288 



the Dawson Collection, has also been pleased to present to the 

 Academy a valuable Aision of gold, which was recently found in 

 the county of Roscommon, and of which His Excellency became the 

 purchaser, for the express purpose of placing it in our Museum. Mr. 

 H. J. Monck Mason also, in addition to his subscription, presented a 

 very beautiful gold Fibula, of considerable weight and value. 



" It should be distinctly understood, that the subscriptions re- 

 ceived have enabled the Committee to pay all the expenses attendant 

 upon these transactions, without any charge whatsoever to the funds 

 of the Academy. 



" The Academy, as a body, have had nothing whatsoever to do 

 with the purchase of the Museum, and there will be found among 

 the subscribers very many names of gentlemen who are not mem- 

 bers of, or in any way connected with our Society. The Museum, 

 therefore, strictly speaking, is the property of the subscribers, and 

 is by them presented to the Academy, to be kept by us in trust, for 

 the benefit of the public. The Academy, as a Corporation, have 

 contributed nothing to the purchase, except so far as their consent- 

 ing to take the charge of so valuable a gift, and to provide a room 

 for its exhibition, may be considered, as it doubtless is, a most im- 

 portant contribution to the great end which the subscribers have 

 had in view. 



" The accounts of the Committee have been audited by Messrs. 

 Callwell and Hutton ; they are in the hands of Mr. Clibborn, and 

 are open, of course, to the inspection of any of the contributors. 



" It may be well now to say a few words on the value and con- 

 tents of the Museum of which we are thus become the guardians. 



" The Museum contains no less than ninety -seven ornaments of 

 solid gold, whose total weight amounts to 98 oz. 14-^dwt It pos- 

 sesses also 252 articles of piire silver, and 1674 bronzes and other 

 antiqiies, composed of pottery, amber, glass, and the baser metals. 



" This enumeration does not include the coins and medals, which 

 are of singular interest and value, and of which a catalogue, in the 

 handwriting of Dean Dawson, is now on the table. 



" To specify the various articles of value and interest more par- 

 ticularly, ao far at least as to give any detailed account of them, 

 would be too great a trespass on your time, even if I could feel my- 



