Minutes of Proceedings. 81 



" Queen's College, Coek, 



" 2mh Fehrum-y, 1879. 



'' Sir — I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 

 loth instant, enclosing a copy of a Resolution of the Irish MSS. Com- 

 mittee of the Eoyal Irish Academy. This Resolution ignores altogether 

 my answer to their former application, in which I stated that I would 

 write to Professor O'Looney on the subject, and communicate with 

 them when I heard from him. It seems to me to be necessary, there- 

 fore, to remind the Committee of my position in connexion with the 

 subject of the above Resolution. 



"Professor O'Looney laid before the Academy a translation of 

 the whole Leabhar na h-TJidhri, and also translations of the Tain Bo 

 Cuailnge, and several other Tales of the same cycle. Many members 

 of the Academy, and others interested in Irish literature, expressed a 

 wdsh that these translations, especially those of the Tales, should be 

 printed. The Irish MSS. Committee of the time, fully impressed 

 with the importance of providing scholars with such valuable help, 

 proposed to make a beginning by printing the text and translation of 

 Tain B6 Cuailnge. Being desirous of giving any help I could in this 

 useful work, and having myself already printed the text, with a 

 translation, of the principal episode of the Tale in question, I under- 

 took to see Professor O'Looney's work through the press. 



"The progress of the Book necessarily depended, so far as I was 

 concerned, upon my getting proofs from the author. At first consi- 

 derable progress was made ; but Professor O'Looney, considering that 

 he had been badly treated by the Academy, that is, I presume, by the 

 Irish MSS. Committee, in respect of several matters, and if I under- 

 stand him rightly, of this particular work among the number, refused 

 to proceed with the Tain Bo Cuailnge until justice shall have been 

 done him. I have always been ready and willing to perform what I 

 undertook to do, and I am now just as anxious as ever to devote any 

 time that may be necessary to see the Tain Bo Cuailnge through the 

 press; but I decline any further responsibility in the matter. The 

 Committee should apply for the information they seek to Professor 

 O'Looney, who is on the spot, and who alone could give it. I am sui-e 

 he will do so if asked ; and if not, will be able to give a satisfactory 

 reason for his refusal. No one ought to be as anxious, and, I believe. 



