72 Annual Meeting. 



most valuable part of the work of the society. They hoped to be in a 

 much better position when the negotiations with the Commissioners 

 of Charitable Bequests had come to a conclusion, and they were 

 able to widen the membership of the society. It would mean a 

 reduction in the subscriptions of old members, but that would be 

 compensated for by the increased number of subscriptions and the 

 greater number of people interested in the society. 



The President, in moving the adoption of the report and 

 statement of accounts, said that in spite of the anxious state of 

 pubHc affairs the society had carried cm its work without inter- 

 ruption and with a large measure of success. The lectures had 

 maintained a high average of interest and of value, and had 

 attracted good audiences. Their thanks were due to the gentle- 

 men who had lectured for them. There were two special features 

 in the work of the past year. One was the question which had 

 engaged their attention so long — the re-adjustment of the basis of 

 membership. It had been felt by many of them that the present 

 mode of entry to the society by the purchase of shares was a some- 

 what expensive and inconvenient method and had probably 

 retarded the growth of the society. They had, therefore, been 

 looking for an easier and simpler mode of bringing into their ranks 

 a considerable number of people who ought to be amongst them, 

 and they hoped that their negotiations with the Commissioners of 

 Charitable Bequests would come to a satisfactory termination at 

 an early date. The other question was the encouragement of 

 research. It was a matter for gratification to all the members that 

 the society was sufficiently strong in funds to devote a considerable 

 amount year after year to this very necessary subject. Scientific 

 societies had two main objects — the dissemination and increase of 

 knowledge. For the increase of knowledge the promotion of 

 research was. perhaps the most important of those objects. Their 

 financial position was particularly sound, and they were in safe 

 keeping so long as Mr. Riddell was their treasurer. It was also a 

 matter of satisfaction to them that their Irish manuscripts had 

 attracted the attention of Celtic Scholars, and that they were in 

 possession of manuscripts of very great value. In moving the 



