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details of past events which hardly rise to the dignity of history, 
but which derive a special interest from our residence upon 
the scene, members whose observations upon our remains of 
bygone man are rendered useful and worthy of record in our 
Transactions through their previous preparatory studies in 
what are called Topography and Antiquities. To those who have 
not adopted this latter branch of our subject, and to those more 
newly joined members who wish to add something to our useful- 
ness, I have, without pretending to teach those at whose feet I 
ought to sit as a learner, prepared to address some remarks on 
what the study of Topography is, and on what can be done 
in the subject by one who brings the requisite temper and 
industry. 
Topography has in England acquired a definite intention, and a 
rank among men’s studies to which the subject has not attained 
in foreign countries. Topography is descriptive of a portion of 
the globe as Geography is of the whole, but Topography stoops 
over the microscope while Geography extends her powers with 
the telescope. Topography, like History, tells also the order of 
events, but she differs from both these sister studies in her dealings 
being merely with baronies, parishes, lords of the manor, and 
rectors of the church, while she has nothing to say of continents, 
empires, kings or popes. Foreign accounts abound of great cities 
and dynastic genealogies ; all these belong rather to Geography or 
to History than to Topography, and as to the latter the experience 
of every tourist proves that, in place of sound topography, the 
minute information he may usually receive of a parish or village 
abroad proves to be nothing of more worth than a pack of so 
ealled legends, such as any hired driver could invent to amuse 
his fare. I confess I am utterly sick of Keltic demons and 
Teutonic robber knights. In England some of our ablest historians 
and naturalists have been true Topographers. The study which 
had its birth with Leland and Lambarde, and which claims 
Camden and Dugdale among its devotees may hold up its head 
