454. 
NATURE 
[JUNE 24, 1915 


utterly uneconomic conditions, and it remains to 
be seen how far they will be able, as a manu- 
facturing nation, and in face of the world’s com- 
petition, to make good their boast that they have 
rendered themselves permanently independent of 
outside supplies of nitrates. Their strenuous 
labours, under the sharp spur of necessity, will at 
least serve to demonstrate what is to be the ulti- 
mate future of synthetic ammonia and nitric acid. 
THE, ROVAE DUBLIN SOGIE Tye? 
HE history of the Royal Dublin Society is 
that of an extensive and efficient group of 
educational institutions, which still cluster, in 
appropriately classical buildings, round about the 
adorned at this period with the handsome public 
buildings which remain its chief glory at the 
present day. Wealthy residents occupied town- 
houses, decorated internally in the most exquisite 
Georgian taste; among these, Lord Kildare, after- 
wards first Duke of Leinster, built a mansion on 
the eastern margin of the city in 1745. In 1814 
the Royal Dublin Society. purchased this building, 
and obtained a habitation worthy of the position 
it had gained (Fig. 1). 
Thus, by private enterprise, a great institution 
for the promotion of applied science had grown 
up in Dublin. It must be remembered, however, 
that its members had considerable influence; they 
included a large part of the Irish House of Lords, 
and the meeting for the first election of members, 

Fic 
residence of the Dukes of Leinster. The founders 
of the “Dublin Society” in 1731 were anxious 
to improve in every way the condition of Ireland, 
by encouraging “husbandry, manufactures, and 
other useful arts.” The atmosphere of Dublin 
was at that date eminently progressive. London 
was reached by a drive to Dalkey Sound, a cross- 
ing of very doubtful duration in a sailing-packet 
to Anglesey, and a journey of some days by 
chaise and coach, including the troublesome 
passages of Beaumaris sands and Penmaenmawr. 
London, moreover, was then a city to be rivalled 
rather than envied, and the Irish capital became 
1 “A History of the Royal Dublin Society.” By H. F. Berry. 
460. (London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1915.) Price 15s. net. 
NO. 2382, VOL. 95| 
Pp. xv+ 
1.—Conversation Room, ground floor of Leinster House, 
Dublin. 
From ‘‘ A History of the Royal Dublin Society.” 
in 1750, after the society had received its royal 
charter (p. 76), was held in the Parliament House 
in College Green. The Irish Parliament (p. 209) 
was always ready to acknowledge and assist the 
work of the society, and—though Mr. Berry does 
not mention the fact—the purchase of the Leskean 
collection of minerals for the benefit of Irish 
students (p. 156) was made possible by the zeal 
of the Speaker, John Forster, and by a vote 
from public funds. 
The story of this collection, which is the basis 
of that now in the National Museum, illustrates 
the attitude of the society towards scientific work. 
Karsten’s original German catalogue was trans- 
lated and published in Dublin as a permanent 
