266 The Twenty-Fourth Annual Meeting. 
4 
occupying, has taken especial interest—the preservation of Ancient 
Monuments. There may be certain difficulties in fixing the’ precise 
limits of the measure which he so warmly advocates, but in the 
general objects of it he is sure to be supported by the great body of 
archeologists. A valuable list has been made (under the joint 
direction of the Society of Antiquaries and Board of Works) of all 
Historical Monuments known to exist throughout every county. 
This is an important help to let us know at all events what we have 
got. Many of these are in a state of dilapidation simply from un- 
certainty as to who ought to repair them, and in Wiltshire we have 
to lament the damage, I might almost say the destruction of one of 
the most curious monuments in the world, that at Avebury, near 
Marlborough. These very ancient monuments of earthwork and 
mighty stones, will, of course, be more interesting to some people 
than to others, and it is quite possible that many care nothing about 
them. But that is not exactly the question. They are, in a national 
point of view, so many evidences that ours was an inhabited country 
in remote ages. Something like the pedigree and title-deeds of a 
private gentleman, they prove ancient descent and possession. The 
old title deeds may, perhaps, not be very legible, nor may they be 
wanted for any purpose of modern legal use: but their very age 
obtains for them a certain care and respectful veneration. It is to 
be hoped, at all events, that failing any legislative enactment for 
the preservation of our National Monuments, public attention may 
have been so far called to the subject, that some good may be done. 
Though we may not be able to replace what has been destroyed, the 
spirit of further destruction and of wanton injury may be checked. 
Sir Joun Lupsock begged to propose a vote of thanks to the 
noble Marquis, on behalf of the meeting, for his interesting and 
suggestive Address. It was one which naturally appealed to all 
of those present, because he supposed there was not one there who 
did not feel a great interest in archeological science. Lord Bath 
had brought forward a number of well-chosen illustrations, and he 
trusted the result would be to increase their interest, and through 
the press, that of many others, in the prosperity of their Society. 
Lord Bath reminded them that he was president when they met at 
