176 PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY 



A proposition in reference to the administration of the Vatican 

 Library, hiid before the Academy at the anniversary meeting, was 

 referred to the Council for consideration. 



The Council is deeply sensible of the interest and importance of the 

 movement proposed by Dr. Beck. The system adopted by the Papal 

 Authorities for the use, or rather the disuse, of the literary manuscripts 

 of that great collection, has been explained to the Council by Dr. Beck, 

 from his own experience. Nothing can be more desirable to those en- 

 gaged in historical and philological investigations, nor more useful to 

 the cause of learning, than the relaxation of the rigid rules which vir- 

 tually exclude scholars from all inspection and examination of the manu- 

 scripts in the Vatican. Learned men, and especially learned societies 

 throughout the world, it is thought, may with propriety protest against 

 this system, and solicit a change. 



The Council would suggest, however, that the Academy may wisely 

 refrain from adopting the political expressions contained in the pream- 

 ble with which the resolves under consideration are connected ; and 

 would also express the opinion, that, in view of the importance and deli- 

 cacy of this subject, its practical consideration may advantageously be 

 devolved upon a committee of the executive officers of the Academy, 

 who can, at their discretion, seize upon any favorable opportunities that 

 may offer from time to time for the representation of the case ; act- 

 ing under the following resolution, — which is herewith reported as a 

 substitute for those referred to its consideration, viz. : — 



Resolved, That the President, Vice-President, and the Secretaries of 

 the Academy be a committee to correspond with the American Minis- 

 ter at Rome, and also with the American Minister at Turin, if they 

 think it expedient, on the subject of securing greater liberality in the 

 administration of the Library of the Vatican, and particularly with a 

 view to secure to scholars an opportunity of examining its rare and 

 valuable manuscripts. 



The resolution was adopted. 



The vacancy in the Rumford Committee, occasioned by the 

 resignation of Professor Eliot, was filled by the election of 

 Professor Gibbs. 



Henry C. Carey of Philadelphia, and George Bancroft of 

 New York, were elected Associate Fellows, in Class IIL, Sec- 

 tion 4. 



