British Museum director Neil MacGregor believes that “the museum was, from the start, an enlightenment institution. It was a practical affirmation of Addison’s vision of Londoners as citizens of the world. It set out to show that other peoples were like us. It was an embodiment of Lockeian toleration. And that’s how it ought to be today. For that reason, says MacGregor, there is no unique or coherent narrative within the museum.”