414 
companied by specimens of translations from some of their most interest- 
ing parts.” 
Four essays were received on the prize question, and one on the: 
subject of the Brehon Laws. The prize of £50 was equally divided 
between the essays of Mr. O’Hanlon and Mr. Sharkey on Mechanical 
Improvements ; and the additional prize was awarded to Mr. O’Reilly, 
for his essay on the Brehon Laws, printed in vol. xiv. of the Transac- 
tions: 
It will be observed that the principal subjects in the two last years, 
as well as on other previous cecasions, were of a kind not strictly refer- 
able to any of the three departments of the labours of the Academy, 
being connected with social economy, particularly in its application to 
the circumstances of Ireland. The amount of competition created in 
these instances appears to have encouraged the Academy to make further 
steps in the same course. Three prizes were offered for the year 
~ 1826 :— 
One, not exceeding £50, for the best essay ‘‘On the comparative 
state of the poor among ancient and modern nations ;” 
One, not exceeding thirty guineas, for the best essay ‘‘ On the origin 
and progress of Gothic architecture, with reference to the ancient his- 
tory and present state of the remains of such architecture in Ireland ;” 
And one, not exceeding thirty guineas, for the best essay in answer 
to the following queries:—‘‘ What are the general indications of 
metals being in any given place; the lines of direction, extent, and 
dipping of the veins, deduced from the appearance of the surface; and 
the occurrence of different metallic substances found combined or asso- 
ciated in veins or beds? What is the medium percentage of the value 
of the ores hitherto found in Ireland, and the average cost per ton of 
working and smelting them, with the expense of land and water 
carriage ? It will be necessary that any popular terminology used by 
miners be added and explained, and that a section of a regularly worked 
mine be subjoined.”’ 
Two essays on the state of the poor, and one on Gothic architecture, 
were received. The principal prize was divided between the authors 
of the former, Mr. William Woodcock receiving £35, and Dr. Patrick 
Sharkey, £15. Mr. Thomas Bell received the full prize for his essay 
on Gothie architecture. 
The subject of Irish mines was re-proposed as a prize question for 1827, 
£50 being offered for the best essay ; and an additional prize of thirty 
guineas was offered for the best essay “‘On the state of architecture in 
Ireland previously to the reign of Henry II.’”’ To these was after- 
wards added a third prize of £80 for the best essay on the following 
subject :—‘‘ The social and political state of the people of Ireland from 
the commencement of the Christian Era to the twelfth century; their 
- advancement or retrogression in science, literature, and the arts; and 
the character of their moral and religious opinions, as connected with 
their civil and ecclesiastical institutions, so far as they can be gleaned 
from any original writings prior to the commencement of the sixteenth 
