One of the chief objects of the Museum was that of serving as the home of a body of men who devoted themselves to study, and were lodged and maintained at the king's expense.
Occasionally he himself sat at their table.

Anecdotes connected with those festive occasions have descended to our times.

In the original organization of the Museum the residents were divided into four faculties--literature; mathematics, astronomy, medicine.

Minor branches were appropriately classified under one of these general heads; thus natural history was considered to be a branch of medicine.

An officer of very great distinction presided over the establishment, and had general charge of its interests.