"The Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, "14, Grafton Street, Bond Street, "London, 20th December, 1832. "Mr. GRAVES C. HAUGHTON, Secretary to the Royal Asiatic Society, presents his compliments to Sir Edward Thomason, and would feel obliged if Sir Edward could inform him whether the tusk in which the ball was found was taken from an African or an Indian elephant, as the ball has very much the appearance of the matchlock balls used in India, and it would be curious to ascertain that fact, and any others connected with it, if possible. "In the Museum of the East India Company is a specimen somewhat resembling that presented by Sir Edward Thomason to the Royal Asiatic Society, but in which the ball is oblong instead of round." "Dear Sir, 66 Finlagan, Londonderry, Ireland, Your highly interesting letter and enclosure of the 29th September last, reached me through my relation, the Dean of Down, after considerable delay on his part, and I have now to return you my most sincere thanks for the communication. your "I have to congratulate you on the completion of magnificent work of the medals; the gratifying and successful result of your presents to foreign sovereigns; and, above all, on the sublime prospect held out of many converts to Christianity by means of those beautiful illustrations of the Holy Scriptures, which you have accomplished, doubtless, at great expense and trouble. 1832. 1832. "In considering the purpose, the means, and the end, of such a splendid production of British art, it must be acknowledged, in every Christian country, a work of inestimable utility. As to the purpose, it serves to promote the glory of God, by the series of remarkable facts leading to the most stupendous event that ever happened— the atonement of the Son of God, whereby the redemption of this world was effected, and finished by His glorious Ascension into heaven, where, having sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high, He saves, to the uttermost, all them that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.' "Then, as to the means used; they obviously do benefit to many by giving employment, and diffusing Christian knowledge among them. Lastly, as to the end, it is, I trust, and will be, attended with incalculable profit to yourself as the projector, as well as with important advantages to all who are disposed to avail themselves of a work so admirably calculated to illustrate the ways of God towards man, in accordance with the sacred revelation which He has made of His providential scheme of deliverance for the fallen race of Adam. "These Scriptural Medals will go forth to the world, conveying along with them the renown of British art, unrivalled in this splendid specimen; and the work itself, in the hands of true Christians, will allure the mind to serious investigation, in obedience to that all important and universal command of the Redeemer, viz., Search the Scriptures; these are they which testify of me.' "As I take for granted you wish as much publicity as possible for the work, I can have it noticed in the public journals of this country, under the head of Fine Arts; 1832. or, in case you desire to have it before the public as an advertisement, I shall be happy to get it done for you. "Any exertion that I can make in my sphere for the extension of Christian knowledge shall be done, for it is a great happiness to be disposed to co-operate, however humbly, with all such as may be justly termed public benefactors, among whom you have the honour of being highly distinguished, as having consecrated time, talents, and faculties to the glory of God and the benefit of mankind. "I have some thoughts of going to England, perhaps in February next; if you should be in Birmingham at that period, I shall be very happy to revisit your establishment there, and, congratulate you in person on the completion of your magnificent work of the medals, shield, &c. In hopes of an answer to this address, "I have the honour to be, dear Sir, "Your faithful and obedient servant, John Macausland "Commander, R.N. "P.S. I should not wish you to write again under cover to the Dean of Down, as he is absent from home, and the delay of course great. I shall be most happy to hear from you by post direct, without enclosing to any member of Parliament. firm of our house at Leghorn is Bell, De Yongh, and Co., VOL. II. Q 1832. and they will readily attend to any matter you entrust to them. You may write to them yourself, if you think proper; but as we shall mention that they will probably have something sent to their care for you, you may save yourself that trouble, and only write to his Eminence the Cardinal that on placing the mosaic with Messrs. Bell, De Yongh, and Co., they will do every thing else needful. "The insurance for the sum of £200 shall be attended to as soon as we hear of the shipment. Always at your commands, we remain, "I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt your letter of the 20th September last, which reached me only last week. of "To meet your wishes with as little delay as possible, I have had a conference with his Eminence Cardinal Bernetti, Secretary of State, and with Monsignor Capaccini, his substitute, on the subject. "I have learnt that the five folio volumes which you forwarded to his Eminence the Cardinal Albani, to be submitted to his Holiness the late Pope Pius the VIII., reached their destination a few days only previous to the death of his Holiness. The heirs, therefore, considering this present as part of the personal inhe ritance of his Holiness, they have disposed of it, 1833. without leaving to his successor, the present reigning Pontiff, any knowledge of the work. "I have also understood that a short time ago you submitted to his Highness, the reigning Pontiff, another specimen of medals, for which present His Holiness condescended to forward to you, through the most valued medium of Cardinal Weld, a piece of mosaic, as a token of his Holiness's pleasure in receiving the medals. "This is all I have been able to do in the matter, and in congratulating you on your laudatory occupation, I beg you will command my service in this country, "And believe me, Sir, "Your most obedient servant, Heronymus Galant "To Sir Edward Thomason, 66 &c., &c., &c." My dear Sir, "Mint Office, 20th January, 1833. "I have taken the first opportuninity of laying your letter before Lord Auckland, requesting permission to be furnished with a proof set of the series of coins of the present reign. "His Lordship has desired me to inform you that he is happy to comply with your request, and an order has accordingly been given to Mr. Wyon, the chief engraver of the Mint, to prepare the pieces. "Mr. Wyon will write you a notice as soon as the coins are in readiness, and also of the cost; which must |