22 REPOltT. 



eslablisliment, induced the Council to consider it as their 

 duty, to provide materials for a descriptive publication. 



In the mean time, the Society of Antiquaries, unapprised 

 of this design, requested permission to make drawings with 

 the same view ; and the Council, considering the great advan- 

 tages enjoyed by a Metropolitan Institution, for executing 

 such a work, and only desirous that it should be published 

 in the most perfect manner, determined not only to give the 

 permission requested, but to add to it the assistance which 

 was necessary to render the publication complete. They have 

 therefore communicated the various drawings which have 

 been made at the Society's expense ; and propose hereafter 

 to resume the excavation, and investigate what still remains 

 to be ascertained. 



It was thought reasonable, however, that participating thus 

 largely in the expense, the Society should have a share in 

 the profits to be derived from the undertaking: and it has 

 therefore been agreed, that two hundred copies of the work 

 shall be placed at the disposal of the Council. These copies 

 will be offered to the members of the Society who may 

 desire to subscribe for them, and the fund arising from 

 this source, will be employed in defraying the expenses of 

 excavating the remaining foundations, and repairing the 

 ruins of the Abbey. 



The Society is now entrusted, by the gtacious confidence 

 of the Crown, with the conservation of these picturesque, but 

 shattered Remains ; and the Council have felt it incumbent 



