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a native and a resident of this country, and to whose sympa- 
thies a Society such as our’s, founded for the advancement of 
knowledge in Ireland, may confidently appeal. 
** Composed, as our body is, of men conscientiously dif- 
fering upon questions of the first importance, and united by 
the sole bond of kindred intellectual pursuits, we have had the 
satisfaction to know that, while the immediate objects of our 
incorporation have been successfully forwarded, the advance 
has been hallowed by those feelings of mutual good-will which 
are not less valuable than knowledge itself. 
**That such feelings may take root and spread in this 
country, under your Excellency’s Government, is our earnest 
hope and prayer.” 
ANSWER. 
‘¢ Mr. PresipENT AND GENTLEMEN, 
‘It is most gratifying to me to receive your congratula- 
tions on my acceptance of the high office to which Her Ma- 
jesty has been pleased to appoint me; and I learn with great 
pleasure that, by virtue of the Charter under which you were 
incorporated, I am associated with your distinguished body 
as Visitor of the Royal Irish Academy. 
‘* As a resident of Ireland I feel peculiar interest in a 
Society founded more particularly for the advancement of 
Science in this country; and it is most satisfactory to me to 
receive an Address from persons who, differing on questions 
of great importance, have done me the honour of concurring 
in their approval of my appointment.” 
Sir W. R. Hamilton having taken the Chair pro tempore, 
the President described a new instrument for observing the 
Magnetic Dip. 
This instrument is similar to one furnished to the late 
Arctic Expedition under Sir John Franklin, and which was 
constructed by Mr. Barrow under the direction of Dr. Lloyd. 
a 
