78 
first, by making as extensively known as possible the simplest 
means of making rubbings of such kind of monuments; and 
second, by employing some competent person, for a certain 
period, in visiting the o/d localities, and making such rubbings ; 
or by issuing printed instructions to the incumbents of theoutly- 
ing districts, setting forth the wants of the Academy, and the 
means of supplying them in this respect. From my own prac- 
tice Iam inclined to consider, that the old plan of heel-ball 
and cartridge paper is not the best which can be adopted for 
the process. Ihave myself found that the powdered black 
lead used for cleaning grates, &c., used with a hard leather 
rubber (an old glove stuffed with tow or hay will make an ex- 
cellent substitute), is more effectual for producing a representa- 
tion of the rough surface of stones, especially when rubbed 
upon common cap paper, such as is sold for lapping up gro- 
cer’s parcels, &c. A still simpler process has been adopted by 
Mr. O’Neill, and as it can be employed in cases where the 
black lead and leather ball are not at hand, it is worthy of 
being recorded. Mr. O’Neill simply uses a ball of grass, 
which must, however, not be wet nor too juicy, and the paper 
must not be thin or porous, as the moisture of the grass brought 
out by the friction in making the rubbings would, of course, 
rub holes in the paper. 
‘* Considering, as I do, a collection of these rubbings of 
very great value, as enabling us to correct the representations of 
such stones which have already been published, and as forming 
an unimpeachable collection of figures of the monuments them- 
selves, I hope you will use your influence with the Academy 
in undertaking the commencement ofa systematic collection 
of these rubbings. I have myself done so with the carved and 
inscribed stones of Wales to a very considerable extent, and 
have also, whenever occasion offered, made rubbings of the 
more deeply carved crosses, although my rubbings show only 
the highest portion of the sculpture, giving, of course, no idea 
of the depth of the relieyo. Still, I thus obtain a general idea 
