374 



man, but as an enlightened statesman, who needs not to be 

 informed, that the cultivation of the studies in which the Aca- 

 demy is engaged must exercise a great and rapidly increasing 

 influence on the progress of civilization and social life. 



" Abstract and practical sciences are the foundation of the 

 marvellous wealth and power that crown the British Empire : 

 the lighter treasures of literature are not the less necessary to 

 prevent the human mind from becoming enslaved by the pre- 

 ponderance of material interests: and the study of the remain- 

 ing records and monuments of antiquity is of no less practical 

 importance, because the past, which they make known to us, 

 has left traces in the national character which cannot be fully 

 understood whilst they are unknown. 



"To the interest which was taken in the progress of the 

 Academy by your noble predecessor, the Earl of Clarendon, 

 we owe the very convenient premises we now occupy, as well 

 as the means of adding to them suitable rooms for our Museum 

 and Library. As these buildings are as yet unfinished, our 

 Museum of Irish Antiquities is not at present displayed to 

 advantage ; but we hope before long to have it so arranged, 

 as to render it worthy of your Excellency's inspection. 



" We beg leave to express our heartfelt wish, that your 

 Excellency's Government may prove a source of improvement 

 to Ireland, and happiness to its people." 



On the recommendation of the Council, it was Resolved:— 



I. That £50 be placed at the disposal of the Committee 

 of Antiquities for the purchase of articles for the Museum. 



II. That the Museum of the Academy be exhibited in the 

 Great Dublin Exhibition of 1853, on the conditions agreed to 

 between the Council and the Committee of the Great Exhi- 

 bition ; and that the Council be empowered to take such fur- 

 ther steps, from time to time, for the security of the Collection, 

 as they may de^m necessary. 



