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ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY.

PRESENTATION OF MEDALS AWARDED BY COUNCIL.

[MARCH 16TH, 1862.]

THE President, the Very Rev. Dean Graves, having presented the

Cunningham Medal to the Rev. Dr. Lloyd, for his researches in physical optics and magnetism; to Mr. Whitley Stokes, for his work on Irish Glosses, edited for the Irish Archæological Society; to Mr. Robert Mallet, for his researches into the theory of earthquakes; and to Mr. John Gilbert, for his "History of the City of Dublin,"

The EARL OF CARLISLE said:

MR. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN,

I feel sure that I shall command the unanimous assent of the assembly which I have the honour to address, in submitting to them a proposal for requesting the Very Rev. the Dean of the Chapel Royal to permit the able, interesting, and instructive address or addresses which he has just delivered to be printed. It would be at once beside the purpose and beyond my power to travel again over the ground which has been so fully and luminously explored by him. Most of all should I shrink from entering upon the domain of Dr. Lloyd's researches and discoveries. Of a truth indeed I can say,

"Ne has possum naturæ accedere partes

Frigidus obsteterit circum præcordia sanguis."

I will only say, it is not possible to hear or think of Dr. Lloyd without being reminded that even the severe studies and loftier views of science seem, in his case, to be almost effaced by the modest and unassuming graces of his demeanour, character, and life. With reference to Mr. Mallet, whom I think, Sir, you next touched upon, he seems to be to the earthquake something of what Dr. Franklin was to the lightning; but though he has shown himself able to detect and track its footsteps, I fear he will not be equally enabled to arrest or intercept its force. The President has eloquently remarked that Mr. Mallet has "followed

the course of those tremendous breakers which have rolled in upon the trembling shores, even at vast distances from the points where the ocean bed has been agitated by subterraneous commotion." Our language seems hardly dignified enough for such magnificent ideas; and if Horace had been alive, he would have called Mr. Mallet Gaiecochos Ennosigaios. The President, I think, next touched upon Dr. Stokes, and I am sure our worthy President was quite in his element when he dilated upon Irish philology; and most pleasing it is, indeed, to find the son of a father who has done so much to lighten suffering and prolong life, himself showing so much bright promise in the cultivation of those pursuits and humanities which so powerfully contribute to dignify and adorn it. I am sure we shall hail with pleasure the promising career of such a son of such a father. With respect to Mr. Gilbert, I feel it most gratifying to have our attention directed to so full and accurate a history of the city in which most of the assembly whom I see before me are now living-in which I myself have spent many eventful and I may add many happy years; and I anticipate great additional interest to the walks, and rides, and drives which I may happen to take, by having it in my power to learn more of those objects of antique association, or of historical record, with which the capital and its delightful environs are so copiously studded. I only feel warranted in saying further, that the pleasure with which I find myself among the members of this dignified society is greatly enhanced on this occasion by our being met under the presidency of the Very Rev. Dean, in whom, besides his special adaptation for those immediate stations and pursuits which belong to this institution, I have found, by competent experience, as complete a proficiency in all the branches of polished learning, in the amenities of social intercourse, in true kindness and impartiality of judgment, in the benevolence and consistency of the whole Christian character. I beg to conclude with moving that the address to which we have listened to-night should be printed.

MEDICAL EDUCATION.

LAYING THE FIRST STONE OF THE NEW COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS.

[JULY 8TH, 1862.]

R. CORRIGAN, President, said:

DR.

We feel proud of the presence of your Excellency as our Viceroy, the representative of our Queen, and of such a Queen. No further expression of eulogy will I attempt; for no words of mine could adequately convey the feelings of loyalty to her throne, and of devotion to Her Majesty, which we cherish. Although engaged in the pursuit of a science which presents few opportunities for the adornments of literature, we hope we are not the less capable of appreciating those literary attainments which add lustre to rank, and when, moreover, past and present unite to twine together the names of MORPETH and CARLISLE, we feel that we have indeed many good reasons to make us gratified and proud of your Excellency's presence. The King and Queen's College of Physicians in Ireland is one of our oldest corporations, having obtained its original Charter from Charles I. The Charter under which we are at present incorporated was granted by William and Mary, and hence the name which our College bears, "The King and Queen's College of Physicians." By a recent Act of Parliament we are privileged to assume the title of "Royal," but we are so much attached to the name of "Queen," that we have determined not to avail ourselves of the privilege, but to retain our present title.

