84 PROCEBDINOS RELATIVE 



space which it aflfords, is, in the opinion of the Subcommittee, 

 neither more nor less than what the Institution ought to 

 have ; and that the arrangement of it is such as will be both 

 commodious and handsome. 



But before the sanction of the Committee to this plan and 

 elevation can be asked, it will be requisite to state the 

 expense at which the execution of it has been estimated. 

 It is proposed by the Subcommittee to build by contract ; 

 to consider the specifications maturely, and abide by them 

 rigidly ; to receive tenders for the work ; to require security 

 from the contractorsj" and to provide for such a vigilant 

 superintendence as may ensure the due performance of the 

 contracts. The estimate now laid before the Meeting, is 

 calculated upon this basis. It is an estimate of a sura, 

 which, in the Architects' judgment, will cover the tenders to 

 be expected at the present prices of materials and labour. 

 Its amount is Five thousand six hundred and fifty pounds ; 

 being three hundred pounds more than the funds which have 

 been as yet subscribed. 



The Subcommittee are well aware, that it is not advisable 

 to lay out upon the Building the entire Subscription, much 

 less to exceed it : they would greatly desire to have a surplus 

 of one or two thousand pounds, for fencing the three acres of 

 ground which the Crown has granted to the Society, for 

 making the road from the new entrance promised by the 

 Corporation, and for furnishing the Museum ; but they trust 

 that such a surplus may yet be obtained, without retrenching 

 from the present plan : they find, on the renewal of their 

 applications to the County for further Subscriptions, addi- 

 tional aid immediately flowing in ; and they have formed 

 a confident expectation, from the public interest which 



