CONTENTS 



CHAP. 



P*GE 



I. Origin of the Society i 



II. Constitution and Progress of the Society . 14 



III. The "Weekly Observations" and General 



History of the Society, (i 736-1 750) . 34 



IV. Dr. Madden's and the Society's Premium 



Systems. (1739-1790) . . . 52 



V. The Society's Charter and its Further 



Progress. (1750-1767) .... 75 



VI. Homes of the Society 88 



VII. The Drawing Schools 108 



VIII. Experiments in Agriculture, and General 



Proceedings. (1764-1780) . . . 136 



IX. The Schools of Chemistry and Mineralogy. 



(1786-1836) i54 



X. The Library; and The Statistical Surveys 



of Counties . . . . • .170 



XI. The Botanic Garden 186 



XII. The Hibernian Silk and Woollen Ware- 

 houses . 198 



XIII. Finances of the Society : Membership and 



By-laws. (1 761-1836) .... 209 

 XIV. General History of the Society. (1781-1815) 217 



