( clsviii ) 



'■■ It is not agreeable to this Academy, nor, we make bold to 

 add, to this JS'ation, that the functions of superintendence and 

 control of Irish affairs still left in the hands of Her Jlajesty's 

 Irish Government should be one by one taken from it, and 

 transferred to English authorities. And • the question will 

 inevitably be raised by the present transaction, whether Her 

 ilajesty's Government did not, in 1868, exercise a wise judg- 

 ment in deciding ' to constitute a separate Department of 

 Science and Aii; for Ireland,' which, as stated by Mr. Vard 

 Hunt, then Chancellor of the Exchequer, should be ' a sister 

 to, and not subordinate to, the English establishment.' 



" It is not alleged that there is anything in our present 

 state or recent proceedings to supply a motive for interference 

 with us. jS"ever has the work of the Academy been carried on 

 with greater energy or industry than at present. All its 

 Departments are in a state of healthy activity. In addition to 

 its former operations, by the aid of the increased grants which 

 it has of late enjoyed, it has stimulated and aided original 

 scientific research, and is multiplying, for the benefit of 

 scholars at home and abroad, copies of the most valuable Celtic 

 Manuscripts. It cannot be alleged that there is any misuse or 

 want of cii'cumspection in applying the funds placed at its dis- 

 posal by the bounty of Parliament. Why, then, should a change 

 be made in its position, offensive to its llembers, and danger- 

 ous to its public usefulness ? 



''The Academy depends, for its reputation among the 

 learned Societies of the world, and for its beneficial influence 

 nt home, without which it had better cease to exist, on the 

 voluntary researches and unpaid personal services of its Mem- 

 bers. Such helps to learning do not flourish except under the 

 conditions of conscious independence, and a continuing sense of 

 security ; and we are convinced that the change against which 

 we protest would, if carried out, be, in a great degree, destruc- 

 tive of the higher motives to scientific and literary exertion in 

 this pai't of Her Majesty's dominions. 



' ' Signed on bcJialf of the Council, 



"'W. Stokes, Presidenty 



