324 Royal Irish Academy. 



Mr. President, I have alluded to the high iisefulness which has heen 

 maintained throiighout this century of your Society's existence, 

 although I don't think that I have at all done the subject justice. 

 "We know that all times are not alike — that there are periods when the 

 attainment of distinction is greater than at others. I might recall 

 such names as Hamilton, M'CuUagh, and others — names which are, I 

 assume, familiar to all here present. I will only to-night allude to 

 the name of one Member — one of your Members present, who has 

 conferred upon this Society, as he would upon any learned and dis- 

 tinguished society, lustre and distinction — I refer to your esteemed 

 Chairman, Dr. Ingram. Of course, in alluding to Dr. Ingram, 

 especially upon an occasion such as this, wc would first speak of him 

 in connexion with the first of the three important departments of 

 literature. But Dr. Ingram's attainments and renown are not confined 

 to any one department of literature and arts, or to any one country. 

 His career has spread abroad ; and I feel it must be to him a source of 

 sincere pride, and a source and feeling of real pleasure, to think that he 

 has been enabled to do so much and earn so much distinction. And 

 those feelings of congratulation which we would offer to him on this 

 occasion will be intensified, and offered in the manner most acceptable 

 to him, owing to the fact that his personal qualities have endeared him 

 to all who are brought in contact with him. I know how cordially 

 any such expressions — and I only wish I could express what I desire 

 to indicate on your behalf — I wish I could express that in very adequate 

 language — but I know how cordially any such expressions will be re- 

 ceived by you. But I feel that the want of suitable language is not 

 so serious a drawback on this occasion, because the feeling that ani- 

 mates you is one of affectionate goodwill to Dr. Ingram. I have the 

 greatest possible pleasure in coupling his name with this, the toast 

 of the evening — ' Success to the Eoyal Irish Academy and Dr. 

 Ingram.' " 



Dr. Ingram, in replying, said : — 



" May it please Your Excellency, and Gentlemen, I am very 

 grateful to his Excellency for the very flattering words he has used 

 towards me, and also for the very kind way in which these words 

 have been received by the Members of the Academy. But I must 

 say that his kindness and yours have greatly exaggerated my merits. 



