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were compelled to seek more commodious accommodation, and 

 failing to find it, resolved upon erecting a building for them- 

 selves. 



This project was decided upon early in 1829, when the 

 membership had increased from eight persons in 1821, to sixty- 

 nine in 1829. A prospectus and subscription list was issued in 

 the February of that year, bearing the names of Dr. Drummond, 

 as President, and Mr. G. C. Hyndman, as Secretary. In the 

 month of May following, a Committee was appointed to 

 conclude a bargain for the ground upon which the Museum is 

 now erected. In October, another Committee was appointed to 

 make arrangements for the proposed building, and in the 

 January following advertisements appeared for estimates. 



It is interesting to note that Mr. Thomas Jackson, one of the 

 firm of architects engaged upon the work, is still living 

 amongst us. The foundation stone was laid on 4th May, 1830, 

 by the then Marquis of Donegall, who used for the purpose the 

 silver trowel employed by him at a similar ceremony at the 

 Academical Institution some years before, and also at several 

 other public buildings. The opening of the Museum took 

 place on 1st November, 1831, some eighteen months after the 

 laying of the foundation stone ; a rate of progress which 

 compares favourably with the time occupied in the erection of 

 some of our more recent public buildings. 



At this time the membership had still further increased to 

 ninety-one, and out of a total sum of ^"2,000 required, rather 

 over ^"1,400 had been subscribed. From a circular issued on 

 1st January, 1834, it appears that at a General Meeting, held 

 on 19th September, 1833, ft was stated that the debt was ^727, 

 arrangements were made with a view of getting rid of this, and 

 at a meeting held on 19th December following, the Treasurer 

 made the announcement that the debt had been entirely wiped 

 out. 



The large room of the Museum was, however, not completely 

 finished, and in order to complete it, and to properly accom- 

 modate the attendance at the public meetings, and to provide 

 for the delivery of courses of lectures on various branches, 



