208 Royal Irish Academy. 



Monday Evening, JuifE 12, 1882. 



SiE SAirtJEL TEEGrsoN', Q.c, LL.D., President, in the Chair. 



The President ajinonnced that he and Members of the Academy 

 were received by His Excellency Earl Spencer on the 27th May, when 

 the Address adopted at the last meeting Tvas presented by the President, 

 to Trhich His Excellency made the following reply : — 



^'I receive with very great pleasure the Address of the President 

 and Members of the Eoyal Irish Academy. 



" You refer to the character of the circumstances under which I 

 return to the position of Her Majesty's humble representative in 

 Ireland. I can assure you that I fully appreciate the difficulty of 

 these circumstances and the arduous nature of the task to which I 

 have undertaken to devote strenuous efforts and thoughtful care. The 

 knowledge which I have ali'eady acquired of Irishmen leads me to the 

 belief that the mass of the people of this country share your hatred of 

 the crimes which have recently been committed. To free all classes 

 from the illegal combinations which have for many months exercised 

 a baneful influence in the country, and to leave honest men liberty of 

 action and the privilege of living peaceably with their neighbours, 

 are the objects which the Government have deeply at heart. 



''If they are supported in this, they may hope to see a speedy 

 return of peace, and, ere long, a renewed development of the great 

 resources which this country unquestionably enjoys. 



" I am well aware of the value of your labours in the past, and I 

 appreciate the high position occupied by your Society. Under every 

 condition of affairs the cultivation of literature and science contributes 

 much to national advancement and the improvement of national cha- 

 racter. 



" I hope for the speedy return of the time when you may devote 

 your undisturbed attention to the objects of your Charter, for I feel 

 sure that the more true knowledge is extended in Ireland the more 

 universal will be the abhorrence of intimidation and crime, and the 

 greater the value set upon justice and peace." 



Mr. J. R. Garstin, f.s.a., read a Paper '' On Pictures of the Meet- 

 ing of Irish Volunteers in College Green." 



