ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY. 
121 
The first Part is already published, and it has been resolved to devote 
the proceeds of the sale of that Part to the publication of a second, in the 
preparation of which much progress has been made. As there are no 
other funds available for that purpose, it now rests mainly with the 
members of the Academy to decide whether this important work shall 
be completed, or whether it shall be allowed to remain imperfect. 
The Council have to observe that, prior to March, 1857, the Aca¬ 
demy had a very large and valuable collection of Antiquities, perhaps 
the largest national collection in Europe except that in Copenhagen; 
but we had no classified or arranged Museum; neither were the archi¬ 
tectural details of the building at all adequate to the preservation or 
display of our national treasures. 
In this position, and in order to meet the circumstances of the visit 
of the British Association to Dublin, Mr. Wilde undertook the arrange¬ 
ment, classification, and cataloguing of the Museum gratuitously, and 
with the result the Academy is acquainted. The Board of Works ex¬ 
pended a sum of about £400 in completing the glass-cases, improving 
the roof so as to admit sufficient light, making an additional fire -proof 
safe, painting and decorating the Museum. The Board of Works also 
built (at the top of the house) a photographic gallery, as originally pro¬ 
posed some years ago. 
The Collection, independent of gold and silver ornaments, coins, 
medals, and ecclesiastical antiquities, has been arranged, and a Catalogue 
of about 2800 articles has been published; the remaining articles are 
now in process of being catalogued, and Mr. Wilde hopes to have that 
part completed and made ready for the press during the summer vacation. 
Eor the concluding part of the Catalogue 140 illustrations have been 
drawn on wood, and 102 engraved and paid for. The MS. Catalogue 
is now in process of completion, irrespective of any cost to the Academy, 
out of the price of Part I., which it is expected will also pay for the 
completion of the illustrations, provided the members who have not al¬ 
ready subscribed will do so. Thus, in process of time, should the Aca¬ 
demy be in funds, and inclined to complete the history of the collection, 
it will only have to pay for the printing and paper. 
During the past year we have lost twelve members by death :— 
Robert Ball, LL.D.; elected 23rd February, 1834. 
Admiral Sir Francis Beaueort; elected 22nd October, 1832. 
Thomas Clarke, Esq.; elected 30th November, 1853. 
Edmund Davy, Esq., F.R. S.; elected 22nd October, 1827. 
Charles Doyne, Esq.; elected 26th May, 1834. 
Edmund Getty, Esq.; elected 13th January, 1845. 
William T. Lloyd, Esq.; elected 13th January, 1840. 
Nicholas P. O’Gorman, Esq.; elected 10th February, 1845. 
Michael M. O’Grady, M.D.; elected 23rd May, 1846. 
Miles John O’Reilly, Esq.; elected 25th February, 1833. 
Thomas Weaver, Esq., F.R. S.; elected 29th January, 1816. 
Thomas Wilson, Esq.;, elected 12th April, 1841. 
