xlii 
Appe7idix. 
tion de rAcademie comme grand corps de I'Etat, rctenu par des liens 
tout a fait speciaux. 
La plus stricte neutraliU doit presider a nos actes et nous ne 
pouvons que faire des voeux pour que votre voix soit entendue, afin de 
prevenir les desastres que vous redoutez a juste titre. 
Yeuillez agreer, Monsieur le Secretaire, I'assurance de mes sen- 
timents les plus distingues. 
Le Secretaire perpetml, 
Qtjetelet." 
[Translation.] 
''Eetjssels, I2th Decemher, 1870. 
''Mr. Seceetaey — You have solicited the co-operation of the 
Academy to the address which the Eoyal Irish Academy has addressed 
to the Government of Her Eritannic Majesty, on the subject of the 
irreparable loss which the bombardment of Paris would cause, from the 
point of view of Science, of Literature, and of Art. 
' ' I had the honour to lay your communication before the Class of 
Science at the meeting of Saturday, the 3rd of this month. The Class, 
while congratulating you on your laudable intentions concerning the 
interests of Science, which are common to all peoples, sees itself, with 
regret, unable to satisfy your demand, in consequence of the position 
of the Academy, as a great body in the State, held by ties quite 
special. 
''The most strict neutrality should govern our acts, and we can 
only hope that your voice may be heard, so as to prevent the disasters 
which, with good reason, you dread. 
"Please accept, Mr. Secretary, of my sentiments the most distin- 
guished. 
' ' The Perpetual Secretary, 
"A. Qtjetelet. 
"To Mr. SuLLivAi^, 
" Secretary to the R. I. A., Dublin.'''' 
[Translation.] 
The Academy of History, Mad/rid. 
' ' Madeid, \^th December, 1870. 
"The Academy of History has had the pleasure of receiving a copy 
of the memorial, which the Eoyal Irish Academy has forwarded to 
the Government of Her Britannic Majesty, praying that they might 
interpose their friendly representations in order that the Scientific, 
Literary, and Artistic monuments, which Paris contains, and which 
may be considered as the common property of the whole civilized 
