II. 



An Address to the Museums' Association on the 



Museums of Dublin/ 



ON behalf of those who, some months ago, formed themselves into 

 a Reception Committee in order to make arrangements for this 

 visit of the Museums' Association to Dublin, I have much pleasure in 

 offering you a hearty welcome. Our only cause of regret is that more 

 of the members have not found it possible to visit us on this occasion. 

 Indeed it has been a great disappointment to those who have 

 laboured to make this meeting a success to have received letters 

 of apology from several whose urgent engagements have prevented 

 them from being present with us to-night. 



For the honour you have done me by electing me as your 

 President for this year, I beg to offer you my sincere and grateful 

 thanks. 



The addresses of several of my predecessors have dealt with 

 the general principles which should govern the administration of 

 Museums ; on the present occasion I propose to describe what may 

 be referred to as the evolution of a Museum which has a very wide 

 and comprehensive range — a wider range, perhaps, than any other 

 Museum, putting the British Museum out of the question as being 

 beyond comparison, and scarcely excepting even the great National 

 Museum of America at Washington ; for although our affiliated Museum 

 in Edinburgh is in some respects more extensive, it does not include 

 within its walls an archaeological collection similar to ours. 



In many cities, notably in Berlin, the process of decentralisation 

 or specialisation of Museums has been carried to a considerable 

 extent ; and, while there may be much to be said in favour of 

 specialisation where there are extensive resources to draw upon, 

 on the other hand where this is not the case it cannot be denied that 

 there are certain advantages to be obtained from centralisation. 



In a comprehensive Museum no one section is wholly dependent 

 on a single officer and a small staff, while all may derive advantages 

 from co-operation. Uniformity and continuity of method are secured, 



^This address was delivered on the 26th June by Professor V. Ball, C.B., 

 LL.D., F.R.S. 



