THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE. 365 could not be undertaken by private persons. The publication of the ancient laws of Ireland had recently been sanctioned by the Government, which was the more important since it was probable, had the publication been much lonffor dcfi-rred, it would have been found impossible to find anv one capable of comprehending the language in which they are written. Another object ought to be the preservation of ancient monuments. In France and Switzerland it was contrary to law to destroy ancient buildings associated with the history of the country. The Government might do well to appoint a commission to carry out that object, giving them a lociii! standi in every case, and compelling the owner of any building it was thought important to preserve, instead of pulling it down, to sell it to the commissioners. This could be done with the sanction of the legislature. The last subject he should refer to was that of Treasure Trove, whereby valuable relics that might be found became the property of the crown ; in consequence of that law, many gold ornaments and other valuable relics had been concealed or sent to the melting pot ; whilst, as he believed, a system similar to that successfully adopted in Denmark would not only preserve such precious objects from destruction, but rescue from oblivion the important evidence which too frequently had been wholly lost, owing to the concealment which customarily deprives the antiquary of all facts connected with discoveries of ancient treasure. In regard to the objects thus briefly stated, he considered that the attention of the State might advantageously be claimed ; and he hoped that at no distant time their importance would be fully recognised. The Hon. Henry T. Liddell (V.P. of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle) proposed a vote of thanks to the noble President of the Institute, for the able address with which he had opened the proceedings of the meeting, — a meeting to which the antiquaries of the North had looked forward with such agreeable anticipations. Mr. Liddell gave an interesting outline of the numerous objects in Newcastle and the adjacent counties, which claimed the attention of the antiquary. The President had alluded to the preservation of Archaeological Remains. He (Mr. Liddell) might be permitted to pay a tribute to a noble lord who lately filled the highest office in Her Majesty's Councils, and to whom, though a political opponent, he felt it was but a just acknowledgment. He alluded to Lord John Russell, who, upon his (Mr. Liddell 's) representation, addressed to the Premier at the request of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, had immediately ordered that the Lady Chapel at Tynemouth should be relieved of the combustibles and munitions of war placed there, and which in case of explosion would have destroyed that beautiful edifice. He confidently hoped that the present Government, aided as they were by the services of his Grace the Duke of Northumbei'land, would carry out many of the suggestions so admirably brought forward on the present occasion by the noble President, to whom he begged to tender a cordial expression of thanks. John* Adamson, Esq., Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries of New- castle, seconded the motion, which was carried by acclamation. John Hodgson Hinde, Esq., said that he felt especial satisfaction in being invited to propose a vote of thanks to the noble Duke, the Patron of the Institute, and also of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. His Grace's important services were well known in this locality, not only in respect to science but the interests of humanity. They had that day
