72 



cliiefly discernible from the genuine article by the clumsiness 

 of the imitation. The Members were not permitted to wander 

 through the museum without guidance. Dr. Blackmore 

 and Mr. Edward F. Stevens, the curators, veiy kindly gave all 

 the information that was required, the latter especially being 

 indefatigable in his exertions to describe the contents of the 

 cases. Two hours w^ere most profitably spent here, and all 

 left with a certain sense of oppression at the immense mass 

 of information ^vhich was most mercilessly hurled at their 

 heads by their courteous and enthusiastic cicerone, and more 

 than one came away with the suspicion that civilisation has 

 been hitherto attributed to the wrong end of the human chain. 

 Were these the weapons and tools of barbarians, or of a race 

 as civilised, according to their opportunities, as we are, if not 

 more so ? 



It only remains to be added that the Blackmore Museum 

 was opened to the Members by special permission, the public 

 not being as yet admitted until the whole collection is 

 entirely finished. Constant additions are still being made, 

 and in a few months an opportunity will be afforded of 

 seeing one of the most perfect collections of this kind in 

 Europe. Carriages were taken from the museum for Old 

 Sarum, Lake House, and Stonehenge ; the former is familiar 

 to most. The immense size of its earthworks appears to 

 grow with every visit rather than diminish. The mind, how- 

 ever, seems satisfied with the feelinof that it knows all about 

 this structure. History speaks plainly here, and facts, not tra- 

 ditional myths, give a certain sound ; and so the Members 

 pass on, over, and through the works. Lake House, which was 

 courteously opened for the occasion, caused a short delay. 

 The proprietor, the Rev. E. Duke, displayed in his hall the 

 various curiosities which had been collected from the adjacent 

 tumuli, amongst which as the most interesting may be men- 

 tioned an ornament for the neck, or moi'e probably the waist, 



