Various Dublin societies.

Various Societies.**

Farming Society**. - This society was instituted in 1800, and incorporated by royal charter 1815. Its objects are the improvement of agriculture and live stock, and the growth of timber. Of this institution, so important in such a country as Ireland, the late Marquis of Sligo was the founder. It is directed by a president, a vice-president, and 21 directors;- five of whom are changed every year: candidates are elected by ballot.

Besides this establishment at Summer Hill, Dublin, there is a depot at Balinasloe, in Connaught, where they hold annual meetings, during the time of the fair, from the fifth to the ninth of October. The house at Summer Hill though not distinguished by architectural ornament, is convenient for its purposes it contains the apartments of the inferior officers, with a Board-room and Library.

There is a small garden at the rear for the preservation of specimens of grass; an enclosure surrounded by sheds, in which the spring show of fat cattle is held; and an auction-house, for the sale of fine wool. There is, besides, a factory for making all kinds of implements connected with husbandry, according to the latest improvements. To encourage the breed of cattle, the society have an annual spring show, of black cattle, sheep, and swine; on which occasion premiums are distributed; and, by an adjudication of rewards for broad cloth manufactured in Ireland, from Irish wool, cloth of an excellent description has already been produced.

The society is supported by occasional grants from Parliament, donations, and the subscriptions paid by members on their admission. The principal officers are a Secretary and Registrar. **

Royal Irish Academy**.- As early as 1683, the celebrated Mr. Molyneaux endeavoured to establish a society, similar to the Royal Society of London; yet though fostered by the protection of Sir W. Petty, its president, it was but of five years continuance. In 1744, the Physico-Historical Society was instituted, whose chief object was, to inquire into the antiquities of Ireland; and, under their auspices, some statistical surveys were made. At length, after fruitless efforts, in 1782, a number of gentlemen, chiefly members of the university, associated together, for the purpose of promoting *general *and useful knowledge; and, in 1786, a patent was granted for the incorporation of the Royal Irish Academy, to promote the study of polite literature, science, and antiquities. It consists of a patron (his Majesty), a visitor (the Lord-Lieutenant), a president, four vice-presidents, a treasurer, two secretaries, and a council of twenty-one, which is subdivided into three committees-the first, of science; the second, of polite literature; the third, of antiquities.

The committee of science meet the first Monday, the committee of polite literature, the second, and the committee of antiquities, the third, and the Academy at large on the fourth Monday of every month, at eight o’clock in the evening. The academy is on the west side of Grafton-street, opposite the Provost’s house. In addition to a large apartment for meetings of the society, ornamented by portraits of Lord Charlemont and Mr. Kirwan, the mineralogist, it is furnished with a tolerable library, in which are to be found three Irish MSS. of very ancient date - the Book of Lecan, the Book of Balimote, and a MS. called the Speckled Book of M’Egan. The members can consult the books at pleasure. The society occasionally bestow premiums for the best essays on given subjects, and persons not members are at liberty to become competitors. These compositions from their Transactions, which now amount to twelve or fourteen quarto volumes of exceedingly interesting matter. Members are elected by ballot, and an entrance fee of five guineas is required, with a subscription of two guineas per annum. There are 180 members. Parliament grants to this Institution 7001. per annum. **

Kirwanian Society**.- This society, formed in 1812, bestows its name from that great chemist and mineralogist Kirwan its objects are, the advancement of chemistry, mineralogy, and all other branches of natural history. The subscription is one guinea per annum **

Iberno-Celtic Society**. - This association met December 11th, 1808, in a regular manner, for the preservation of the venerable remains of Irish literature, by collecting and publishing the numerous fragments of laws, history, topography, poetry, and music of ancient Ireland; for the elucidation of the language, antiquities, and customs of the Irish people, and the encouragement of works tending to the advancement of Irish literature.

To promote the objects for which this society has been formed, attempts have been made, many years since, and by individuals of wealth and talent. Edmund Burke caused the Seabright MSS. to be deposited in the library of Trinity college, for that purpose: General Valancy, (author of the Irish Grammar, and of the Collectanea de Rebus Hibernicis) and the learned Dr. Young (Bishop of Clonfert) are to be found amongst the assistants to this desirable object. In 1808, the Society published a volume of Transactions. The terms of admission as a member are 24s. per annum, or 2s. 2*d. *per month. The Lord Lieutenant is patron, and the Duke of Leinster president. **

Dublin Institution**. - This institution was opened 1811, in a spacious house in Sackville-street; 15,000l. having been raised upon 300 transferable debentures, at 50l. each. With this sum a library was established, a lending library added, a lecture-room fitted up in a handsome style, with a philosophical apparatus, and a lecturer in Natural History appointed. The first, and part of the second floor, is occupied by the library; the parlours are used as news-rooms. The number of members is about 600, part proprietors and part subscribers; and the subscription is three guineas per annum. The lectures in Natural Philosophy have been discontinued, and the lecture-room latterly let to a Methodist congregation. Proprietors, paying one guinea per annum, have the privilege of introducing a visitor, not generally residing in Dublin, for one month. **

Dublin Library Society**. - The origin of this now numerous society can be traced to the meeting of a few persons at a bookseller’s, No. 80 Dame-street, to read newspapers and new publications. Growing too numerous, they removed, in 1791, to a house in Eustace-street, and assumed the name and form of a regular society. The gradual increase of members requiring a still larger house, on the 5th January, 1809, they removed to No. 2 Burgh-quay, near Carlisle-bridge, one of the most central situations in the city; and on 18th Sept. 1820, to a neat and elegant edifice, with a stone front, erected purposely for their use, in D’Olier-stroet, but a few yards from their former situation. This very pretty and convenient structure was built by Messrs. Henry, Mullins, and M’Mahon, after a design by G. Papworth, Esq.; the original contract was for 4,8001.; but alterations, &c. increased the total expense to 5,5941. 11s. 21 d. The library, which is very extensive, cost upwards of 8,0001.; and is admirably chosen. It is open every day from ten till five, and from seven till ten. There is also a reading-room, with English, Scotch, Irish, French, and American newspapers. The business of the society is conducted by a president, four vice-presidents, and a committee of twenty-one, chosen annually from amongst the members, by ballot, besides a treasurer, librarian, and assistant. Terms, for the first year, two guineas, afterwards one. Every member is admitted to the advantage of the lending or circulating library, on paying one guinea per annum additional. The number of subscribers is about 1,500.

Marsh’s Library. - In 1694, Dr. Narcissus Marsh. Archbishop of Dublin, established a public library in the vicinity of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, for which purpose he purchased Dr. Stillingfleet’s collection of books. The library-room consists of two galleries, meeting at a right angle; and in this angle is the librarian’s room, who, consequently, has a view of, the entire library at once. The Stillingfleet collection is in one of the galleries; and donations, and modern productions, in the other. To gain admission, a certificate, or introduction is necessary.

The library is open every day from 11 to 3, Sundays and holidays excepted: it is under the government of trustees, appointed by act of parliament, who make annual visits. The situation of this library is so very inconvenient and remote from the respectable part of the city, and the books it contains so obsolete, that the public do not derive much advantage from it. Amongst the MSS. are twelve volumes illustrative of the History of Ireland, the Repertorium Viride, the Liber Niger of Archbishop Alan, &c.

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