A Historical Trial: The Limavady Gold Ornaments Case. 51 



exhibited at a meeting of the Society of Antiquaries of London, in 

 January, 1897, when a paper was read about them, and how the 

 British Museum subsequently purchased them for the sum of 

 ^600. The Royal Irish Academy took action, claiming that all 

 such articles should be deposited in the national collection, and 

 five years of agitation ensued. The Government agreed to have 

 the question thrashed out in a court of law, and ultimately the 

 action was brought in the name of the Attorney-General on 

 behalf of his Majesty the King, the trial taking place before Mr. 

 Justice Farwell in June of last year. 



The evidence for the Crown and for the defence was fully dealt 

 with, and some of the most interesting extracts therefrom were 

 read by the lecturer. 



The questions opened up by that portion of the defence which 

 urged that the articles constituted a votive offering made to a deity 

 at a time when the site was still below the sea, were extremely 

 varied and interesting. Witnesses were examined as to the customs 

 pertaining to votive offerings at all times and in all countries, and 

 a court of law heard quotations from Herodotus, Strabo, and 

 Tacitus, and particulars relative to votive offerings found in Danish 

 bogs, or made at the present day in the Malay Peninsula. The 

 theory of votive offerings was also dealt with by the lecturer. 



The geological evidence was also interesting. The fluctuations 

 of level of our coasts since the glacial period were fully dealt 

 with, and descriptions given of the post-glacial series at Belfast, 

 Larne, and elsewhere. The evidence of the age of these move- 

 ments was argued out, in the light of contemporary human remains. 



The result of the trial was that the Judge finally made a 

 declaration that the articles were treasure-trove, belonging to his 

 Majesty by virtue of the Prerogative Royal, and accordingly 

 ordered delivery of them. The final scene in connection with 

 the matter was enacted in the rooms of the Royal Irish Academy 

 at' their first meeting this session, when the Academy formally 

 received the articles, and they were now in the National Museum 

 in Dublin. 



