[ xvl ] 



held out to them, in the eftabliflimcnt of a medical 

 fchool, and the foundation of an obfervatory for aftro- 

 nomlcal purpofes ; and at a time when every qualifi- 

 cation natural and acquired concurred in pointing out a 

 prefident, whofe zeal for the interefts of Ireland could 

 only be equalled by his zeal for the interefts of learn- 

 ing. 



Animated by fuch encouragements, the Irlfh nation 

 are called on to exert themfelves. The Academy, in 

 this volume, with moft refpe£tful deference prefents 

 the firft fruits of its labours to the public : whether 

 the beginning now made fhall be relinqulflied with 

 difgrace, or this Society be taught to afpire to hopes of 

 vigor and continuance, is a queftlon, which thofe who 

 have abilities to promote the advancement of literature 

 ihould be informed is left, with all its important confe- 

 quences, for their exertions to determine. To embolden 

 their diffidence, the nature of thefe publications holds out 

 all the advantages of mutual example, while the great 

 national benefits to be derived from this Inftltution muPc 

 ftamp their Indolence a crime of no lefs magnitude than 

 treafon agalnft the welfare of Ireland. They are called 

 on by every tie which can have a laudable influence on 

 the heart of man : by the hopes of fuccefs, and the in- 

 famy of defeat, by the follcitations of a natural inftindl 



whigh 



