411 
In November, 1803, the following were selected as the prize ques- 
tions, ‘‘ under the will of the late Timothy Cunningham, Esq. :”— 
1. “‘ What is the cause of the ascent and descent of the sap in 
vegetables at certain seasons ; and how far is this cause modified by the 
climate ?” 
2. “Are the origin and progress of the polite arts in any country, 
connected with and dependent on the political state of that country ?” 
3. “What was the general character of the Brehon Laws of Ire- 
land, and what inferences may be drawn from them, in regard to the 
ancient circumstances of the country ?” 
A prize of £50 was to be given for the best essay on the first ques- 
tion, and a gold medal for the best essay on each of the other questions. 
The medal for the essay on the progress of the arts was awarded to 
that by William Preston, Esq., which is printed in vol. x. of the Trans- 
actions. 
In February, 1806, the following prize questions were proposed :— 
‘‘ What is the best method of applying turf or peat to useful pur- 
poses, exclusive of those which are usual in Ireland ?” 
“What are the limits of poetic licence ?” 
‘What are the principal obstacles to the knowledge of the Irish 
history previous to the year of our Lord one thousand one hundred ?” 
A premium of £50 out of the fund ‘‘ bequeathed for such purposes 
by Timothy Cunningham, Esq., was offered for the best essay on the 
first question, and a gold medal for the best essay on each of the two 
other questions. 
Two essays on poetic licence were received, but neither of them 
was thought deserving of the medal. : 
In May, 1808, one prize question only was proposed, namely, 
‘‘ What are the chemical preparations which are extensively useful in the 
arts of bleaching or dyeing, that are not manufactured in this country, 
and the materials of which are its natural products; and what are the 
best processes for their preparation ?” 
In May, 1809, two subjects for prize essays were proposed :— 
1, ‘‘On the resemblance and probable identity of the electric and 
galvanic fluids.” 
2. ‘On the influence of fictitious history on modern manners.”’ 
A premium not exceeding £50 was offered for the best essay on 
each. 
A sum of £30 was adjudged to Miss Harriet Kiernan for her essay 
on the influence of fictitious history, printed in vol. xii. of the Trans- 
actions. 
In April, 1811, the following prize question was proposed :— 
‘Whether, and how far, the cultivation of science and that of polite 
literature assist or obstruct each other ?” 
The full prize of £50 was awarded to the essay of William Phelan, 
Esq., A. B., printed in vol. xii. of the Transactions. 
In April, 1812, £50 were offered for the best essay “‘ On the influence 
of Habit, considered in conjunction with the law of Novelty.” A sum 
