328 Royal Irish Academy. 



these texts is to make more and more indispensable the production of 

 a really good Irish dictionary, and the Council has undertaken thi& 

 task. But it cannot be achieved without a vast amount of more or 

 less mechanical labour, done under competent supervision, and the 

 requisite funds to employ this labour are not forthcoming. I heartily 

 Avish some wealthy Irishman, emulating the noble liberality of 

 Guinness and of lioe, would come forward and supply the means, 

 and thus connect his name for ever with this great national enterprise. 

 But, failing such intervention, the Council must proceed — however 

 slowly — with the work, hoping that the Government will, ere long, 

 see the propriety of pushing it forward by more effectual aid than i& 

 furnished by the present manuscript grant. There is no fear of want 

 of useful work to be done by Irishmen in the future, and I am con- 

 fident there will be no lack of the intellectual ability required to do 

 it. I am one of those Avho believe in a large undeveloped fund of 

 Irish genius and talent, and I hope this Academy will always be one 

 of the most potent agencies for evoking and encouraging it, and 

 directing it to the highest and Avorthiest ends." 



There was also a Conversazione on Thursday Evening, May 13, 

 which was given in the Acaclemv House. 



