Correspondence — Bombardment of Paris. xxxix 
would be immeasurable, and the cry of horror at the destruction of li- 
braries, archives, and collections of works of Art in the metropolis of 
France would never become silent, but would sound onwards with the 
advance of centuries, and at the same time would call forth as an echo 
the just complaint that our time did not employ all possible means to 
avert such a catastrophe. 
The Society of Sciences believes it to be especially the duty of such 
corporations as have made the advancement of science their object, to 
raise their voice against a proceeding which must be for ever condemned 
and branded before the forum of civilization. The Eoyal Eohemian 
Society of Science feels itself particularly obliged to point out that 
important monuments of Bohemian literature, and many manuscripts 
relating to the history of Bohemia, are contained in the public libraries 
and archives of the city of Paris, which as unique documents have an 
inestimable value for the kingdom of Bohemia, the destruction of which 
on that account would be an irreparable loss for our country and people. 
Although the Society is persuaded that the noble, humane feelings of 
your Excellency do not require an external impulse to do your 
utmost for the rescue of the literary and art treasures threatened with 
destruction in the besieged capital of Prance, still the Society believe 
that it fulfils a duty, strictly enjoined upon it in the interest of science 
and humanity, in associating itself with the petition having this object 
in view, laid before your Excellency by his highness the Curator of the 
Ossolinski Institute : — That the Imperial Eoyal Government, in union 
with the other neutral powers, might— appealing to the Geneva Con- 
vention as an example — bring about such diplomatic steps as would 
serve to avert the threatened destructive catastrophe from the scientific 
and art institutions in the metropolis of France. 
In the name of the Eoyal Bohemian Society of Sciences, 
''De. Eean^z Palackt, President. 
Dk. Joh. Ee. Wocel, General Secretary.''^ 
The Royal Archceological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland. 
16, New Buklington-steeet, "W., 
2Uh Novemher, 1870. 
SiE, — I am desired by the Council of the Institute to inform you 
that I took an early opportunity of directing their attention to the 
memorial lately adopted by the Eoyal Irish Academy to Her Majesty's 
Government in reference to the danger threatening the collections in 
Paris. 
The Council of the Institute enter fully into the apprehensions 
entertained by the Academy, and sympathize entirely with their anxiety 
to protect the valuable collections in Paris by all the means in their 
power. 
