[ " ] 



they formed a plan more extenfive, arid admitting Tucli 

 additional names only as might add dignity to their new 

 inflitution, or by their publications had given fure 

 ground to hope advantage from their labours, became 

 the founders of the Royal Irifli Academy. 



Let it not be imputed to arrogance vi^hen we fay 

 that, however former Societies in this kingdom may have 

 failed, the members of this Academy fhould not be dif- 

 heartened. From its peculiar nature, and feveral fa- 

 vourable circumftances attending the time of its infti- 

 tution, it has many profpeds of continuance. Uniting 

 in one plan the three compartments of Science, Polite 

 Literature, and Antiquities, it unites whatever is pleafino- 

 with whatever is ufeful, the advancement of fpeculative 

 knowledge with the hiftory of mankind : it makes pro- 

 viHon for the capricious variations of literary purfuit, 

 and embracing all the objeds of rational enquiry, it 

 fecures the co-operation of the learned of every de- 

 fcription. 



It has been inftituted too at a time; when it can enjoy 

 the prote6lion of a monarch, whofe patronage of the 

 liberal arts has made his reign an illuftrious sera in the 

 annals of literature ; at a time when two of the fciences 

 have had advantages hitherto unknown in this country 



held 



