382 SPRING MKETING. 



and if the hieroglyphics on the two fine mummy- cases in the 

 Truro Museum be studied, the mummy taken from them, now- 

 lying under glass, may be found to be someone of note. It is 

 desirable that our Institution should ascertain at least the name 

 and rank of the deceased. The late Admiral Tucker, of 

 Trematon, presented us with the mummy and its cases, and in 

 January of this jear the curious contents of his Castle and its 

 museum were sold by auction. Amongst other things disposed 

 of was the mummy-cloth belonging to this body. On making 

 enquiries, with the view of obtaining it for deposit with the cases 

 at Truro, I failed to trace it, but was informed, by one who had 

 seen it, that it bore no marks which would have assisted in the 

 identification. 



The large Portrait of Anthony Payne, of Stratton, the 

 Cornish Griant, painted by Sir Godfrey Kneller and described 

 by Hawker, was also included in the Trematon sale. It would 

 be a matter for regret if it were removed from the county. Por 

 the present, I am informed, it* will remain at the Castle. 



Besides the Mummy, another object of rather ghastly 

 character, in our Museum, is of questionable identity if judged 

 merely bv its appearance, which resembles a couple of oak-galls 

 hollowed out to receive a ring and a coin which lie within. The 

 description of this small object is plain as far as statement is 

 concerned. In the manuscript catalogue f of the Laregan 

 collection (from which it was taken) Mr. Borlase thus described 

 the object for his own information : — 



" N". 196. Two balls made of the ashes of the Queen of Siam, after her inciner- 

 ation, and given to Sir John Bowring, who gave them to me. One 

 contains a coin, the other a ring." 



But it is time that I should allude to the condition of the 

 Eoyal Institution itself. We regret the loss of several valued 

 members who have died since last spring. Their names are 

 familiar to you, and they gave great help to our Society. 



Of our surviving members many have exerted themselves to 

 promote the welfare of the Institution. Gifts have been made 



* It has been purchased since by Mr. Robert Harvey and has been, by him, 

 presented to our Institution, 

 f In R. I. of C. Library. 



