COUNCIL FOR 1844 . 
11 
apartment tlie Council Iiave appropriated to the architectural 
fragments of the Ahbej, and other antiquarian specimens, for 
which it is well fitted from its character and size. 
The business incident to the reception of the Association 
being concluded, the Council proceeded to carry into execution 
a wish known to have been expressed by that great benefactor 
of the Society, the late Dr. Beckwith, by erecting a distinct 
dwelling house for the Sub-curator. This long-contemplated 
improvement has been so successfully executed, that while the 
desired accommodation has been obtained at a moderate cost, 
the style of the building, harmonizing with the architecture 
of the adjoining ancient palace, will, it is hoped, be considered 
as adding an appropriate einbellishment to the site. 
The Grounds attached to the JMuseum, even in their former 
limited extent, have been acknowledged by all persons of com¬ 
petent taste, to possess almost unrivalled capabilities for 
picturesque beauty. But when called upon by a generally 
expressed wish, to add to the public enjoyment by the en¬ 
largement of the Gardens, the Council felt that it Vvould 
require the skill of an accomplished artist to surmount the 
peculiar difficulties presented by the site, so as to produce the 
most pleasing effects by the harmony or contrast of its varied 
architectural features, and to open out the most interesting 
views of more distant objects, while excluding as much as 
possible such as are unsightly or incongruous. 
The Council, therefore, having first removed the principal 
impediments to the enlargement of the ^Museum Gardens by an 
agreement with the Commissioners of the Ouse Navigation, 
alike beneficial to the Society and the public; and having 
taken into their hands all the Society's demesne, excepting 
the small portion of it which is let on long leases, had recourse 
to the professional aid of a gentleman of high reputation in 
the art of Landscape Gardening, to assist them in the task of 
laying out the grounds in such a manner as to satisfy all the 
requirements of a refined taste ; and they have the gratifica- 
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