ies are overcome
and success made possible of attainment. I am glad to think that
the two great societies I have named have combined to smooth the
way for an institute which will, I trust, be useful to a large
number of the people of Ireland. I hope some day to see in full
working order the institution of which the first stone has been
laid this afternoon. When this is so, the magnificent
collections, which have obtained a wide reputation, will be open
to a public thoroughly capable of appreciating their merit and
deriving advantages from their amalgamation under one roof. The
Museum will worthily face the great library, where the efforts
of a State Department have been successfully combined with a
movement originated by the the citizens, and supported out of
the rates, the object of which is to give free facilities for
reading and study to the people of this metropolis. I am glad to
have been assisted to-day by the councils of the great societies
to which I have referred. To them, as well as to the visitors of
the Museum, and the trustees of the National Library, I offer my
warm thanks for the kindness of their reception, as well as for
the opportunity they have given me for sharing in a movement
calculated to make Leinster House even more worthy than
heretofore of the pride of the Irish nation, and the admiration
of literary and scientific bodies throughout the world."

After leaving the Leinster House the Royal and Viceregal parties drove
to the Royal University, where another interesting ceremony was
performed. The hall of the University was crowded with a brilliant
concourse of graduates and spectators. Their Royal Highnesses and the
Lord Lieutenant and Countess Spencer were met by the Chancellor, the
Duke of Abercorn, and the Vice-Chancellor, Lord Emly. After their Royal
Highnesses had robed they were conducted to the hall. After all had
taken their seats in the hall, a formal announcement was made by Dr.
Meredith that the Senate had resolved to confer the degree of Doctor of
Laws _honoris causa_ upon His Royal Highness Albert Edward Prince of
Wales, and also the degree of Doctor of Music _honoris causa_ upon Her
Royal Highness Alexandra Princess of Wales, and that their Royal
Highnesses had been graciously pleased to intimate that they would
accept those degrees. The announcement was received with loud applause
by the assembl