*' I anticipate the highest gratification from the perfor- 

 mance of my duty as Visitor of the Royal Irish Academy, 

 because I feel convinced that personal observation and inquiry 

 can only confirm the opinion that I entertain, that you have 

 well understood, and have effectually carried out, the noble 

 objects of your Institution, by promoting the study of Science, 

 by fostering the talent of Ireland, and by publishing those re- 

 sults of your labours, which have earned for the Academy, 

 both at home and abroad, the reputation it so justly enjoys. 



«' No higher tribute can be paid to Science and Literature, 

 — no proof more convincing of their general influence can be 

 found,— than the fact that, during a period of sixty years, 

 throughout which dissensions have unhappily, and almost with- 

 out interruption, prevailed in this country, the Royal Academy 

 has always kept aloof from the strife of parties, and has pre- 

 sented a neutral ground, where men of opinions the most op- 

 posite could meet for a common purpose, where the voice of 

 passion was not heard, and where each was intent upon the 

 good of all. 



" The Members of the Academy must feel an honest pride 

 in having thus afforded an example of that mutual forbearance 

 and good will which are of vital importance to the progress 

 and prosperity of Ireland. The necessity and the advantages 

 of such benevolent feelings are now, I rejoice to think, gene- 

 rally recognised, and I shall consider myself most fortunate, if 

 my unceasing efforts to promote them, together with the difi'u- 

 sion of knowledge, are attended with the success I desire ; for I 

 am well assured that nothing, at the present moment, would 

 be more useful to Ireland, or more faithfully fulfil the gracious 

 intentions of our Sovereign." 



It was resolved, — That we have received with the deep- 

 est sorrow the intelligence of the calamitous event which has 

 deprived the Academy, the University, and the scientific world, 

 of so bright an ornament as Professor Mac Cullagh. 



B 2 



