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51 
is given. But the Gold Medal of the Academy is objectionable on another 
ground: in that it contains nothing to indicate either the person to whom 
if was awarded, or the reason why it was given to him. The Medals are 
all from the same die, whether they are given for the advancement of 
science, or for classical learning, or for the promotion of archeological 
knowledge,—and if one of them were stolen or lost, there is nothing to 
indicate to whom it once belonged. 
I am, therefore, very much disposed to prefer the plan suggested 
many years ago, I believe in 1839, by Dr. Aquilla Smith. The main 
features of this plan are, that the Medal should be of copper, bearing on 
one side a permanent device, and on the other a portrait of the indivi- 
dual to whom it is given, with an inscription containing his name, and 
the reason why the medal was awarded. A certain number of copies of 
each Medal should be sent by the Academy to royal and public cabinets 
at home and abroad, and the remainder sold to Members and to the public. 
A single copy in silver to be given to the person who receives the medal, 
but no gold impression to be taken. 
The advantages of this system are, that it spreads at once the fame 
both of the Academy and of the individuals distinguished by the Medals. 
Collectors will look eagerly for them; a series of them will be preserved 
in every public cabinet, and in all the principal private collections ; and 
the money now spent uselessly in the purchase of gold will be expended 
in the encouragement of art, inasmuch as every Medal given must have 
a new and peculiar die sunk for it. 
To return, however, from this digression to the proper business of 
this meeting. , 
The Medals now about to be given ought, strictly speaking, to have 
been given last year; but the death of our Treasurer, the late Dr. Ball, 
and some private matters connected with our finances, induced the Council 
to postpone the delivery of them until now; and I am glad that. these 
accidents are attended with at least one good result, that we are now 
honoured by the presence of the distinguished nobleman who so worthily 
represents her most sacred Majesty in this country. 
In consequence of the interval that has elapsed since the last distri- 
bution of these Prizes, the Council have resolved to give four on the pre- 
sent occasion, two in the department of Science, one in that of Polite 
Literature, and one in Antiquities. 
On the recommendation of the Committee of Science, the Medals have 
been awarded to Edward J. Cooper, Esq., M. P., of Markree Castle, for 
his ‘‘ Catalogue of Kcliptic Stars ;’’ and to the Rev. George Salmon, for 
his researches on the ‘‘ Geometry of Plane Curves.”’ 
On the recommendation of the Committee of Polite Literature, a 
Medal is adjudged to the Rey. Dr. Wall, for his important work on the 
“ Ancient Orthography of the Jews, and the Present State of the Text 
of the Hebrew Bible.” 
On the recommendation of the Committee of Antiquities, the Rev. 
Dr. Reeves is to receive a Medal for his new edition of Adamnan’s 
“* Life of St. Columba.” 
