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



In the subsequent deliberations of the Committee appointed 

 at the public meeting, we find that a more extensive staff of 

 Professors was spoken of, and a Chair of Irish Language and 

 Antiquities was considered requisite, while to that of Chemistry 

 the subject of Mineralogy was added. 



A considerable sum of money was collected, and plans (which 

 still exist) were drawn up by Sir John Soane. These plans 

 were so arranged that a portion of the buildings might be 

 erected, and subsequent additions made from time to time, as 

 was found necessary. The buildings as they now exist form only 

 the central wing of the original design, the intention being to 

 complete them by an elaborate frontage extending along what 

 is now known as College Square East. 



While preparations were being made for the building, the 

 ardent enthusiasm of those whose tastes were in unison with 

 our own, exhibited itself, and suggestions were made as to the 

 advisability of obtaining temporary premises pending the 

 erection of the Institution. In May, 1809, Mr. Templeton, 

 whose fame as a naturalist reaches down to our own day, 

 brought before the Managers a paper, in which, after alluding 

 to the delay which must necessarily occur before the Institution 

 could be brought to a state of efficiency, urged them to devote 

 special attention to scientific subjects in order that that depart- 

 ment might keep pace with others. He advocated the appoint- 

 ment of a committee, in whose hands should be placed an 

 annual sum for expenditure, and that they should in the first 

 place be directed to form a Botanic Garden. To use his own 

 words — " Without this, one prominent part of our plan must 

 fail, and we can scarcely hope to gain some of the most power- 

 ful men in Ireland, without this necessary appendage to every 

 seat of learning." Secondly, he advocated the formation of a 

 Museum, which he considered would receive contributions from 

 sailors, fishermen, and others, and form the receptacle of many 

 curious objects scattered throughout the country. Lastly, he 

 suggested the formation of a Natural History Library to aid in 

 the correct naming and classification of the specimens. In the 

 September following a Committee was appointed to arrange for 



