Minutes of Proceedings. 39 



to print the Proceedings and Transactions of the Society, limiting 

 them strictly to its scientific work, for a period of five years from the 

 date of the transfer of the collections referred to in preceding Articles. 

 "We believe that the intention of the Government, in using the words 

 ' Kmiting them strictly to its scientific work,' was not to sanction 

 indirectly an enlargement of the sphere of the Society's operations, or 

 the diversion of them into a new channel, but to exclude such publi- 

 cations as might relate to the practical action of the Society in 

 connexion with Agriculture. And if the words be so interpreted, we 

 are far from objecting to the pri\dlege thus accorded to the Eoyal 

 Dublin Society. On the contrary, we regard it as dictated by the 

 kindest feelings, and as a seasonable and thoughtful aid to the 

 Society, whilst reorganising itself on an' independent basis. But we 

 have reason to believe that the intention is entertained by some 

 Members of the Society to take advantage of the word ' scientific,' 

 used in this Article, as if it authorised the printing of matter 

 belonging to abstract, as distinguished from practical Science, and to 

 the exclusion of Industry and Art. This, we beg to represent, cannot 

 be done under the existing Charter of the Society, and we must 

 respectfully express our opinion that it would be a misapplication of 

 public funds to use them for that purpose. 



*'The Council, therefore, humbly submit that the word ' scientific' 

 in Article 4 must be construed as relating, not to abstract Science, but 

 to the practical application of Science in the useful Arts, and that no 

 Papers of the former class, which may be proposed for publication by 

 the Eoyal Dublin Society, should be printed at the public expense, so 

 long, at least, as that Society is governed by its present Charter. And 

 if it should be proposed to grant a new Charter, with such extended 

 powers as have been above referred to, the Council respectfully claim 

 to be allowed to submit to Her Majesty's Government their reasons 

 for objecting to the adoption of such a course. 



"I am. Gentlemen, 



"Your obedient Servant, 



" (Signed) John K. IwaEAM, LL. D., 

 " Secretary of the Council. 



** To THE LOEDS COMMISSIONEES OF HeE MaJESTY's TeEASUET, 



" Whitehall:' 



