8 



REPORT OF 



the object of the antiquary is different from that of the natural 

 philosopher, the method which he follows is the same. He 

 also is a collector of facts ; and the facts which he records for 

 the use of the moralist and the statesman, are spread over a no 

 less extended geographical surface, and are to be amassed in 

 like manner by combining and directing the industry of many 

 persons. A history of the antiquities of Yorkshire has been 

 already stated to be one of the professed objects of the Society, 

 and the Council has been advised by the Curator of that 

 department that a plan is now proposed for carrying the object 

 into effect. The Members who cultivate this branch of research 

 have in consequence been requested to form a Committee, for 

 the purpose of inviting and collecting topographical, and other 

 antiquarian information from all parts of the county ; a task of 

 which the nature will be best explained in the words of the 

 learned Curator. ^ 



" There are not only in this ancient city and its neighbour- 

 hood, but in every part of the great county of York, many 

 most interesting remains of days gone by, with which matters 

 of history, both general and local, public and private, are con- 

 nected, which are continually suffering from the silent ravages 

 of time, or exposed to the danger of being swept entirely away 

 by the unsparing hand of improvement. There are Druidical 

 circles, and sepulchral tumuli ; ancient roads, and artificial 

 boundaries ; Roman camps ; Saxon or Danish earth-works, 

 and Norman baronial castles ; there are ruins of religious 

 houses, and decaying churches ; monumental tablets, and 

 sculptured effigies ; with many other things perishable in their 

 nature, but connected with deeds and persons, the memory of 

 which ought niot to pass away, and which can be preserved 

 only in the faithful records of the antiquary. 



The Rev. Charles WelHjeloved. 



