331 
That Mr. Mallet did not then interfere and defend the theory, is, to 
my mind, conclusive that Dr. Hart’s memory of the facts is the more 
accurate, and that he, not Mr. Mallet, was an original and independent 
inventor. 
In persuading any person of this truth of the theory of built-up 
cannon, I have found the greatest assistance from Dr. Hart’s calculation ; 
and I dare say that if he has tried to convince a person less conversant 
with mathematics than himself, he has found the task easier since he 
has been able to say, ‘‘ Captain Blakely has made several cannon on this 
principle, and they have shown powers of endurance far beyond what 
even he himself anticipated.” 
Although, therefore, I believe I anticipated Dr. Hart, I can conceive 
no process of reasoning by which persons taught by him can transfer 
their gratitude to me. I, consequently, am unable to attach the same 
importance to the question of priority which others seem to have done.* 
Mr. W. R. Wilde exhibited a medallion plaster bust of the late John 
M. Kemble, Esq., and presented the following antiquities :— 
1. From Dr. Kelly, Mullingar, an ancient Irish skull; 2. from Mr. 
Richard Murray, Mullingar, two ancient shoes, found in turf bogs (see 
Catalogue, p. 349); 3. from Dr. O’Meara, Carlow, a bronze pin; 4. from 
the Corporation of Dublin, gutta-percha casts of the ancient seal of that 
body. 
The Academy then adjourned. 
MONDAY, JUNE 11, 1860. 
James Henruorn Topp, D. D., President, in the Chair. 
Grorce Muyier, Ese., was elected a Member of the Academy. 
The President drew the attention of the Academy to the beautiful 
electrotype model of the box of St. Molaise of Devenish Island, which 
had been presented to the Museum a few years ago by Mr. West. The 
original has recently become the property of a member of the Council, 
and great interest, therefore, attaches to any historical fact which may be 
found in our ancient literature respecting this valuable relic. 
The following legend occurs in an ancient historical romantic tale, 
entitled Tannainc bec pola, a MS. of which is in the collection of Pro- 
fessor Curry, from whom the President received the following transla- 
tion of the legend :— 
“One Sunday morning when Diarmaid, son of Aedh Slaine, monarch of 
Treland, was lying upon his couch, at or near Tara, he saw before him 
in the house four young clergymen. -‘‘ What, is it possible,” said Di- 
armaid, ‘‘ that the clergymen are travelling upon the Sunday?” at the 
same time covering his head so that he should not see them. ‘‘ It was 
