Xxii REPORT FROM THE SELECT COMMITTEE 12 to 16 months, and the lesult was, that a body of observations on the tides, of the highest importance, was obtained; Ireland being a peculiarly interesting country as regards meteorological and tidal observations, having Atlantic weather and Ocean tides on one side, and Channel weather and Channel tides on the other.
5454« The Rev.
Mr.
Jellett, who wTas examined as the representative of the Science
Department of the Academy, stated that there was great difficulty in illustrating the papers that are published, from the expense attending such illustration.
This discourages the bringing forward valuable papers on natural science.
The same witness recommended, if circumstances permitted, that the Academy should give assistance to persons engaged in valuable scientific researches which involve considerable expense.
The requirements of the different departments of the Academy, to enable it to carry on its work with efficiency, are as follows, according to the estimate handed in by the President: —
1.
For the preparation of Scientific Reports on the Irish £.
Tides, Terrestrial Magnetism, Meteorology, &c, including cost of instruments, and grants to observers 200 2.
Salary to an Irish Scribe, including cataloguing and
printing Irish manuscripts -----200 3.
Salary to a Museum Clerk, purchase of Antiquities,
cost of making Casts and Photographs, to be ex¬ changed with other collections -200 4.
Salary to a Library Clerk, with cost of Books, and
Binding -_-__-__ 200' 5.
Printing and illustrating' the Transactions and Pro-
ceedmers -.__-.__-.
200
Total Amount of required increase to present Annual Grant of 5001.
-£.
1,000 Your Committee cannot conclude their notice of the Royal Irish Academy without remarking that this Society has had upon its lists, since its foundation, almost every man in Ireland distinguished in abstract science, in the sciences of experiment and observation, in literature, and in archaeology.
It has illus¬ trated the history and character of its own country by works of originality and importance.
It has further illustrated and awakened an interest in that his¬ tory by its Museum of Irish Antiquities.
The liberality of its members in con¬ tributing to these objects is deserving of remark.
As a peculiarly national institution, it has no ordinary claims for support in carrying out its present work, and for encouragement in extending it.
Your Committee have also agreed to the following Resolutions, upon which they will now proceed to comment :—
Resolved,— I.
That it would be injurious to the interests of the public that the Museum of Irish Industry should be suppressed, or amalgamated with the Royal Dublin Society.
II.
That whether the Museum of Irish Industry be placed on the same footing-as that of Jermyn-street, or whether its functions be extended, it may be made as an independent institution of great utility to Ireland.
III.
That the Museum of Irish Industry is distinct from the Royal Dublin Society, as being a public institution, supported by public funds solely for the use of the public, directed by a permanent scientific head, responsible to the Government, and administered exclusively by scientific men, selected on grounds of fitness.
, That the Royal Dublin Society, founded by Royal Charter, is composed of a number of subscribing members, and is so far a private body, the members of which have some preferential privileges; it is directed by a Council, whose members are fluctuating, and have no individual responsibility, and it is administered by committees of the same nature as the CoimciL "
IV.
That
