DESCRIPTION 



OF A 



RICH AND ANCIENT BOX, 



CONTAINING 



A LATIN COPY OF THE GOSPELS, 



WHICH WAS FOUND ON A MOUNTAIN IN THE COUNTY OF TIPPERARY, 

 AND IS NOW IN THE POSSESSION OF 



H. MONCK MASON, ESQ. L. L. D. M. R. I. A. 



Read, May 24th, 1819. 



The rich and curious relic which is here presented to the Aca- 

 demy was found, about thirty years past, by some persons who were 

 looking for nests in the caverns, among the rocks of the Devil's Bit 

 Mountain, in the county of Tipperary. They found it carefully con- 

 cealed, and in a state of perfect preservation : they were induced, by 

 their hopes of profit, to tear off the silver plate which surrounded 

 the upper side, and to pick out some of the lapis lazuli, with which 

 it was studded; the representation of the Passion saved the other 



