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and prosperous state. The circumstance of our meeting in this 

 new abode, so much more commodious than the one we formerly 

 occupied, and so much more commensurate with the wants and the 

 dignity of the Academy, is a conclusive proof of the estimation in 

 which it is held. By thus liberally providing for our accommoda- 

 tion, the Government of the country has established a permanent 

 memorial of the approbation with which it regards the Academy, 

 and which the Queen's Representative has recently expressed in 

 the most ample and gratifying terms. It remains for the Academy 

 to pursue its vocation with fresh energy, and to prove itself de- 

 serving of national support, as the chief body representing Science 

 and Literature in Ireland. 



For the information of members who may not be fully aware of 

 the circumstances connected with our tenure of the former Aca- 

 demy House, and our removal to the present one, the Council have 

 thought it expedient to lay before you a brief statement of these 

 matters. 



The first meetings of the Academy were held in the house of its 

 first President, the Earl of Charlemont. On his application to the 

 Commissioners of Inland Navigation, the Academy was then granted 

 the use of their house No. 114, Grafton-street, then called the Na- 

 vigation House. The Commissioners having moved a few years 

 afterwards to a different office, the Academy continued to occupy 

 the same premises, and finally prevailed upon the Government to 

 present it with the interest which the Government possessed in the 

 lease of the house. This was done by a King's Letter in the year 

 1788. For some years after this date, annual grants of various 

 amounts were made by the Irish Treasury to enable the Academy 

 to defray its rent: but finally, in the years 1800 and 1801, two 

 Acts of Parliament were passed, respectively granting annual sums 

 not exceeding £50 and £116 13s. (late Irish currency); the former 

 " to defray the expenses of the Establishment ;" the latter for the 

 express purpose of paying the rent of the Academy House ; but, in 

 fact, it was understood that these sums were intended to pay the 

 various charges incidental upon the house accommodation of the 

 Academy. From this source, after the deduction of certain official 

 charges, the Academy has continued ever since to derive an annual 



