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upon a scale that afforded a design of larger size than the die which was intended to be engraved. They were plotted into squares of equal measurement, and so transferred with accuracy to the metallic surface, similar to the well-known method adopted by painters. Thus the perfect medal was finished from a well-considered model, though the artist did not carry out in all instances his primary ideas after a servile manner, for I find some of his medals to differ in detail from the wax design, and the alterations were usually improvements as well.

Mossop was nominated secretary to the Royal Hibernian Academy when it was founded, and held office during his lifetime. He died in 1827, after an attack of mental aberration-another in the long list of those artists whose minds have suffered from incessant brain work and the anxieties inseparable from the pursuit of their profession when wanting the recompense of adequate patronage.

About seven years before his death he contemplated preparing a series of forty medals to represent the portraits of distinguished Irishmen. He completed the first medal of the set, that of Henry Grattan, and worked out almost perfectly four others, namely, Ussher, Charlemont, Swift, and Sheridan; but the inscriptions with their names were not added, and the dies remained for several years without being hardened. At length they passed into the possession of Mr. J. Woodhouse, who annealed them with complete success, the designs having by good fortune remained intact and in perfect condition since they left the hands of Mossop. Another medal, it is stated, was modelled by him, which I have seen no impression of, namely, "Hercules slaying the Hydra." The heads of the hydra in this design were reported to represent those of three prominent political agitators in Dublin. The medal he made for the Rifle Brigade is described for the first time from an unique example in my possession.

Mossop left some valuable designs cast in plaster of Paris. Mr. Woodhouse purchased them, and kindly gave me accurate impressions of all the artist's works. Certain of these casts reproduce the models he prepared for his Irish portrait medals: one represents the original design for his prize medal of Vulcan, and a few have no relation to any of his completed dies. He was employed like his father in preparing the seals of different corporate bodies and public boards, and some of the designs he prepared for this purpose are works of artistic value, and well executed; but no list of these seals has yet appeared. The following imperfect record of such as have fallen under my own observation is subjoined:-

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, WATERFORD.- Hibernia, standing erect, with shield and rudder. This is a carefully finished work of oval form, about 1½ inche in height. The wax model, which is different in some of its accessories from the finished seal, is 3½ inches high; it is composed of brown-coloured wax, worked on a piece of common slate. This model is in my possession.

CORK INSTITUTION, MDCCCVII.- A large-sized seal, nearly two inches in diameter. The design represents Hibernia helmetted, standing erect, and holding a wreath, surrounded by various emblems of art and manufactures. The model which I have differs in certain slight details from the seal itself.

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COUNTY OF SLIGO INFIRMARY, 1813.- Having a view of the building.

IRISH MEDICAL OFFICE.- With harp and crown.

IRISH TREASURY AND SUB-TREASURERS, Seals.

WATERFORD HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS.

DERRY CORPORATION SEAL.

STRABANE CORPORATION.- "Strabanienses Incorporati, 20th Sept., 1612." The arms are "A naked man rowing a coracle, and three heraldic castles."

77TH REGIMENT.- This seal resembles the regimental medal which Mossop struck.

RICHMOND LUNATIC ASYLUM.- An elevation of the building, and above it, the sun, "Post Tenebras Lux." The seal measures two inches in diameter.

Mr. LA TOUCHE.- A portrait in an oval seal, similar to the portrait on Mr. La Touche's medal.

EPISCOPAL SEAL, WITH ARMS.- "Jacobus Episcopus Ardaghadensis."

EPISCOPAL SEAL, WITH ARMS.- "Petrus Waldron D. G. Episcopus Alladensis."

PRUSSIAN CONSULATE.

UNITED STATES CONSULATE.

COMMANDING OFFICER OF ROYAL ARTILLERY IN IRELAND.

Mr. J. Woodhouse has impressions of almost all these seals in wax.

THE SEAL OF THE BENCHERS OF KING'S INNS was, I believe, the work of the elder Mossop. It bears "Hen. Oct. R. Statuit, 1542. Art. Chichester, M. C., Restituit, 1607." In the centre is a shield, with open book, inscribed, "Nolumus Mutari," and above, "1792." On a ribbon, "Iohan. Bar. Fitzgibbon. Redintegravit," and the words, "Mossop FECIT." This fine seal measures 2½ inches in diameter. He appears also to have executed;-

THE SEAL OF THE REVENUE LYING-IN-HOSPITAL.- This represents three young children and a female, who nurses them, seated on raised steps. "Nosocomium Puerperarum, Dubliniensis, MDCCLVII."

The following steel dies of Mr. Mossop, jun., are preserved in the Museum of the Royal Irish Academy :-

Obverse and reverse dies of the small medals of William III.

Obverse and reverse dies of Richard Wogan Talbot's medal.

Obverse and reverse dies of George IV.'s medal, the reverse representing the royal arms. Also a "hubb" for the head of George IV.

Obverse and reverse of George III.'s coronation medal.

Obverse of the heads of the "Three Georges." Commemorating the centenary of the House of Hanover.

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MEDAL OF THE FRIENDLY BROTHERS OF SAINT PATRICK.- So far back as 1762, a medal of this Society is described, made in gold -"Impressed with St. Patrick's Cross fixed in a heart, over which is a crown, the whole being set round with an emblematic knot, embellished with trefoil or shamrouge leaves, and this motto, FIDELIS ET CONSTANS, implying fidelity and constancy in religion, loyalty, and friendship. On the reverse shall be impressed the arms of the order, namely, a group of hearts in fesse, or, (as an emblem of the strict union of the members of the order) charged with a celestial crown of the same in chief in a field vert (the reward of their benevolence and fidelity). Round the shield an endless knot set with shamrouge leaves, the mantling proper, and two emblematic dolphins, their faces downwards, argent, a label coming from their mouths, with this motto, QUIS SEPARABIT (and above a hound W. F.). This medal shall be worn, pendant to a green ribbon, by all the members, and on the ribbon of the 'Perfect' Friendly Brothers the cross is blazoned in embroidery (and ornamented with a celestial crown), which no regular brother shall at any time dare to wear."

