、印刷品和手稿以及植物標本集。這個說法比上文要準確。
Sir Hans Sloane
Sir Hans Sloane (1660 -1753) was born in Killyleagh, Ireland in relatively modest circumstances. Inspired by a childhood interest in natural history, he studied medicine in London and France. It was said of him by William Stukeley, the antiquary, that he was "an instance of the great power of industry which can advance a man to a considerable height in the world's esteem with moderate parts & learning..."
His career as a collector really began when in 1687, as personal physician, he accompanied the new Governor, the Duke of Albermarle,to Jamaica. He collected some 800 species of plants and other live specimens to bring back to London. An account of his travels was published in 1707 and 1725.
On his return to London in 1689 Sloane set up a successful medicalpractice at his home in No. 3 Bloomsbury Place - coincidentallyjust along the street from the present Museum building. He had agood bedside manner and accumulated wealthy and aristocraticpatients, among them Queen Anne and Kings George I and II, but alsoparticipated in charitable work.
An innovative doctor, Sloane promoted inoculation againstsmallpox, the use of quinine (a treatment for malaria) and thehealth-giving properties of drinking chocolate mixed with milk. Hebecame President of the College of Physicians in 1719 and in 1727succeeded Sir Isaac Newton as President of the Royal Society.
In 1695 he married Elizabeth Langley, widow of Fulk Rose ofJamaica. They had two surviving daughters, Sarah who married GeorgeStanley of Paultons, Hampshire and Elizabeth who became LadyCadogan. He was created a Baronet in 1716.
He absorbed complete collections made by others, among themWilliam Charlton (Courten) (1642-1702) and James Petiver (d.1718)and also received objects from friends and patients. One wit calledhim "the foremost toyman of his time". As a result his collectionoutgrew the house at No. 3 Bloomsbury Place and he purchased No. 4as well.
In 1742 he moved with his collections to a manor house inChelsea. His time there is still commemorated by such place namesas 'Sloane Square' and 'Hans Crescent'.
Sloane died at the age of 93 in 1753 and was buried at ChelseaOld Church. His collection then amounted to more than 71,000objects. Chiefly natural history specimens, the collection alsoincluded 1,125 "things relating to the customs of ancient times orantiquities" and 23,000 coins and medals. There were also 50,000books, prints and manuscripts, together with a herbarium (acollection of dried plants).
A group of Trustees was appointed under the terms of his will tooversee the distribution of the collection which was left to KingGeorge II for the nation. Parliament intervened and Sloane'scollection was acquired on payment of £20,000 to his two daughtersand became the foundation of the British Museum.
補充書目
Arthur MacGregor(ed)，《漢斯·斯隆爵士：收藏家，科學家，古物研究者》（Sir Hans Sloane: Collector, scientist, antiquary，倫敦，1994年）
E St John Brooks,《漢斯·斯隆爵士：大收藏家及其收藏》（The Great Collector and his Circle，倫敦，1954年）
Gavin R de Beer,《漢斯·斯隆爵士和大英博物館》（Sir Hans Sloane and the British Museum，倫敦，1953年）
漢斯·斯隆爵士的標本托盤
大英博物館
大英博物館入場券，公元1790年3月3日。