55 



foit| §raiforb'. 



By Feedbbick Shttm, P.S.A. 



MT was not until the year 1829, in the city of Rome, that the 

 I ?^ first archaeological institute was formed. Since then nearly 

 every country in Europe has followed suit, and in England almost 

 every county has a society, the main object of which is the study of 

 antiquity in connection with local researches. 



These provincial associations have directly and indirectly accom- 

 plished much good, not only in giving a zest to archaeological 

 pursuits, and in promoting topographical inquiries, but by recording 

 the relics of the past in accurate memoirs and faithful drawings, as 

 well as by afibrding pecuniary assistance to preserve these relics 

 from material decay, and in some instances offering friendly remon- 

 strances to save them from ruthless destruction. 



Foremost among these is the Wiltshire Archaeological Society. 

 This county is rich in the possession of antiquarian objects of pre- 

 eminent interest, and is equally celebrated for a succession of 

 distinguished antiquaries, who, since the days of Aubrey, have been 

 connected with it. JNIany localities in England, formerly unnoticed, 

 and apparently devoid of interest, have become famous, and, in not 

 a few of them, remains of great value have been discovered, and 

 secured for the interest and instruction of future generations. 



The stimulus thus given may, in some cases, have been abused ; 

 the zealous archaeologist is sometimes wont to invest his own par- 

 ticular neighbourhood with fictitious interest and exaggerated im- 

 portance. Visitors' guides and strangers' handbooks aflTord abundant 

 evidence of what I mean — to read them is often a trial of great 

 patience ; what little interest there may be in the natural history, 

 geology, or antiquity of the place is so magnified, and the reference 

 to any historical incidents or personages connected with it so far- 

 fetched, as to excite only ridicule and contempt. Fortunately, there 



