53 



Mr. W. J. Knowles then read a paper on " Irish Antiquities 

 and Modern Forgeries." After giving a description of the various 

 kinds of bronze and stone implements, &c., found in Ireland, illus- 

 trating his remarks by a large collection of specimens, he explained 

 that Ireland was as rich in genuine antiquities as any country in 

 Europe. That of all the counties in Ireland, Antrim yielded the 

 best things ; and in Antrim, Cullybackey was the best locality for 

 procuring good, genuine articles. He explained that the in- 

 creased demand for Irish antiquities, and the absurdly high prices 

 paid by English collectors to any dealers, was most damaging to 

 all fair dealing, because it tempted many dishonest men to manu- 

 facture what they could not otherwise procure, and so freely was 

 the manufacturing business carried on, that large quantities of vile 

 fabrications were scattered all over the country. " Beads " were 

 readily made from the lithomarge of the trap rocks; " bronze pins " 

 were manipulated out of the common brass wire ; " fibulae " of 

 every possible design were produced from the worn-out ornaments 

 of carriage-harness, old shoe-buckles, &c. ; and recently a very 

 large supply of bronze swords, knives, daggers, &c, were made 

 from sheet brass, beaten out into the most fantastic forms ; and 

 formidable " clubs " and " war-hatchets " were made from the mica 

 slate of County Derry. Yet all these absurd fabrications were sold, 

 and brought extravagant prices ; beads realised 5 s. each, swords 

 10s. to 20s. each, and " clubs " from 10s. to 30s. ! Mr. Knowles 

 warned collectors to be on their guard, and not to encourage this 

 absurd traffic. 



A discussion followed, in which Messrs. Patterson, Gray, Wright, 

 and Hodges took part ; and after the works of " Flint Jack," ex- 

 hibited by Mr. Gray, and the " genuine " and l ' forged " antiquities 

 exhibited by Mr. Knowles were examined, the meeting separated. 



On February 12th, Rev. Edmund M'Clure read the following 

 paper on " Family Names as indicative of the distribution of Races 

 in Ireland." 



" What's in a name ? " said the great dramatist, intending to 



