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man, but as an enlightened statesman, who needs not to be 
informed, that the cultivation of the studies in which the Aca- 
demy is engaged must exercise a great and rapidly increasing 
influence on the progress of civilization and social life. 
‘¢ Abstract and practical sciences are the foundation of the 
marvellous wealth and power that crown the British Empire : 
the lighter treasures of literature are not the less necessary to 
prevent the human mind from becoming enslaved by the pre- 
ponderance of material interests: and the study of the remain- 
ing records and monuments of antiquity is of no less practical 
importance, because the past, which they make known to us, 
has left traces in the national character which cannot be fully 
understood whilst they are unknown. 
“To the interest which was taken in the progress of the 
Academy by your noble predecessor, the Earl of Clarendon, 
we owe the very convenient premises we now occupy, as well 
as the means of adding to them suitable rooms for our Museum 
and Library. As these buildings are as yet unfinished, our 
Museum of Irish Antiquities is not at present displayed to 
advantage ; but we hope before long to have it so arranged, 
as to render it worthy of your Excellency’s inspection. 
‘* We beg leave to express our heartfelt wish, that your 
Excellency’s Government may prove a source of improvement 
to Ireland, and happiness to its people.” 
On the recommendation of the Council, it was Resolved :— 
I. That £50 be placed at the disposal of the Committee 
of Antiquities for the purchase of articles for the Museum. 
II. That the Museum of the Academy be exhibited in the 
Great Dublin Exhibition of 1853, on the conditions agreed to 
between the Council and the Committee of the Great Exhi- 
bition; and that the Council be empowered to take such fur- 
ther steps, from time to time, for the security of the Collection, 
as they may deem necessary. 
