36 Royal Irish Academy. 



hope that it would have been possible, through this conference, to ob- 

 tain the advice of a body of scientific men upon the real question at 

 issue, viz., What course will be best for the future of Science in Ire- 

 land, under the special opportunities which have arisen ? 



"It would, in the opinion of the Council of the Eoyal Dublin 

 Society, have been for the advantage of Science, and for the public 

 advantage, that this issue could have been placed before such a con- 

 ference without the complications that arise from antiquarian and 

 agricultural pursuits, and from the supposed interests of particular 

 Corporations. 



" The Council of the Eoyal Dublin Society wish it to be distinctly 

 understood that, in entering upon this negociation, they have been 

 actuated by the desire to leave no means untried whereby the scienti- 

 fic branches of the two Societies might in future act together. It is 

 therefore very much to be regretted that the Council of the Academy 

 have declined the invitation. 



" I am, my dear Sir, 



" Yours faithfuUy, 



" G. JOHNSTOKE StONET, 



''John K. Ingeam, Esq., LL.D., 



'' Secretary of Council, R. I. A^ 



"Son. Secretary. 



[6] 



''2^rdofMay, 1877. 



" My deae Sie, 



" I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th inst., 

 and in reference thereto I am directed by the Council of the Eoyal 

 Irish Academy to remind you that they have not declined the holding 

 of the conference proposed by the Council of the Eoyal Dublin Society, 

 but have agreed to it, on the only basis on which it seemed to them it 

 could be properly held. This they did through respect for the Council 

 of the Eoyal Dublin Society, and because they thought the conference, 

 rightly conducted, might have led to useful results. It must, how- 

 ever, be understood that in their opinion the Council of the Eoyal 

 Dublin Society, in devising measures for the promotion of general 

 Science, is occupying itself with a subject with which, under the 



