THE ROYAL DUBLIN SOCIETY 149 



February 18 12, when very old and feeble, Vallancey 

 resigned his custody of the Society's nummarium, and 

 presented to it any coins or medals which were his own 

 property, when a cordial vote of thanks was passed to 

 him for his successful endeavours at all times to pro- 

 mote its interests. In the course of his fifty years' 

 connection with the Society, he must have devoted an 

 immense amount of time and attention to its affairs. 

 Mr. Isaac Weld, secretary, in giving evidence before the 

 Select Committee of 1836, said that General Vallancey 

 " was always on the spot, and was a sort of dictator in 

 the Society/' He was a member of most of the 

 committees, working indefatigably on each, and no new 

 movement appears to have originated, as to which his 

 advice was not sought and his co-operation invited. 

 General Vallancey died on the 8th of August 18 12. 

 There is a portrait of him by Chinnery, in the Royal 

 Irish Academy, and another by Solomon Williams in 

 Leinster House. 



In 1772, the Society had the pleasant experience 

 of receiving a legacy under a will. Henry Jesse, of 

 Jessefield, county Tipperary, bequeathed to it ^300 

 for the " encouragement of agriculture." Mr. Jesse's 

 will, dated 1769, was proved on the 3rd of May 1770, 

 by John Scott, barrister, the executor. 



During the ensuing year, a select committee of 

 commerce was appointed, which issued a circular 

 addressed to the gentlemen and clergy of Ireland, 

 with 26 queries for reply. The committee subse- 

 quently made a special report on the tanning trade. 



About this time, the amount of arrears due in 

 subscriptions was becoming very serious, and on the 13th 

 of June 1782, on the motion of the Earl of Aldborough, 

 it was resolved that a circular letter be sent to members 

 in arrear, stating that in consequence of the great 



