. By W. L. Barker, Esq. 159 



row of dilapidated cottages, once their residence, and a few mounds 

 of earth, once their arsenal, are the sole vestiges of an era, perhaps 

 the gayest and the most luxurious in the history of Hungerford 



In 1847, the Railway from Reading to Hungerford was opened 

 and in 1862 it was extended to Devizes. 



I am unwilling to bring this imperfect sketch of Hungerford to 

 a conclusion, without cursorily referring to the river Kennet, to 

 which Hungerford owes much of its fame, and which for ever 

 rolls silently at our feet, the connecting link between past and 

 present; the stream which Evelyn pronounced famous for its 

 troutes and crayfish, and which Pope sung as " The Kennet swift, 

 for silver eels renowned." Many centuries ago, the Kennet 

 acquired the reputation which it still maintains. It is the pleasing 

 duty of the inhabitants of Hungerford so prudently to cultivate 

 its natural resources, that its good name may descend untarnished 

 to posterity. 



And now I have done. I regret the lack of subjects of antique 

 interest in the foregoing pages. I regret the sparse and trivial 

 character of much that has been advanced. I regret above all 

 that the archaeological skill which should have distinguished a 

 compilation of this nature, is chiefly "conspicuous by its absence;" 

 but if I have not succeeded in adding to your stock of knowledge, 

 I have increased my own. I have learnt how, in order to appre- 

 ciate the present, it is incumbent to penetrate the past ; how the 

 good or evil actions of mankind reflect credit or disgrace on their 

 descendants ; and how much of what we pride ourselves on know- 

 ing, is due to the strenuous exertions of men, who, forsaking the 

 glittering discoveries of modern times, seek their reputation in the 

 silent abyss of remote ages, and who have raised the science of 

 archaeology to a position second to none in dignity, in interest, and 

 in importance. 



I cannot resume my seat without tendering my cordial thanks to 

 those numerous gentlemen, to whose assistance I have been so 

 largely indebted in the preparation of this paper; and I am not 

 insensible to the kind attention with which it has been received by 

 80 distinguished an audience. 



