240 



" Meanwhile, the small cabinet in the possession of the Academy 

 has been augmented by some valuable articles, from the fund of two 

 hundred pounds set apart for that purpose. Among these are a 

 gold torquis, weighing upwards of twelve ounces ; and a gold collar 

 of the most elegant form and workmanship, weighing four and a-half 

 ounces. The latter beautiful specimen of ancient art was lately dug 

 up in a bog, by a common labourer, and but for the existence of the 

 fund above mentioned, which allowed it to be secured at once for the 

 Academy, it would probably have been condemned to the crucible ; 

 the usual fate of such old ornaments as possess a high intrinsic 

 value. 



" As this fund, however, is but small, and in the present state of 

 our finances cannot be expected to be permanent, while the re- 

 sources of private subscription, to which we have so often had occa- 

 sion to resort, must be considered as now almost exhausted, the 

 Council have thought it advisable to try whether it might not be pos- 

 sible to obtain some public assistance towards carrying out an object 

 which is admitted to be one of great public interest. They have 

 therefore presented a memorial to the Lord Lieutenant, praying his 

 Excellency to recommend to her Majesty's Government the addition 

 of £100 a year to our usual grant, for the sole purpose of purchasing 

 antiquities ; this additional sum to be strictly accounted for every 

 year. Should the proposal be favourably received by the Government, 

 the Academy will be in a position to accomphsh its designs in this de- 

 partment, at a very trifling expense to the public, 



" In order that a greater number of the members of the Academy 

 may be induced to take a lively interest in its affairs, by enjoying a 

 share of its honours, the Council have thought it expedient to re- 

 commend that there should in future be an annual change in the hst 

 of Vice-Presidents, the senior Vice-President going out of office 

 after the stated meeting in March, and they hope that every future 

 President will consent to act upon this suggestion in the appointment 

 of Vice-Presidents. But as it is proposed, by this arrangement, that 

 no person should be appointed as Vice-President more than four times 

 successively, so it is not intended to recommend that any Vice-Pre- 

 sident should be displaced, who may have been appointed less than 

 four times successively. 



" Among the deaths that have occurred in our body, during the 



