410 
And ‘ The authenticity and value of Irish manuscript histories of 
ages prior to that of Henry IT.” 
The Cunningham prize was awarded to William Preston, Hsq., for 
his essay on Irish manufactures; and a gold medal to Mr. Thomas 
Wallace, A.B., for his essay on the variations of English style since the 
Revolution. The latter essay is printed in vol. vi. of the Transactions. 
In February, 1798, the Council nominated a committee of five 
persons to select three questions to be proposed for prize essays—one 
in science, one in polite literature, and one in antiquities. But we 
do not find that this committee made any report or recommendation to 
the Council. 
In October, 1798, the Academy received from a gentleman in 
England, whose name was not disclosed, a sum of £50 British, which 
he desired should be proposed as a premium for the best essay ‘‘On 
the mischievous effects produced by too great credulity in times of 
civil commotion.”” The Academy, though considering the inquiry not 
to fall strictly within their province, yet, unwilling to disappoint the 
good intentions of the donor, consented to undertake the adjudication 
of the prize. But it seems not to have been awarded to any one. An 
essay on Credulity by Wm. Preston, Esq., is printed in vol. xi. of the 
Transactions; but it does not appear to have competed for the prize. 
In May, 1799, a premium of £50 from the Cunningham Fund was 
offered for the best essay in answer to the question—‘‘Can any sub- 
stitute for bark be advantageously used in tanning ?”’ 
Gold medals were also offered for the best essay on each of the'fol- 
lowing subjects :— 
1. ‘“‘ What judgment should be formed of the literary merit and 
moral tendency of those pieces of German literature which have been 
lately translated: into the English language, and to what probable 
causes should their peculiar style be attributed?’ And, 
2. ‘‘ What proofs are extant ofa state of civilization in Ireland 
superior to that of the adjacent countries in any period prior to the reign 
of Henry II.?” 
The prize for a new method of tanning was not awarded to the only 
candidate who produced an essay on the subject. An essay on the 
peculiarities of recent German writers was written by Mr. Preston, but 
withdrawn from competition ; it is printed in vol. viii. of the Transac- 
tions. On the question of Irish history no essay appears to have been 
sent in. 
In June, 1800, a premium of £100 was offered for the most de- 
tailed and accurate mineralogical and geological description of the 
county of Dublin, with specimens of the minerals found at an accessible 
depth. Gold medals were also offered for the best essays on each of 
the two following subjects :— 
‘The origin and progress of rhyme,” and, 
‘‘The Brehon Laws of Ireland.’ 
A medal was adjudged to Theophilus Swift, Hsq., for his essay on 
the former subject, printed in vol. ix. of the Transactions. There 
appears to have been no competition for the other prizes. 