Mossop's medal corresponds with this description; it is struck in gold and bronze gilt. Size, 1·25. After his death it was re-engraved by his son, and several other Dublin medallists; but I have never seen one of the earlier medals such as described above.

This club appears to have originated soon after the Revolution of 1688 amongst the disbanded troops of William III., who, feeling a necessity of co-operating for mutual assistance, instituted a common bond of union, consisting of several lodges, or "knots," in the principal towns of Ireland, and also in Bath, Cheltenham, Liverpool, and London. Several of these continue to flourish. One of their ostensible designs was the suppression of duelling, and the arranging of misunderstandings amongst the brethren. This good feeling was promoted by social intercourse. They were prominent in benevolent schemes, and frequently discharged the debts of poor prisoners confined in gaol. The association still prospers as a Friendly Club, in Stephen's-green, in this city, and have their special pew in St. Patrick's Cathedral, where they attend service on the seventeenth of March, and they are contributors to the funds of the cathedral. I have reason to believe Dean Swift was a member of this body; at all events, its roll of membership shows a long succession of celebrated names.

There is a rare allegorical engraving of this association, of which there is a copy in my possession, where the medal is represented. So far as can be ascertained, it was engraved by William Paulett Carey, publisher of the National Evening Star Newspaper, but has no artist's name.

TICKET MEDALS OF THE PRIVATE THEATRE, 1796.- Three figures representing tragedy, comedy, and lyric art, holding a ribbon, inscribed, DESCRIBO MORES HOMINVM, and marked in exergue, MOSSOP. Reverse.- Blank, with a name engraved, Patt. Marsh Esq.

TICKET MEDALS OF THE PRIVATE THEATRE, 1796.- The figures differently and more gracefully disposed, marked MOSSOP in field to right. Reverse.- Inscribed, PRIVATE THEATRE, and engraved in centre, No. 1, Earl Farnham. Size, 1·4. Of the first medal I possess a bronze impression, and of the second silver.

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In 1792 several of the nobility fitted up a private theatre, under Earl Westmeath and Fred. E. Jones, for amateur performances. Each subscriber was allowed two silver tickets, and could, if qualified, perform. (Gold tickets were presented to the Marchioness of Camden, having her cypher, J C, under a coronet.) It is not certain when these tickets were first made; the earlier die appears to have been struck some years before the more finished medal; one only is described in the list by Mossop's son, with the date 1796. In Gilbert's History of Dublin, he states that Jones opened Crow-street theatre in 1798; and having suffered much from the base coin then in circulation, devised an issue of silver tokens, to be received and paid for at the theatre, probably about 1803 - from which idea Earl Hardwicke was led to originate the bank tokens. I have failed to trace these pieces, but possess one made for Crow-street Theatre in the year 1790, memorable as being the year when a succession of riots were organized against its manager, Daly.

MEDAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING RELIGION AND VIRTUE.- Two draped female figures, bearing a cross and cup, conducted by a winged angel with Spear, are seen advancing to a shrine on an eminence, behind which the sun is rising. The inscription is RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTETH A NATION. In the exergue, MOSSOP F. Reverse.- Inscribed, ASSOCIATION FOR RELIGION AND VIRTUE INST OCT 9 1792. And around this, ACQUAINT THYSELF WITH GOD & BE AT PEACE Size, 1·6. Struck in silver and bronze.

This society was founded by Mr. Watson of Capel-street, and two clerical friends, to promote religion and morality. They instituted catechetical examination-for which these medals were given as prizes- obtained the suppression of Sunday evening promenades at the Rotundo, distributed bibles, checked the sale of immoral books, opposed with success the lottery system, and were so far in advance of their age, that they succeeded in stopping the Sunday trade in whiskey: in a word, inaugurated a vast change for the better in society. They became incorporated by Act of Parliament in 1800, and still continue their benevolent labours.

The Examinations of this Society were held at the Parochial Schools, and medals and bibles distributed for good answering in the Church Catechism.

DR. BARRET'S SCHOOL MEDAL.- A globe, lyre, and books, marked HOMER, &c. Inscription, HIC SVNT PRŒMIA LAVDI. On Reverse, HOC PRŒMIVM MERITVS AC CONSECVTVS EST HABITA IN SCHOLA REV JOHANNIS BARRETT DVBLINII A.D.- . Size, 2·6. Struck in bronze, and probably silver.

Dr. Barrett, who was a Catholic priest, died in 1798, with symptoms of mental disease; but his school appears to have continued, for Jones engraved a medal inscribed, HOC PRŒMIVM MERITVS AC CONSECVTVS EST EXAMINATIONE HABITA IN ACADEMIA DD BARRETT AC BERNE DVBLINII AD -

TYRONE REGIMENT.- FOR SOLDIERY MERIT, and outside a wreath, ROYAL TYRONE REGIMENT. Reverse.- A harp and royal crown, GOD SAVE THE KING. Size, 1·6. Struck in bronze and silver.

This medal has not Mossop's name. Mr. Woodhouse possesses the dies, which were evidently made in haste, the stars on the harp being double struck; and it also became cracked soon after completion. The