46S Kirwavlan Society of Duhlin. 



In 1654 the renowned Academic del Cimcnto, the first 

 truly experimental society, made its appearance : it enume- 

 rates the celebrated nanics of Gahleo. Torricelli, Affgi- 

 unti, and Viviani. \n this academy first originated the 

 custom of publi?hing Transactions. 



During tlie gloomv administration of Cromwell was 

 formed the embryo of the since celebrated Royal Society of 

 London. Its original members were Boyle, Evelyn, Hook, 

 Needham, Willouahby, Ray, Lester, and Grew. Of the 

 subsequent member.- much might be said, had not their fame 

 rendered it unnecessary : to eulogize, were but to name 

 them. There was one, who, had he been the only philoso- 

 pher amongst all, would have perpetuated the fame of the 

 Society,— the illustrious, the immortal Newton, not less 

 the lover than the beloved favourite of Nature. 



In 1666 was established the famous Academy of Sciences 

 at Paris. Amongst its early members, we find the names 

 'of Dominic Cas^ini and Huygens. 



The splendid reputation, indefatigable labours, and incal- 

 culable i<.r vices of these three academies, in England, 

 France and Italy, excited a spirit of emulation in every 

 part. Every monarch was ambitious of being a protector, 

 and every man of talent an associate, of some learned so- 

 ciety. The number of academies that spruno; up at once 

 was amazing ; no Jess thaji 530 have been enumerated in 

 Italy alone. 



In 1700 an Academy of Sciences was founded at Berlin, 

 by Frederick T. of which Leibnitz was the chief promoter. 

 The celebrated Mnupertujs was afterwards appointed its 

 president bv Frederick II f. 



Peter iheGieat wiih the assistance of Leibnitz and Wolfe 

 first projected the plan of the Imperial Academy of Sciences 

 at Pcttrsbtirg, which was established in 1 725 by the Czarina 

 Catherine I. 



A!)out 1739 Linnreus with a few men of letters formed 

 a private society at Stockholm, which was in 1741 incor- 

 porated by the kirg under the title of " Academy of 

 Sciences," and of this Linnaeus was appointed president. 



At length, after some unsuccessful attempts in Dublin, a 

 number ot gentlemen began to hold meetings and to read 

 es«avs ; and soon enlarging their plan, they were in 178Q 

 iuc-orporated under the name of the Royal Irish Academy, 

 which unites the advancement of science with the history 

 pf mankind and with polite literature. 



A nvr.'.lHT of societies have of late years sprung up, the 

 latest of which is the Kirwauian Society of Dublin. The 



original 



