REPOllT. 
eslablislimenl, induced the Council to consider it as their 
duty, to provide materials for a descriptive publication. 
In the mean time, the Society of Antiquaries, unapprised 
of this design, requested permission to make drawings with 
the same view ; and the Council, considering the great advan¬ 
tages enjoyed by a Metropolitan Institution, for executing 
such a work, and only desirous that it should be published 
in the most perfect manner, determined not only to give the 
permission requested, but to add to it the assistance which 
was necessary to render the publication complete. They have 
therefore communicated the various drawings which have 
been made at the Society’s expense; and propose hereafter 
to resume the excavation, and investigate what still remains 
to be ascertained. 
It was thought reasonable, however, that participating thus 
largely in the expense, the Society should have a share in 
the profits to be derived from the undertaking : and it has 
therefore been agreed, that two hundred copies of the work 
shall be placed at the disposal of the Council. These copies 
will be offered to the members of the Society who may 
desire to subscribe for them, and the fund arising from 
this source, will be employed in defraying the expenses of 
excavating the remaining foundations, and repairing the 
ruins of the Abbey. 
The Society is now entrusted, by the gracious confidence 
of the Crown, with the conservation of these picturesque, but 
shattered Remains ; and the Council have felt it incumbent 
