nor the extent of Its botanical produdions afcertained, 

 we need not wonder that Ireland, abounding in the firft 

 materials of many manufactures, fliould yet have confi- 

 dered them no otherwife valuable than as articles of 

 export. 



To attain purpofes of fo great national utility as 

 this Academy propofes to itfelf, the patriotifm of the 

 inhabitants of this kingdom has made many efforts, 

 which thoufih not entirely effe6lual have yet given a 

 well-founded hope, that when circumftances more fa- 

 vourable fbould arife fuch endeavours might be atten- 

 ded with fuccefs. The foundation of our Univeriity has 

 diffufed the advantages of a liberal education to a num- 

 ber which, when the poverty and ftate of population of 

 this country are taken into account, appears far from 

 inconflderable ; and feveral private literary focieties have 

 been at different times paft formed, tending to keep alive 

 the claims of Ireland on their pofterity, and perhaps to 

 facilitate the fuccefs of future labours. In the year 

 1683 William Molyneaux v;as inftrumental in forming 

 a Society in Dublin limilar to the Royal Society in 

 London, of which he was an illuftrious member : much 

 might be expelled from an inftitution of which Sir 

 William Petty was prefident, and Molyneaux fecretary, 

 had not the diftra<Sted ftate of the kingdom difperfed 

 them fo foon as 1688. Their plan feems to have been 



refumed 



