261 
ditional remarks on “ Great Ireland.” Professor Rafn took 
occasion also to solicit contributions of books or money, for 
a public library which had been established by himself, in 
- 1818, at Reikiavik, the capital of Iceland, “ whose inhabi- 
: 
7 
tants,” he says, “have but little opportunity of gratifying 
their thirst for information.” The library now numbers 
7500 volumes, and possesses a permanent fund of 1500 rixdol- 
lars, for which it is partly indebted to ‘some noble-minded 
Englishmen.” With reference to the subject of this letter, 
Mr. Downes remarked, that the island for which Professor 
Rafn felt so much interest, had peculiar claims on the sym- 
pathy of Irishmen, as having been, like their own island, a 
place of refuge for literature, when banished from the con- 
tinent of Europe. He then renewed his application to the 
Academy for a contribution to the funds of the Royal So- 
ciety of Northern Antiquaries, observing, that they had 
shown great readiness to lend their aid in the elucidation of 
Irish antiquities, which indeed were intimately connected 
with their own ; and that a work, which they now had in con- 
templation, was specially devoted to the antiquities of Great 
Britain and Ireland ; a work, however, of such magnitude, 
that it might never see the light, unless a liberal supply 
could be raised for the funds of the Society. 
It was RESOLVED, that Mr. Downes be requested to com- 
municate with the Council on this subject. 
ResotvEp,—on the recommendation of Council, that in 
the By-law, Chap. VIII. Sec. 5. the words “ altered or re- 
pealed” be inserted after the word “ confirmed.” 
The Secretary of Council stated, that the Council, in 
consequence of the expressed wish of the Academy, had 
resolved, “ that any alterations in By-laws, proposed by the | 
Council, shall be stated in full to the Members of the Aca- 
demy, together with the existing By-law, so proposed to be 
amended ; and that this notice shall be given én print.” 
