Mr. Poulett Scrope’s Address. 9 
advantages that we may reasonably expect to gather from the 
Institution of which we are to-day laying the foundation. 
It is scarcely necessary for me to state that Archeology, the 
pursuit of which we are uniting to promote, is the study of antiqui- 
ties, not for the gratification of an unreasoning curiosity, but with 
the view of bringing them to bear upon and illustrate history—and. 
especially /oca/ history, or topography ; which indeed, may be said 
to be included in the term. The investigation of the ancient 
monuments of a country, of its buildings, military, civil, and 
ecclesiastical, of the weapons, implements, furniture, dress, and 
ornaments of its inhabitants, from the earliest period to the present 
day, is as indispensable towards the due comprehension of its history 
as the examination of its written records, which are, in part, them- 
selves, likewise, the subjects of archeological research. So under- 
stood (and in these days it is always so understood) Archeology 
remains no longer open to the good humoured ridicule which has so 
often been levelled against antiquaries—the Jonathan Oldbucks of 
other times—as a sort of learned triflers over things of no real value 
or interest— 
*Nought but a world of old nick-nackets, 
Of rusty swords and fusty jackets.” 
On the contrary, this pursuit has assumed a position of honour and 
respect in popular estimation, and has been elevated to the rank of 
a science. 
Such researches, indeed, could only have been undervalued, at 
any time, by those who shut their eyes to the remarkable influence 
exercised over the human mind by every object that can claim an 
association with interesting characters, or important events. There 
is an eager desire, of which all mankind, perhaps, are sensible, to 
attain some tangible, or visible memorial of the great men of other 
days, to visit the spots which they frequented, to linger in the ruins 
of their habitations, the scenes in which their great deeds were 
performed, the tombs in which their ashes repose. Proofs of the 
universality of this feeling pervade all ages, and are obvious to all 
eyes. It is seen most conspicuously perhaps, in the “ Pilgrimages ”’ 
of ancient and modern days, or still more in the contests carried on 
between entire nations, and through centuries, even up to the 
resent hour, for the possession of what are called the “Holy 
laces” of Judea—that is to say, of the material objects most closely 
associated with what to every Christian must always be the most 
intensely interesting event and personage in history. 
This feeling, like all other powerful instincts of our nature, is 
liable to abuse, and apt to run into extravagance, as witness the 
absurdities of relic-worship. And some may consider it beneath 
the dignity of history to avail herself of it. But no sentiment so 
universal, and so powerful in its influence, can be wisely disregarded 
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