The EARL OF CARLISLE, having been requested to lay the first stone of the New College, said :

DR. CORRIGAN, LADIES, AND GENTLEMEN,

I consider it both an honour and happiness to perform my part in the good work of laying the foundation of the New Hall of the King and Queen's College of Physicians in Ireland. This city of Dublin is not without its fair allowance of comely architectural buildings, whether for the purpose of business, of pleasure, of learning, or charity. But, surely, none can have been raised for a nobler or more benevolent

end than that which we are here met to inaugurate. The immediate site on which we stand has, till very recently, been applied to the uses of social intercourse and good fellowship. We grudge them not the ampler space and proportions which they have now obtained hard by; but, certainly, if to soothe and to save life is a higher function than merely to enjoy it, this spot will lose nothing of interest or dignity in its new consecration. Glad I therefore must justly be to find myself in any way united with the objects and members of a profession who fill so exalted a place in the service of humanity. Among the medical body of Dublin it has been my happy fortune to know many who have coupled their special professional gifts with all the qualifications that can exalt, and all the graces that can adorn our life. I think it a happy omen for the work of this day that the profession has found a president so entirely worthy to represent it as Dr. Corrigan. May the blessings of the Most High rest on this undertaking. May those who fill a high place in the medical profession of this country be evermore associated with the high ability and conscientious worth which have heretofore rendered it illustrious, and which have attracted to this city from all shores crowds who deemed it a privilege to sit at their feet and profit by their lessons; and may the building of which we have just laid the first stone ever take within and send without its portals a long succession of pupils and students, who shall carry from those honoured walls the learning, the skill, and the devotedness which shall soothe suffering, prolong life, and increase the happiness of the coming generation.

DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES AND CERTIFICATES-DR. STEEVENS' HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL COLLEGE.

[NOVEMBER 7TH, 1862.]

DR. HAMILTON, Honorary Secretary to the institution, having read

the Report of the Committee,

The EARL OF CARLISLE said:-
:-

GENTLEMEN,

I can assure you that I feel a very high degree of satisfaction at having been intrusted with the honourable function which I have this

day discharged. It is very gratifying thus to meet within the boundaries of an institution first founded by an eminent member of the medical profession, and completed by womanly love and piety, and whose whole subsequent history has been marked by a series of splendid services to the most suffering class of mankind-the sick poor. It is very satisfactory to reflect that this noble institution has not exhibited any symptoms of stagnation within mere prescribed routine; but, on the contrary, during the past few years, the Governors have most promptly and efficiently acted upon the recommendation submitted to them for the foundation of a Medical School, of which to-day we see some of the happy and promising fruits. It is also pleasing to see, in the number and character of the company here assembled, a testimony to the interest which all classes, independently of those immediately connected with the place and the profession, take in the credit and success of this establishment, and indeed in the general progress of medical science. I do not, however, forget, in consequence of the part which I am called upon to take in the daily business of the country, what valuable assistance this Hospital is constantly rendering to that admirable body of men, the Constabulary Force of this country, whom the wear and tear of duty, exposure to weather, varied by accidents and injuries, render most proper subjects for its treatment; and I will only further mention, among the many claims for interest and sympathy, the touching circumstance connected with the Medals-which I cannot say I have this day delivered, but which are represented by the papers which I have put into the hands of the successful students-that they have been provided by the liberality and filial piety of Mr. Cusack, who thus prolongs the connexion between this Hospital and his honoured father, who, during his illustrious life, was its main support and ornament. Gentlemen, the prizemen of this day, whom I have now the pleasure to see immediately before me, will not need, at all events from lips so uninstructed as mine, any further incentive or panegyric, beyond the honourable certificates of their merit which they have just received. In the military and naval professions, the stars and crosses which glitter upon the breasts of their heroes do not merely serve as a recognition of their past achievements, but also supply an assurance that in any future hour of their country's danger she may confidently rely upon them for their voices in council and their arms in fight. And with respect to the Medals which you shall shortly receive, I feel that they may equally be re

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