The President’s Address. 7 
the proprietor of one of the best known ancient memorials in this 
county—I won’t mention names—who, taking a party of visitors to 
see it one day, found a party of tourists there before him; and this 
party of tourists—we hope not knowing whom they were addressing 
—sent a very polite message to him requesting him, if possible, to 
lend them a hammer. I trust that this is a myth, or, if not alto- 
gether a myth, that its only possible foundation dates back to a 
period very far distant. But I am certain that Wiltshire must 
stand in a very exceptional position indeed, and I feel that the 
exertions of the Archeological Society have brought about an 
intelligent respect for the memorials of the past which exist in the 
locality. I thank you very much, Mr. Mayor and My Lord Bishop, 
for the kind reception you have given us. In the name of the 
Members of the Institute I heartily thank you. I now beg to call 
upon General Pitt-Rivers to take the chair as President of the 
Meeting. I need say nothing of General Pitt-Rivers for [ am sure 
you must all know there is no one better able to preside over this 
Meeting than he.” 
THE PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. 
Lirut.-Gryerat A, H. Lane-Fox Pirt-Rivers, D.C.L., F.R.S., 
F.8.A., having taken the chair, delivered the following address :— 
* Tt is thirty-eight years since this Society last met at Salisbury, 
a period which has probably been more prolific of scientific discovery 
than any other in the history of this country or of the world. 
Archeology has not fallen short of its sister sciences in the race for 
knowledge, and, although it appears proper that on an oceasion like 
the present my discourse should be general and retrospective, the 
time allotted to me is totally insufficient to enable me to deal 
adequately with the progress that has taken place. Indeed, when I 
consider that Wiltshire is classical ground for the branch of prehistoric 
archeology that I have undertaken to deal with, and that, amongst 
the practical explorers in this Wiltshire field are included the names 
of Aubrey, Stukeley, Hoare, Cunnington, Prestwich, Merewether, 
Thurnam, Warne, Blackmore, Stevens, and A. C. Smith, I almost 
feel that I must owe my present position to the rashness with which 
