THE ROYAL DUBLIN SOCIETY 



235 



possible, a proportion between rent and the produce of 

 the soil. 



The committee was asked to report on such 

 measures as might seem likely to relieve the distresses 

 of the agricultural interest of Ireland. The committee 

 found that since the Corn Act had diverted foreign 

 grain from the home market, continental nations made 

 great efforts to supply the United Kingdom with dairy 

 produce, which then experienced alarming depression. 

 The dairy produce of not less than half a million acres 

 had been imported into the United Kingdom during 

 the previous year, and the home market would soon 

 be glutted with the cheese and butter of foreign nations, 

 unless prohibited by Parliament. Fresh dried, salted 

 provisions from abroad were recommended to be ex- 

 cluded, unless admitted, as live stock was in times of 

 scarcity, by the King's proclamation. They considered 

 the restriction of imports of provisions and dairy pro- 

 duce from abroad necessary for Great Britain and 

 Ireland. It was recommended that prizes should be 

 offered for the best essays on the subjects of the en- 

 quiry — 100 guineas for the first, 50 for the second, and 

 20 for the third. 



In 1 8 17, Mr. Sadleir the aeronaut, asked leave to 

 ascend from the premises in Kildare street, but his 

 request was refused. He was, however, allowed the 

 use of the exhibition room in Hawkins street to 

 exhibit his balloon. 1 



In the same year Thomas Archdeacon, esq., pre- 

 sented to the Society a bust of Alexander Pope by 

 Roubiliac. 



1 An ascent had previously been made from the lawn of Leinster 

 House. On 19th July 1785, the first Irish aeronaut, Richard Crosbie, 

 son of Sir Paul Crosbie, made an ascent. He was rescued in the 

 channel, and brought to Dunleary, the vessel towing- the balloon 

 behind. Gilbert's History of Dublin^ iii. 279. 



