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a native and a resident of this country, and to whose sympa- 

 thies a Society such as our's, founded for the advancement of 

 knowledge in Ireland, may confidently appeal. 



" Composed, as our body is, of men conscientiously dif- 

 fering upon questions of the first importance, and united by 

 the sole bond of kindred intellectual pursuits, we have had the 

 satisfaction to know that, while the immediate objects of our 

 incorporation have been successfully forwarded, the advance 

 has been hallowed by those feelings of mutual good-will which 

 are not less valuable than knowledge itself. 



" That such feelings may take root and spread in this 

 country, under your Excellency's Government, is our earnest 

 hope and prayer." 



ANSWEE. 

 " Mr. President and Gentlemen, 



" It is most gratifying to me to receive your congratula- 

 tions on my acceptance of the high office to which Her Ma- 

 jesty has been pleased to appoint me; and I learn with great 

 pleasure that, by virtue of the Charter under which you were 

 incorporated, I am associated with your distinguished body 

 as Visitor of the Royal Irish Academy. 



" As a resident of Ireland I feel peculiar interest in a 

 Society founded more particularly for the advancement of 

 Science in this country; and it is most satisfactory to me to 

 receive an Address from persons who, diifering on questions 

 of great importance, have done me the honour of concurring 

 in their approval of my appointment." 



Sir W. R. Hamilton having taken the Chair pro tempore, 

 the President described a new instrument for observing the 

 Magnetic Dip. 



This instrument is similar to one furnished to the late 

 Arctic Expedition under Sir John Franklin, and which was 

 constructed by Mr. Barrow under the direction of Dr. Lloyd. 



