171 



Literature, and Antiquities, to enter into dutiful relation with a Noble- 

 man whose love of learning and brilliant career in its cultivation have 

 shed additional lustre on the honours of his ancient lineage. 



From a small beginning, in the year 1786, our Society has steadily 

 increased in numbers and importance, till it has attained the rank of a 

 national institution ; and while the threefold object of its foundation 

 has opened a wide field for intellectual exercise, it has produced the 

 happy result of bringing together, from time to time, in friendly inter- 

 course and united action, a large portion of the literary public, the variety 

 of whose pursuits, or other accidental differences, might, but for such a 

 medium of communication, have placed them in a condition of antagonism 

 or indifference. 



"With what measure of success the scientific and literary labours of 

 the Academy have been conducted, it is not for its members to pro- 

 nounce. Eut they may be permitted to apprise Your Excellency that in 

 two collateral publications, the " Transactions" and the " Proceedings," 

 are embodied the principal results of their investigations ; and that 

 these journals have a wide circulation at home, and among kindred in- 

 stitutions on the Continent. The creation of a Celtic Museum, un- 

 equalled in extent and variety, and the formation of a Library pecu- 

 liarly rich in Irish Manuscripts, have also marked the growth of our So- 

 ciety. 



The Academy has to record, with a lively sense of gratitude, the 

 encouragement and favour it has received at the hands of successive Chief 

 Governors of Ireland, and especially of Your Excellency's illustrious 

 predecessor, who, himself possessed of the most remarkable gifts and ac- 

 complishments, was ever ready to assist the intellectual labours of others. 

 We earnestly hope that one so noble-hearted and so richly endowed 

 may long be spared to humanity and literature. 



We trust that Your Excellency's administration of the high office 

 committed to you by our beloved and most gracious Sovereign will tend, 

 not only to promote the peace and prosperity of Ireland at large, but 

 also to impart increased vigour and efficiency to her literary institutions ; 

 so that, while as subjects and citizens we enjoy the blessings of living 

 under a just and able ruler, we may as an Academy experience the be- 

 nefit of connexion with a Viceroy who has proved himself an accom- 

 plished scholar and an enlightened statesman. 



To which His Excellency returned the following Answer : — 



Mr. President, and Gentlemen of the Eoyal Irish Academy, — 

 Amongst the various bodies which have presented Addresses to me on 

 my assuming the office of Lord Lieutenant, I can say with truth that I 

 have received none with greater satisfaction than the Eoyal Irish Aca- 

 demy. 



A Society which has with so much success brought together the most 

 distinguished literary and scientific men in Ireland, and whose " Trans- 

 actions" and " Proceedings" enjoy a wide reputation at home and abroad, 



