ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL ASSOCIATION. 31 



The vigorous and healthy constitution he originally enjoyed could 

 not but be affected by close confinement, over-exertion, and desponding 

 spirits. From the good effects that even a few days' relaxation always 

 afforded there can be no doubt that a more prolonged absence from " toil 

 and trouble" would have been, at any time during the last years of his 

 office life, productive of beneficial results. Tn the autumn and winter 

 of 1846, the " famine year," there was a great and unavoidable increase 

 of office work. It came upon Ball at a time when he was physically 

 but ill fitted to bear the additional burthen ; and, after continuing his 

 efforts longer than he ought to have done, he became utterly prostrated, 

 and was ordered by his physicians to cease altogether for some weeks 

 from anything requiring mental effort. 



There are services which are trying, responsible, and laborious, yet 

 which have something cheering and pleasant at the close, as the murky 

 sky is sometimes gladdened by the tints of the sunset. The close came 

 at last, but brought to Ball no graceful recognition of official services 

 performed, nor that provision for the evening of life that he had anti- 

 cipated. In 1852 a reduction took place in the Chief Secretary's office, 

 and Mr. Ball was placed on the retired list, on the ground that he " de- 

 voted much attention to scientific pursuits ; and that it was not ex- 

 pedient that public servants should be thus occupied." He felt much 

 hurt at the rebuke implied in these words, for his duties had not been 

 neglected, — they had, according to his convictions, been faithfully and 

 honestly fulfilled. At the end of twenty-five years' public service, his 

 retiring allowance was now fixed at £162 per annum. 



A few years prior to his being superannuated at the Castle, he had, 

 in 1844, entered on a public appointment of a very different kind, — 

 that of Director of the Museum in Trinity College, Dublin. This office 

 was taken with the full approval of his superiors, Lord Eliot and Mr. 

 Pennefather. It exercised an important influence on his future life, 

 supplying not merely regular occupation, but occupation most congenial 

 to his tastes and acquirements. It tasked his energies for years ; but in 

 none of his letters is it ever coupled with complaint Of it he could 

 say with sincerity, — " My good will is to it." 



It is so rarely that Mr. Ball speaks of his own acquirements or of his 

 private collection, that a few passages from the letter, addressed to the 

 Board of Trinity College, in which he proposes for the Directorship, may 

 be read with interest : — 



