XXVI 



Febetjaey 24, 1868. 

 Denis H. Kelly, Esq., D. L., in the Chair. 

 The following papers were read: — 



" On the Eotatory Motion of the Heavenly Bodies by Bev.W. G. 

 Penny, M.A. 



" On Irish Sponges," No. I. By Edward Perceval Wright, M. A. 

 Donations were presented, and thanks voted to the several donors. 



Stated Meeting, Maech 16, 1867. 

 Sir William R. Wilde, Vice -President, in the Chair. 

 The following Eeport of the Council was read, and adopted : — 



Eepoet. 



The past year has been an important and eventful one in the history 

 of the Academy. The Council, in the reports of recent years, took 

 occasion more than once to complain of the insufficiency of the public 

 grant to the Academy ; and the same subject was brought by them 

 under the notice of successive governments. A Select Committee of 

 the House of Commons, in 1864, had strongly stated the claims of the 

 Academy to more liberal aid, and had recommended an additional 

 grant of £1000. In consequence of that recommendation, a sum of 

 £200 annually was in 1865 placed at our disposal, to be expended in 

 the cataloguing and printing of Irish MSS. But several of our de- 

 partments remained in a very unsatisfactory state, for want of the 

 funds required for their efficient working. Her Majesty's Government 

 have lately made the agreeable announcement that the sum of £800, 

 necessary to make up the entire additional annual grant of £1000 

 recommended by the Select Committee, would be included in the 

 estimates to be laid before Parliament in the present year. Eor this 

 increase of our resources we are, we believe, largely indebted to the 

 good offices of his Excellency the Marquis of Abercorn, who, when 

 the President and a deputation from the Academy waited on him,, 

 kindly promised to use his influence with the Government on our 

 behalf. It will be desirable to make some changes in the organization 

 of our departments, for the purpose of deriving the utmost possible 

 advantage from the increased grant, and in particular, to make better 

 provision for the safety of our Library and Museum, and render them 

 more accessible and useful, to the public. The consideration of these 

 improved arrangements will devolve on the new Council, and we are 

 sure they will lose no time in applying themselves to the task. 



We have also much pleasure in stating, that the Government have 

 decided on purchasing the valuable collection of Irish antiquities in 

 the possession of the representatives of our late highly esteemed Yice- 



