Minutes of Proceedings. 259 



this direction, and an association was formed under tlie name of the 

 " National Photographic Eecord Association." It is proposed that 

 "permanent" prints of all objects of interest, especially those whieh 

 are likely to be swept away by the advance of our manufacturing and 

 commercial civilization — if I may use the expression — shall be stored 

 up in some suitable place. I attended the first meeting, when the 

 association was duly formed, as the representative of an English body, 

 but I was informed that it was not proposed to limit the movement 

 to England, and I was asked to consider myself as representing 

 Ireland, and particularly this Academy. Though we are not likely 

 to be affected in the same way by the results of a large increase 

 of population and of commercial activity, still there may be cases 

 where the " permanent " paper print may survive the object which it 

 portrays. If papyri survive, and can be more or less read after having 

 been in a position of neglect for 2000 years, should not these photo- 

 graphs be equally enduring in proper and safe keeping ? The Eoyal 

 Society of Antiquaries of Ireland have already made a considerable 

 collection of permanent photographs of our Irish antiquities which it 

 strikes me is not as well known as it deserves. 



There is reason to believe that, notwithstanding all efforts to 

 make known the readiness to receive articles of antiquarian interest 

 for the Academy Museum, and to give full value for anything of 

 intereet which may be found, this information fails to reach all those 

 who may be fortunate in their finds, and I think that we should seek 

 to spread more widely the laws and regulations about Treasure Trove. 



I would also wish that there were more of the true spirit of 

 patriotism among our collectors ; for then the last wondrous find 

 of gold ornaments in the north of Ireland would probably have 

 added to the glories of our collection, and not have found its resting- 

 place among the riches of the Antiquarian Department of our British 

 Museum. 



While in the department of Irish antiquities the Royal Irish 

 Academy holds a field which it can well call its own, in science more 

 cosmopolitan considerations much affect it. Science is now widely 

 diffused, and the workers in every line are so numerous, that naturally 

 the earliest opportunity is taken to put before the world all new facts 

 and discoveries. There is a hot rivalry in pushing forward each step 

 between individuals, institutions, communities, and countries ; also the 



