Minutes of Proceedings. 191 



In the various branches of Science, the Academy may claim to 

 have fully performed her part in the past, and is still actively engaged 

 in the work of original research. 



If Literature did not present so large a field for our endeavours, 

 we are still able to point to important work recently done in 

 the subjects of ancient Greek Papyri and Manuscripts of the Early 

 Fathers as a proof that this portion of our duty is not neglected. 



In our Museum of Irish Antiquities, now in part displayed in 

 the New Museum of Science and Art, will be found a collection 

 of great value as illustrating the past history and early civilization 

 of this country. 



By the publication of a series of Facsimiles of the old Irish Texts 

 in our Library, we have placed the unique Manuscripts we possess 

 within the reach of all scholars. In this latter expensive work 

 we gratefully acknowledge the assistance given to us by Trinity 

 College, Dublin. We have also superintended for Her Majesty's 

 Treasury the publication of some of the ancient Annals of Ireland, 

 and have taken a part in the investigation of the Ethnography of 

 the people of our "Western Isles. 



Your Excellency by virtue of your oflB.ce is Visitor of the 

 Academy. We hope to have the opportunity of showing you our 

 Collection of the Antiquities of Ireland — stone, iron, bronze, silver 

 and gold, and we would further liope that you may be graciously 

 pleased to visit our Library to inspect some of our old Irish Manu- 

 scripts and Books. 



Signed on behalf of the Royal Irish Academy, 



J". K. Ingram, President. 

 E. P. Weight, Secretary. 

 Royal Irish Academy House, 

 Dawson-street, Dublin-. 



It was resolved that the marked thanks of the Academy be given 

 to W. G. D. Gofe, Esq., of Glenville, Waterford, for his liberal oflFer 

 to deposit for the present, in the Academy's Museum, the collection 

 of Irish Gold Ornaments, now exhibited, on the condition that his 

 name shall be attached to the deposit. 



Donations to the Library were announced, and thanks were voted 

 to the Donors. 



