6 General Account of Inaugural Meeting. 
Mr. Heneacr, M.P.—I am sure, in his Lordship’s presence, I 
shall best consult his feelings, and also the feelings of all the 
persons present, by simply saying that his Lordship, from his 
position in this county, and from his talents and acquirements, is 
the fittest person we could select to preside over this Society. 
The Marquis of Lanspowne—This is a motion which I can 
hardly put to the meeting. I may say, however, that I am 
extremely happy to accept the office which your kindness disposes 
you to confer on me, notwithstanding that it is one of which I 
consider myself unworthy, having but little knowledge of those 
pursuits, which it is the object of this Society to follow out. At the 
same time I feel equally flattered by the distinction you propose to 
confer upon me by electing me as its Patron, although I feel that the 
office must, in a great measure, be a nominal one. You all know 
that in these times the real patron of any Society like this, must be 
the public. If it is well supported by the public it will flourish ; 
and if not, the influence of no individual can give it permanency. 
(Cheers.) Tam glad to be here this day, to see the very general 
disposition to support the Society on the part of the public, repre- 
sented as it is by the gentlemen present, and also, I am happy to 
say, by the ladies, in whose hands the research into subjects of 
antiquity may be as well prosecuted as in the hands of gentlemen, 
and who may therefore contribute to the welfare of a Society 
established now, for the first time, in this county—a county which 
undoubtedly does afford as much invitation for such an establishment 
as any county in England, inasmuch as we all know there is 
not a barrow opened that does not tell its own tale, nor an excavation 
made which does not reward the industry and enterprise of its 
conductors. The question that I conceive to be of the greatest 
importance to you now is, not who shall be the Patron, but who 
shall be the President ; and I do hope you will very shortly place 
that presidency into the best hands. (Cheers.) 
Mr. Sorneron, M.P.—I have been requested to propose a 
resolution, upon which, perhaps more than on any other, I think the 
efficiency of this Society will depend, and I hope in doing so I shall 
justify your reasonable expectations. I wish I had time, or ability, 
to express the universal sense of all, who take an interest in this 
Society, of the peculiar and eminent qualifications of Mr. Scrope for 
the office of President. (Loud applause.) I might remind you of 
what Mr. Scrope has written and done. I might mention that, of 
which most indeed must be aware, namely, that there is hardly any 
department of the science of Archeology with which he is not 
perfectly acquainted, and that in many branches of Natural History 
he holds, not only in this county, but thr oughout the country, a high 
and distinguished position. I might also state that there is scarcely 
any social “question —whether the parties concerned in it be rich or 
poor—to which Mr. Scrope has not contributed useful suggestions 
