290 Presidents Address. 
all in our turn become archzologists, and try to unravel the web 
which inexorable time has thrown over the history of the past: and 
though we may not succeed in our labours to the extent of those 
great antiquaries who have secured so much for us, yet we may even 
aspire to assist them by our efforts. And here I should like to pause 
a moment, and pay a tribute of respect to the memory of three of our 
members who have died since our last meeting. I cannot mention 
the name of Sir Thomas Phillips without saying that to him we owe 
the possession of one of the greatest collections of manuscripts which 
any one man at his own cost ever made. (Hear, hear.) To the wit, 
intellect and urbanity of the Rev. Prebendary Fane all who knew 
him can well testify. (Applause.) We shall find a charming paper 
written by him for the Wiltshire Magazine, (vol. ui. p. 47) on 
Edington Chureh which we hope to visit in our itinerary. The 
assistance which the Rev. E. Wilton has given to this Society will 
cause him to be remembered as an able archeologist, while his gentle, 
loving kindness shall keep his memory fresh in our hearts. (Applause.) 
We do not forget the labours of existing antiquaries and are very 
thankful for their contributions to our Magazine. To the assistance 
of our excellent Secretaries with their untiring zeal, displayed in all 
’ they do, and for all the excellent local as well as county support, do we 
owe our chief success. I might here perhaps allude to the Government 
Historical Commission, which has for its object the elucidation of 
history by a careful examination of papers and docffhents, which for 
the most part have remained until now shut up in the muniment 
rooms of our great county families, and to which, very rightly, access 
could never have been had, except through responsible persons. The 
Commission has visited Wiltshire, and Lord Arundell of Wardour 
has most kindly thrown his store open to them. In their report 
No. 2 is given a list of the principal papers at Wardour. The 
Marquis of Bath has also allowed his fine collection of manuscripts 
and historical documents to be examined, and without a doubt a 
summary of them will be given in their next report. Through the 
energy of Mr. Layard, when first Commissioner of Works, a special 
committee was appointed to draw up and submit to Parliament “a 
list of such regal and other historical tombs or monuments existing ~ 
