8 The Very Rev. H. R. Dawson on the 



art as connected with Ireland, and the subject is very interesting. The artist, 

 T. Pingo, has not hesitated to put his name upon the work, and it fully sup- 

 ports the character he has obtained. The obverse presents three figures, 

 on the right a female thrown upon the ground, emblematic of Ireland ; at her 

 feet a cap of liberty and a spear. A male figure in the centre is represented 

 seizing her by the hair with his left hand, and with the right holds a dagger over 

 her. 'On the left stands Justice, with her emblems, averting his uplifted arm, and 

 the inscription reads, may geokge protect what justice trys to save. On 

 the reverse, at the top, is the harp of Ireland, with some of the strings broken, 

 and at the bottom a shield, bearing the arms of the city of Dublin, the sword, 

 mace, cap, and collar of the city lying near it on the ground. Across the field 

 is the legend, the glorious - attempt - of lxiv-to preserve the- consti- 

 tution - MDCcxLix. There is every reason to presume that this medal was struck 

 to commemorate the defeat of the efforts put forth by the celebrated Charles Lucas 

 in favour of the liberties of the Corporation of Dublin, as it was in this year he 

 addressed his memorable letter to George II. on the charter of the liberties of 

 the city of Dublin, complaining that the freemen and common council were 

 defrauded of their rights and privileges by the Board of Aldermen, who, he 

 alleged, were mere usurpers, and arrogated to themselves too much power in the 

 election of the Lord Mayor. 



I am now about to call your attention to a medal in the possession of many 

 families in this country, which, in design and execution, will not be easily sur- 

 passed. As it has not, I believe, been published, and as it relates to an event 

 considered very remarkable in the history of the Irish Parliament, I shall be 

 excused for recording some details respecting it while they are yet attainable. 

 By the Commons' Journals it appears that from the year 1692 the practice of the 

 house was to call for and examine the public accounts. If there appeared a 

 deficiency in the treasury, they provided for it ; if a surplus remained after the 

 purposes were served for which it had been granted, they proceeded to dispose of 

 it for the public advantage, without asking permission from the Crown, or re- 

 ceiving any intimation that the king's prerogative was thereby invaded. It 

 happened that in 1Y49 a considerable sum remained in the treasury, and upon 

 the circumstance being reported, the Commons of Ireland framed the heads of a 

 bill, according to the powers heretofore exercised by them, for applying a portion 



