( ix ) 



of Ireland has yet to be written as well as the dictionary of its ancient 

 language, and it is only by the avoidance of all unfounded speculation, 

 and by following up a scientific method in a careful spirit, that materials 

 for these works can ever be accumulated. 



Few things are more desirable for the Irish people than that 

 truth in its history be firmly established, as a means of removing tradi- 

 tional errors and enmities on their part, and those prejudices in the 

 mind of England, which have, unhappily, so long delayed the true 

 union of the countries. 



The first step in the study of our ancient monuments should 

 be the faithful representation of them, now rendered possible by 

 photography and casts ; the collecting, comparison, and classi- 

 fication of each and all such facts, each faithfully represented ob- 

 ject being a fact, and the circulation of such representations among 

 all our fellow-labourers in the same field at home and abroad. By this 

 means we can alone reap the advantages sure to follow, from the con- 

 centration of many minds upon the same point, and obtain broad and 

 useful discussion of problems suggested by such monuments. Then let 

 all records, traditions, and collateral facts be patiently searched out and 

 brought side by side with these as it were in silence, no theory drawn, 

 no premature conclusion ; let such stand, and in time, the results will, 

 by one of the great properties of truth, crystallize spontaneously into a 

 system and a law. 



There are in Ireland upwards of a hundred known Ogham legends. 

 To place these in an authentic form at the disposal of philological scholars 

 at home and abroad should be our first step. This is now rendered 

 feasible by the facilities afi'orded us by Dr. Ferguson's labours. In 

 his donation to the Academy of a large collection of paper moulds of 

 inscribed stones, we have the nucleus of a paper cast inscriptional 

 museum. Our first step should be to have these casts photographed, 

 and then to circulate photographs from them among those scholars who 

 by their knowledge of our ancient language have already proved them- 

 selves to be fully capable of aiding in our researches. 



Haughton, and some other leading college men were determined to press the ap- 

 pointment of dear Petrie, He added, it must he either next month or never. Sad 

 it is that the alternative can never arise, and that the father of the Academy can 

 never assume the government of his household." 



H. L A., MINUTES, SESSION 1874-I875. b. 



