413 
might be left to the next Council. Accordingly, on the 13th of April, 
the science medal was adjudged to Archdeacon Brinkley for his essay 
~entitled, ‘‘ Investigations in Physical Astronomy, principally relative 
to the mean motion of the Lunar Apogee.’ This essay is printed in vol. 
xiii. of the Transactions. No medal appears to have been given for 
polite literature or antiquities in 1818; nor in any department in 1819 
or 1820. 
The Committee of 1819 on the Cunningham Medals, of which we 
have already spoken, recommended that ‘the surplus, if any there be, 
above the expense of the annual medals given by law, should be given 
as medals or other rewards for essays on such subjects as may be pro- 
posed by Council; the subjects, &c., to be regulated by Council at the 
periods appointed for the adjudication of the Cunningham medals for 
the preceding year, or as soon after as may be convenient—these sub- 
jects to be always specified, and the essays given in, within a year from 
the time of offering the reward; and, if still there should be a surplus, 
that it should be applied to the increase of the fund.’’ These recom- 
mendations were adopted by the Council. 
The first proposal of subjects for essays in accordance with this 
arrangement is found under the date of May 1, 1820. On the report 
of a Sub-Committee, the Council then resolved that a medal should be 
given for the best essay upon each of the following subjects :— 
In science—‘‘ On the relative ages of the limestone rocks of Ire- 
land ;” 
In polite literature—‘‘ On the reciprocal influence of the fine arts 
and literature ;”’ 
And in antiquities—‘‘ On the origin and nature of the amphithe- 
atrical buildings lately discovered in the south of Ireland.” 
Notwithstanding an extension of the time allowed for the sending 
in of these essays, there seems to have been only one produced, on the 
antiquarian subject. The medal was withheld; but a sum of £10 was 
presented to the author (‘‘ Philotechnos’’) as a reward for the industry 
and research displayed in its composition. 
In May, 1822, it was resolved to offer, as formerly, a prize of £50 for 
the best essay on a given subject. The subject selected was—‘‘ On the 
means of rendering the sources of national wealth possessed by Ire- 
land most available for the employment of its population.” Four 
essays on this question were received. The full amount of the prize 
was given for one, whose author was the Rev. Richard Ryan; and ten 
guineas were voted to Dr. Wood, the writer of a second, as a reward 
for his industry and talents. 
The prize question for 1824 was—‘‘ The influence of the exten- 
sion of mechanical improvements on the character and happiness of a 
nation.” 
A gold medal of the value of £20 was at the same time offered for 
the best essay on the following subject :—‘‘ On the nature and influence 
of the Brehon Laws; and upon the number and authenticity of the 
documents whence information concerning them may be derived, ac- 
