xlix 



ing a post of much greater ease and freedom of action was mainly 

 this, that the management of a museum of wide range had been the 

 dream of his life, and the occasions when he had had temporary 

 charge of museums in India, including that of the Imperial Museum 

 in Calcutta, only whetted his long cherished desire for a permanent 

 appointment of the kind. The new Director devoted himself with 

 much vigour to the great work of developing the Museum, as well as 

 the affiliated institutions of the National Library, the Botanic 

 Gardens, Glasnevin, and the School of Art. It would be impossible 

 in this place to chronicle fully the growth of the collection under the 

 Director's charge. Suffice it to say that there has been a steady 

 influx of most valuable objects to the spacious halls in Kildare Street. 

 We need only mention, for instance, two collections each absolutely 

 unique of its kind. First of all there are the Irish antiquities, 

 including the famous gold ornaments from the Royal Irish Academy, 

 while the more recent important acquisition has been due to the 

 kindness of the authorities of Trinity College, who have deposited 

 there a superb collection of weapons and implements, brought, in part 

 at least, from the South Sea Islands by Captain Cook. In the collec- 

 tion of the multitudinous objects now brought together in the Museum, 

 and in the arrangements of their display, the late Director, assisted 

 as he was by a diligent and skilful staff, took the liveliest and most 

 absorbing interest. 



Though his death was premature, yet it may be said that he lived 

 long enough to see the substantial completion of his life's task. The 

 arrangement of the new Museum will remain as a testimony to his 

 work. 



The University of Dublin conferred on him the honorary degree of 

 Doctor of Law, and by Her Majesty he was made a Companion of 

 the Bath. With most of the scientific societies of Dublin Dr. V. Ball 

 was in intimate association ; especially will he be remembered in 

 connexion with the Royal Zoological Society, of which he was the 

 assiduous Secretary for so many years, and of which the welfare was 

 so dear to him. 



In 1879, Dr. Ball married the eldest daughter of the late John 

 Stewart Moore, of Moyarget, Co. Antrim. He leaves a family of 

 four young children. For some years Dr. Ball's health had been 

 failing. Towards the middle of June serious symptoms were mani- 

 fested, and he passed away peacefully on the afternoon of June 15, at 

 his residence, 28, Waterloo Road, Dublin. 



R. S. B. 



JOHN WHITAKER HULKE was born in the year 1830, and died on 

 Tuesday, the 19th of February, 1895. The immediate cause of his 

 death was broncho-pneumonia following influenza, and apparently 



h 



