96 [Proc. B.N.F.C, 



the British Association, and to the part which our Club was 

 privileged to take in the endeavour to render that visit a successful 

 one. That such it was is, I believe, universally admitted, with 

 perhaps the painful drawback to which I have felt it necessary to 

 advert at the opening of this address. I cannot but notice, with 

 unmingled satisfaction, the production of the Guide Book, 

 undertaken by members of our body, chiefly in anticipation of the 

 visit to our town by so many distinguished strangers on that 

 occasion. That volume, as possibly all now present are aware, 

 was compiled, illustrated, printed, and published, within the space 

 of three months. That it fully answered the end contemplated 

 was attested by the members of the Association into whose hands 

 it came, as well as by others ; and my own hope and expectation 

 are that in some future edition it may reflect even greater credit on 

 its compilers. In this brief notice of its production and success it 

 would be unpardonable were I to omit special reference to the 

 share of the labour bestowed on its composition by our Hon. 

 Secretaries, Messrs. Gray and Robinson. To the artistic skill of 

 the former is due the execution of the characteristic lithographic 

 illustrations of the volume; and to the unwearied labour of the 

 latter is mainly due its successful passage through the press. 



While referring thus to our last year's proceedings, I may be 

 permitted also to notice the exhibition of Irish antiquities which* 

 during the meeting of the British Association, was undertaken 

 by our Club, in conjunction with the Royal Historical and 

 Archaeological Association of Ireland. It is not too much to say 

 that the collection thus brought together, as indeed was universally 

 acknowledged, contributed in no small degree to the instruction 

 and gratification of the members of the Association and others who 

 visited it during the week of its exhibition. The Minor Hall, 

 where the exhibition took place, was crowded by visitors on the 

 two nights when conversaziones were held in the Ulster Hall. 

 Many distinguished strangers were present on those occasions, and 

 expressed themselves in very flattering terms, indeed, as to the 



