HC Deb 13 August 1883 vol 283 cc270-1
DR. LYONS

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, If he can comply with the request of the Society for the Preservation of the Ancient Language and Literature of Ireland to allow the Ashburnham MSS. to be examined by a gentleman, whom the Society designate, and who is exceptionally well skilled in Irish Literature and Antiquities, before the final selection of the works intended to be deposited in Dublin?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDERS)

In reply to my hon. Friend, I have to state that when it was finally decided to propose to Parliament the purchase of the Stowe Collection, Sir Samuel Ferguson, who is Deputy Keeper of the Irish Public Record Office and President of the Royal Irish Academy, assisted by Mr. Hennessy, who is Todd Professor of Celtic and Editor of Irish Chronicles, conferred, under the direction of the Treasury, with Mr. Bond, of the British Museum, and these gentlemen recommended to us which manuscripts should go to the Royal Irish Academy and which to the British Museum. Their Report, about which there was no difference of opinion, has been approved, and I cannot re-open the question.

MR. O'KELLY

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to say that London has got some of our Irish MSS., and is he not aware it was clearly understood they were all to be sent to Ireland?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDERS)

No; I said nothing of the kind.

MR. O'KELLY

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if there is any person in the British Museum who knows Irish?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDERS)

The two gentlemen who have examined the manuscripts are well acquainted with the Irish language.

MR. MITCHELL HENRY

asked whether, before these manuscripts were transferred to Dublin, the right hon. Gentleman would make inquiry as to the provision for their safety? The manuscripts in the Royal Irish Academy were kept in common book-cases. The documents now in question were of an important character, and he thought they ought to be kept in fireproof cases.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDERS)

said, the Irish Board of Works had been directed to take care that proper provision was made for the cases in which the manuscripts were to be kept.

MR. GIBSON

said, that as Sir Samuel Ferguson's name had been mentioned, he assumed that that gentleman would be thoroughly satisfied with the custody of the documents?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDERS)

said, they were acting under the advice of Sir Samuel Ferguson.