32 
Royal Irish Academy. 
archaeology ; but it would be bard indeed to estimate the influence he 
has indirectly exerted in Celtic studies by his advice and assistance. 
It cannot be doubted that, in the general estimation of scholars, 
the reputation of Mr. Hennessy stood very high for the breadth and 
accuracy of his knowledge ; but perhaps even a better claim to their 
kindly memory is the liberality with which he responded to requests 
for aid of any kind : loans of MSS., verifications of text, explanations 
of words or phrases, identifications of persons or localities, everything 
was granted with instant readiness. Perhaps there is' hardly a single 
work on Irish literature or archaeology published for a generation 
that does not contain a grateful acknowledgment of his generously 
accorded help. 
It will scarcely be disputed that the removal from us of his 
familiar figure has taken away one of the land-marks in the history 
of the studies pursued in this Academy. Mr. Hennessy was, probably, 
the last of the older school of students who, by patient application to 
the blurred pages of MSS., have won their way to a knowledge of the 
real contents of Irish literature. His name in the future will form 
no unworthy pendant to those of O'Curry and 0 'Donovan. 
Donations to the Library were announced, and thanks were voted 
to the Donors. 
The Secretary of Council then moved the adoption of the following 
Ee commendations from the Council : — 
£20 to Mr. "W. J. Knowles, to enable him to continue his Investi- 
gation into the Prehistoric Eemains of the Sand-hills of the Coast of 
Ireland. 
£50 to Professor "W. J. SoUas, to assist him in completing his 
Eeport on the Igneous Eocks of Carlingford and County Down. 
£50 to Professor D. J. Cunningham, to assist him in completing 
his Eeport on Brain and Cranial growth. 
£20 to Professor O'Eeilly, to assist him in completing his Investi- 
gations into the Chemical Constitution of the Cambrian Eocks of 
Bray Head. 
The Eecommendations were adopted. 
