70 



A volume of Mr. Petrie's work on the Round Towers of 

 Ireland, was laid upon the table. 



The Secretary read the following Report from the Coun- 

 cil, which was adopted, and ordered to be entered on the 

 Minutes : 



' ' Among the occurrences of the past year, the Council have 

 to notice the acquisition by the Academy of a considerable collec- 

 tion of Irish manuscripts. This collection was purchased from 

 Messrs. Hodges and Smith for 1250 guineas ; of which sum so large 

 a share as £600 was very liberally granted for the purpose by Her 

 Majesty's Government. The remainder, with the exception of 

 £100 contributed from the funds of the Academy, was raised by 

 subscription from the Members of the Academy and the Public ge- 

 nerally ; and the Council are gratified in referring to this new 

 instance of the right feeling and proper spirit which have, of late 

 years, been manifested in the case of national remains; but, at the 

 same time, they have to express their regret that the known exis- 

 tence of this feeling has had the effect of greatly increasing the price 

 of such relics in the market. 



" For the purpose of arranging and displaying the large col- 

 lection of Antiquities now in the possession of the Academy, the 

 room in which the meetings of the Academy used to be held has 

 been converted into aMuseum ; and, at the trifling expense of £150, 

 a new Board Eoom has been fitted up, in which the meetings of the 

 present Session have been held. For the economy with which these 

 arrangements have been made, the Academy are mainly indebted to 

 the suggestions of their excellent Assistant Librarian, Mr. Clibborn, 

 who cheerfully sacrificed part of his own accommodation, in order 

 that the proposed changes might be carried into effect. The regu- 

 lation of the Museum, and the adoption of such measures as may be 

 necessary for the security of the valuable collections therein depo- 

 sited, are objects which the Council recommend to the immediate 

 attention of their successors. 



" The Council are informed that a volume by Mr. Petrie, on the 

 Round Towers of Ireland, will be ready in a few days, and will be 



