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bled to procure good fac-similes of objects preserved elsewhere. Formany 
(though not indeed for all) purposes, fac-semzles serve as well as originals ; 
they will perfectly indicate the form and colour of objects; the weight 
and material of the original articles may be recorded on the label attached 
to the fac-similes. It will only be in rare instances that the archeolo- 
gical student will require a more exact knowledge of the antiquities 
which he has occasion to examine. 
We shall greatly enlarge the means of study in the Museum, 
when we shall become possessed of a good collection of photographs 
and drawings illustrating objects which could not find a place on 
our tables or in our cases. A valuable donation of this kind was 
made to us during the past year by Mr. G. Du Noyer, who presented 
to us.a portfolio of above 120 accurate and well-executed drawings 
of various objects, architectural details, monuments, and inscriptions. 
It is to be hoped that others may follow the example which he has 
so liberally set, though we can seldom expect to find in one person 
the same union of archeological knowledge with artistic skill. The 
antiquary knows what to look for, but he ought to have the eye and 
the hand of the artist, enabling him to portray it in such a way as most 
perfectly sets before us what it is essential to represent. I feel pride in 
seeing some of my own sketches worked up by Mr. Du Noyer into draw- 
ings, and incorporated with this series. For the sketches themselves, as 
he received them, no merit but that of fidelity could be claimed. Without 
compromising that quality, he has superadded his masterly handling, 
and has made them not unworthy companions to his own originals. 
Weare indebted to her Majesty’s Government for a most precious collec- 
tion of antiquarian drawings made during the progress of the Ordnance 
Survey in Ireland. These drawings represent many objects which no 
longer exist—at least as they were figured. The tooth of time or the 
hand of Vandalism is constantly at work, defacing and destroying mo- 
numents which stood for centuries to attest the truth of ancient records. 
If even now, late though it be, trustworthy drawings and good photo- 
graphs were made throughout Ireland of the many interesting objects 
which have been left unfigured or only imperfectly drawn by our anti- 
quarian draughtsmen, we should preserve materials, the loss of which 
may deprive our art students and archeologists of the clue to many 
discoveries. 
I will venture to direct attention to another matter, which ought 
to be kept in view by our antiquaries. I am aware that it is not easy 
to carry my suggestion into effect, because the course which I am about 
to recommend is attended by expense. Nevertheless, I think it not 
undeserving of notice. As yet no systematic explorations have been 
carried on by antiquaries in this country in places known to have been 
the seats of power and civilization in remote times—nothing like what 
has been done in England and Wales. If careful explorations were 
made at Tara by practised antiquaries, guided by the abundant infor- 
mation and the maps which Dr. Petrie has provided us with, can we 
doubt but that the labour of their search would be repaid by curious 
