2 Royal Irish Academy. 



the Mansion House, and had placed at the disposal of the Academy- 

 such rooms in the Mansion House as might be required for the pur- 

 poses of the Conversazione. 



It was Eesolved — 



" That the Academy approves of the steps taken by the Council 

 towards giving a Conversazione to the British Association, and that a 

 subscription list be opened to defray the expenses." 



It was Resolved — 



"That the Academy gratefully acknowledge the kindness of the 

 Lord Mayor in placing the required rooms in the Mansion House at 

 their disposal for the Conversazione to be given to the British 

 Association." 



By decree of the Council, Dr. Eichey, Q.C, read to the Academy 

 a return for the better management of the Cunningham Fund, in the 

 form of a draft letter of instructions to the solicitor of the Academy. 



Letter of Iksteuctioxs to Acade jit's Solicitoe. 



" EoTAi Irish Academy House, 

 " Dawson-steeet, Dttblin, 

 ''IslJune, 1876. 



"SlE, 



*' Pursuant to authority for this pui'pose given to us by the 

 Council of the Eoyal Irish Academy, we request that you will take 

 the necessary steps to have' a petition on behalf of the Academy pre- 

 sented to the Court of Chancery, for the purpose of enabling the Coun- 

 cil to apply the surplus of the fund called The Cunningham Pund 

 to the objects of the Institution. 



"The Institution is incorporated for the promotion of Science, 

 Polite Literature, and Antiquities. The Cunningham Pund arises 

 from a bequest to the Academy, on trust to apply the income ' in such 

 premiums as they should think proper for the improvement of natural 

 knowledge and other objects of their Institution.' 



" The Academy have entrusted the administration of this Pund to 

 the Council. 



" The Council, notwithstanding their desire to give premiums, have 

 found that that form of encouraging learning has not been generally 

 successful, and the interest of the Pund has outgrown their ability to 

 apply it beneficially in that way. 



