39 
and value of the Gieve angoic, or silver brooch, should be in 
proportion to the rank of the wearer. 
«« And lastly, I would fain refer to the preservation of this 
valuable memorial of the ancient art of Ireland as an impor- 
tant result of the efforts made by the Academy to illustrate 
the past history of our country, and place it upon a solid basis. 
I shall not easily forget that when, in reference to the exis- 
tence ofa similar remain of ancient Irish art, I had first the 
honour to address myself to a meeting of this high Institution, 
1 had to encounter the incredulous astonishment of the illustri- 
ous Dr. Brinkley, which was implied in the following remark : 
—‘*‘ Surely, Sir, you do not mean to tell us that there exists the 
slightest evidence to prove that the Irish had any acquaintance 
with the arts of civilized life anterior to the arrival in Ireland 
of the English.’ Nor shall I forget that in the scepticism which 
this remark implied nearly all the members present very ob- 
viously participated. Those, at least, who have seen our mu- 
seum, will not make such a remark now. 
*T need scarcely say that I very deeply regret that this 
beautiful remain of art is not as yet placed in our museum, its 
proper resting-place. Such a memorial should never be ab- 
stracted from the country which produced it, and I do trust 
that to our museumit will findits way. As I have beeninformed 
by Mr. Waterhouse, a prince merchant, who is a member of 
our Academy, very shortly after the brooch had come into 
Mr. Waterhouse’s possession, offered for it a sum vastly more 
than that which the Academy has latterly appropriated annu- 
ally to the increase of its museum, in order to place it in this 
national depository ; and such noble and generous spirit was 
only such at least as I could not be surprised at on the part of 
Mr. Charles Haliday. And I have been also told that ano- 
ther distinguished member of our body, the future chief of our 
nobility, has, in a spirit worthy of his station, endeavoured to 
purchase it at any reasonable cost, with the same object in view. 
With such examples before him of generous and patriotic zeal 
