Minutes of Proceedings. 67 



The Treasurer reports that there is no feature in the state of the 

 Academy's finances calling for special remark. 



The Council had reason to fear, from a communication received 

 from the Government, that the sum granted annually for the publica- 

 tion of the results of the transcription of Irish MSS. would bo 

 diminished in the coming year. They accordingly made strong repre- 

 sentations to the Government of the essential importance, in the 

 interests of the study of Irish literature, that this Grant should be 

 continued without diminution or suspension, and they are happy to 

 state that the Government, in reply to these representations, have in- 

 timated their intention to continue the Grant as heretofore, without 

 •annexing any other condition than that of having furnished to them, 

 with the yearly estimates, evidence of the continiious progress of the 

 works carried on by the aid of the Grant. 



The scheme which was prepared for the better administration of 

 the Cunningham Fund having been submitted to the Academy and 

 approved by them, was laid before the Master of the Rolls, and re 

 ceived his sanction in its main features. Under the scheme the Council 

 will be enabled to apply the fund more effectually for the purposes 

 which the testator had in view. 



Cunningham Medals were awarded within the past year to the 

 following gentlemen : — To George James Allman, M.D., for his re- 

 searches on Hydrozoa ; to John Casey, LL.D., for his researches in 

 Modern Geometry; to Edward Dowden, LL.D., for his eminent 

 ■services in the field of Shaksperian Criticism ; to Aquilla Smith, 

 M.D., for his works in the department of Irish jSfumismatics. The 

 awards received the cordial approbation of the Academy. The 

 President, on the occasion, so aptly and fully stated the grounds on 

 which the awards were made, as to render it unnecessary to enlarge here 

 •on the merits of the eminent scholars and men of science on whom the 

 Academy bestowed this honourable distinction. 



Eleven Ordinary Members have been elected since the 16th of 

 March, 1 878, viz. :— 



\. Rev. John O'Reilly, C. C. 



2. George L. Cathcart, M. A. 



3. John Browne. 



