100 Royal Zoological Society of Ireland 



the general arrangement and planting of the grounds, in 

 the keeping up of the stock of animals, or in various 

 ingenious methods which he originated for the better 

 display of the animals. We allude now more particularly 

 to the arrangements of the Fish tanks, one of the latest 

 attractions of the Gardens, and which have been con- 

 siderably improved by him. He was also ever a strenuous 

 advocate for the cheap admission of the public, and took 

 particular delight in witnessing the ordinary conduct of 

 the crowds of visitors from among the working classes 

 admitted on Sunday afternoons at the penny entrance 

 money. Within the last two years this cheap entrance 

 has been further extended to the evenings of week- 

 days during the summer months, and has been found to 

 answer the purpose of its benevolent originator. Up to 

 the last week of his life the Gardens had the benefit of 

 his supervision, and from his sick bed he dictated a last 

 message to the Council. To this Society the loss of a 

 Secretary so eminently endowed by nature, and so un- 

 tiring in the discharge of his duty, is indeed great; and 

 your Council feel that in having recommended to you to 

 contribute donations towards a testimonial to his memory 

 they have only discharged a public duty. We owe 

 such men debts that no tribute of this kind can 

 adequately repay, but this consideration should not 

 prevent us from doing all in our power to show our 

 appreciation of a character so excellent, and oursympathy 

 with a family deprived of its head at the moment when 

 his care was most needed. A circular letter recom- 

 mending such testimonial, has been addressed to the 

 members of the Society, and the fund is in course of 

 being collected. The following is a copy of the letter : — 



" Royal Zoological Gardens, 



" Phoenix Park, Dublin. 



" Sir, — At the first Meeting of the Council of the 

 Royal Zoological Society of Ireland, held after the death 

 of their deeply lamented secretary, the late Dr. Ball, it 

 was unanimously resolved that some testimonial should 

 mark their sense of his services and their respect for his 

 memory. This resolution, they feel assured, will be re- 

 sponded to by every member of the Society ; all will 

 acknowledge the loss which science and education have 





