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my own mind, and (I believe) on the minds of others too, than even 
the literary and antiquarian interest of those curious and valuable 
details (such as the Hymn of Patrick, and the particulars respecting 
the Lia Fail, or ancient Coronation Stone of Ireland,) brought for- 
ward in the present Essay. I shall not venture here to give utterance 
to any opinion respecting the extent to which the once common and 
still lingering prejudice against the value and authenticity of Irish 
Manuscripts, almost against the very existence of any ancient History 
or Literature of Ireland, may have been removed or exposed before, 
by the labours of other antiquaries. But it may be allowed me to 
express a conviction, that it is only by pursuing some such plan as that 
exemplified in Mr. Petrie’s Essay, namely, by a diligent examination 
of existing Irish Manuscripts, and of existing Irish Remains, and by an 
unreserved publication of all which may be found in the one and in 
the other, that full historic certainty can be attained, respecting the 
ancient state of Ireland. And that if, on the other hand, this dili- 
gent search be made, and this full and free publication, they will not 
fail to produce a clearness and convergence of opinions, among all 
who attend to these subjects; and will throw such a steady light, 
not on Irish History alone, but on other cognate histories, as will 
repay the labour and expense required for such an enterprize. 
The Royal Irish Academy has already, from its limited means, 
contributed much to accomplish this object, or to prepare materials 
for accomplishing it. By purchase or transcription, we have gra- 
dually collected originals, or carefully collated copies, of many of 
the most valuable manuscripts which are extant, in the ancient 
Trish language. At ano slight expense, our volumes of Transactions 
have been and still continue open to receive such fruits of diligent 
and judicious research, in this department of study, as are contained 
in the paper on Tara. The sum which, by a recent vote, has been 
placed at the disposal of the Council, will enable them to push on 
with vigour the printing and engraving of that other elaborate work 
of the same author, which was honoured with the award of a medal 
here some years ago,—the Essay (by Mr. Petrie) on the Round 
Towers of Ireland. And the liberality of Members concurs with 
that of extern Subscribers to place, from time to time, upon our 
table, such splendid donations of ancient Irish Relics, as the Cross 
and the Torques of this evening. 
