COUNCIL FOR 1844. 11 



apartment the Council Iiave appropriated to the architectural 

 fragments of the Abbey, and other antiquarian specimens, for 

 which it is well fitted from its cliaracter and size. 



The business incident to the reception of the Association 

 being concluded, the Council proceeded to carry into execution 

 a wish known to have been expressed by that great benefactor 

 of the Society, the late Dr. Beckwith, by erecting a distinct 

 dwelling house for the Sub-curator. This long-contemplated 

 improvement has been so successfully executed, that while the 

 desired accommodation has been obtained at a moderate cost, 

 the style of the building, harmonizing with the architecture 

 of the adjoining ancient palace, will, it is hoped, be considered 

 as adding an appropriate embellishment to the site. 



The Grounds attached to the Museum, even in their former 

 limited extent, have been acknowledged by all persons of com- 

 petent taste, to possess almost unrivalled capabilities for 

 picturesque beauty. But when called upon by a generally 

 expressed wish, to add to the public enjoyment by the en- 

 largement of the Gardens, the Council felt that it would 

 require the skill of an accomplished artist to surmount the 

 peculiar difficulties presented by the site, so as to produce the 

 most pleasing effects by the harmony or contrast of its varied 

 architectural features, and to open out the most interesting 

 views of more distant objects, while excluding as much as 

 possible such as are unsightly or incongruous. 



The Council, therefore, having first removed the principal 

 impediments to the enlargement of the Museum Gardens by an 

 agreement with the Commissioners of the Ouse Navigation, 

 alike beneficial to the Society and the public ; and having 

 taken into their hands all the Society's demesne, excepting 

 the small portion of it which is let on long leases, had recourse 

 to the professional aid of a gentleman of high reputation in 

 the art of Landscape Gardening, to assist them in the task of 

 laying out the grounds in such a manner as to satisfy all the 

 requirements of a refined taste ; and they have the gratifica- 

 b2 



