1889-90.] * 197 



Town Clerk under date 15th November, 1889, the following 

 reply : — 



"That Mr. William Gray be informed in answer to his letter of this date, that it 

 is intended to have a Museum in connection with the Library, and that a number of 

 purchases have been made, with the assistance of the authorities of South Kensington 

 Museum, who have also kindly promised a further collection on loan when the Com- 

 mittee are ready to receive them." 



So that because the Town Council has wisely yielded to a 

 long sustained pressure, and resolved to establish a Town 

 Museum, we obtain at once the advantages offered by the 

 State, namely : — We get a grant towards the purchase of 

 Works of Art, I believe a grant of ^"500, to supplement a local 

 expenditure of ^"500, giving us a permanent collection of Works 

 of Art, of the value of ^~i,ooo, and in addition a liberal loan of 

 examples of applied Art, which is to remain for six months and 

 will be renewed at the end of that ^term, thereby commencing 

 a permanent Museum capable of extension with time, and one 

 that must be free to the public. 



Already a thousand pounds worth of Works of Art have been 

 purchased and are being packed for Belfast, and a contribution 

 from South Kensington is ready to be forwarded. If we but 

 "wait a .little longer" we will have a permanent Museum 

 opened for Belfast. 



This is the direct outcome of our efforts, and a most signi- 

 ficant proof that mere spectators or amateur scientists can 

 sometimes accomplish something practical. 



Note. — It may be interesting to compare the letter from the late Edward Benn, 

 with the letter referred to above from the Town Clerk, under date 15th November, 

 1889. Mr. Eenn's letter is dated 17th August, 1873, an d referred to a movement I 

 then commenced for the promotion of a Town Museum. 



Glenravel, Ballymena, 

 17th August, 1873. 

 My Dear Sir, 



i thought to have heard from you before this about the 

 Museum. I now write to say that I will give £1,000 towards this object, and hope 

 that something will be done that will be a credit to the Town. When you have 

 secured a site let me know, and I will give my view of the matter. 



Yours faithfully, 



EDWARD BENN. 

 Mr. Gray, Mountcharles, Belfast. 



