§ LORD TALBOT DE MALAHIDEpresented a petition from the President and other members of the Royal Hibernian Academy, praying for inquiry into the present inefficient position of the Academy, and for enlarging its constitution. He wished to observe that he did not quite agree with all the statements contained in this petition. He was well acquainted with the petitioners, one of whom was the President of the Academy, a man of considerable distinction in the fine arts, and of considerable standing; and another was the secretary, who had also attained to eminence in that branch of art. It was well known that much discussion had arisen of late as to the management, and much personal difference had been introduced, calculated to mar the good effects of the institution, which during the twenty years of its existence had been of great service in promoting the cause of art in Ireland. He did not think that any good could be done by a Committee or a Commission, which the petitioners suggested, but he hoped the attention of the Government would be given to the matter in order that the management of the institution might be placed upon a satisfactory footing.
§ Petition to lie on the table.