251 



of the most characteristic specimens in the Museum of the 

 Academy. A catalogue had been forwarded of the various 

 specimens. He also observed that, in this kindly interchange, 

 the Academy was doubtless the gainer; and he felt sure the 

 members would agree with him in the propriety of passing a 

 vote of thanks, on the part of the Royal Irish Academy, to 

 the Society of Northern Antiquaries. 



Dr. Petrie seconded the motion for a vote of thanks, and 

 suggested the propriety of a similar vote to the King of Den- 

 mark, who was a zealous patron of antiquarian science in his 

 own dominions, and must have concurred in the donation of 

 the Northern Society. Dr. Petrie observed, that some of the 

 articles sent were similar to specimens in the possession of 

 the Academy; but there were many others, particularly among 

 the stone weapons, to which nothing similar had yet been 

 found in Ireland. The whole of this splendid present had 

 been got together in a most kindly spirit towards the Aca- 

 demy. The Society of Northern Antiquaries went through 

 their collection with great care, in order to select those arti- 

 cles which had reference to Ireland, and were likely to throw 

 most light upon her ancient history. Some of the bronze 

 swords which were contained in the present collection had the 

 original bronze handles, in which the specimens found in 

 Ireland were generally deficient; at least, he was only aware 

 of three specimens having the original handles that had been 

 found here; one of these was in his own collection, one belonged 

 to the Academy, and the third was in the Museum belonging to 

 the Royal Dublin Society. The handles in question were 

 ornamented, and, from their rarity, were extremely interesting. 

 When Dr. Petrie became a member of this Academy, he ob- 

 served in one of the small rooms a number of valuable stone 

 antiquities ; and one of the first things he drew the attention 

 of the Council to was the expediency of having them brought 

 down stairs, and deposited in a place of security. The simi- 



VOL. IV. X 



