382 



ing, as far as can be at present ascertained, a balance in the Academy's 

 fayour. The Treasurer, however, thinks it right to add, that engage- 

 ments have been entered into for the illustration of the valuable paper 

 recently communicated by Professor Huxley and Dr. Perceval Wright, 

 as well as for other publications, which will seriously limit the sum to 

 be spent in that department for the ensuing year, unless additional 

 funds can be provided. 



At the date of the last Report, we had addressed to the Lords Com- 

 missioners of Her Majesty's Treasury a Memorial, praying for an 

 increased public grant to the Academy. This Memorial was founded 

 on the Report of the Select Committee of the House of Commons on the 

 Scientific Institutions of Dublin, in which the strongest testimony had 

 been borne to the value of the work done by the Academy, to the 

 learning and ability displayed in its " Transactions," and to the na- 

 tional importance of its Museum and Library. The result of the Me- 

 morial was an addition of £200 to the annual grant provided for in the 

 estimates; this sum being appropriated to the encouragement of the 

 study of ancient Irish manuscripts, by forming catalogues, and pro- 

 curing translations of them, and making them available for public use, 

 While we gratefully acknowledge this addition to our resources, which 

 will enable us to promote an important and ill-rewarded branch of 

 research, we must at the same time repeat our former statement, 

 that without further assistance from Parliament we cannot accomplish 

 in a really satisfactory manner the objects of our institution. Not 

 only do we find difficulty in printing and illustrating the papers read 

 before the Academy, but the want of an adequate staff prevents our 

 affording to the public such facilities as would be desirable for reading 

 in our Library, and studying the treasures of art and antiquity contained 

 in our Museum. 



When the additional grant above mentioned became available in 

 December last, the Council lost no time in taking steps to carry out the 

 objects for which it was made. After careful consideration, they ap- 

 pointed as Irish scribe to the Academy, Mr. Joseph O'Longan, having 

 fully satisfied themselves of his capacity to execute the duties of that 

 post. 



Considering that the first and most important step to be taken was the 

 completion of the Descriptive Catalogue of the Academy's Irish MSS,, 

 they at once committed this task to Mr. O'Longan, and also secured the 

 valuable services of Professor Owen Connellan. 



Progress has already been made in preparing Irish texts for the 

 press, and in continuing the Catalogue of MSS. from the point at 

 which it was left unfinished by the late Professor 0' Curry. These 

 works are carried on under the personal inspection of the Librarian, and 

 a special committee of the Council has been appointed for the manage- 

 ment of the business of this department. 



We have lost by death, within the year, two Honorary Members,- 



