20 General Account of Inaugural Meeting. 
is necessary for their complete proof. They alone can mark all the 
details of geological structure, and refer each stratum by a careful 
and long-considered observation of its fossil contents, to its true 
epoch, can alone note the habits of the animals of each country, and 
the limits of its vegetation, or obtain a satisfactory knowledge of its 
universal contents; with a thousand other particulars essential to a 
complete acquaintance with our globe as a whole.” And it is to 
the increased number of such local cultivators of science enjoying 
these peculiar opportunities, that he ascribes the immense progress 
made of late years in the physical sciences—a progress which in its 
advance cannot but entail, as Herschel goes on to remark, incalcu- 
lable benefits upon mankind. 
Fortified with this high authority, I will ventnre in conclusion 
to urge upon all who now favour me with their attention, to avail 
themselves of the advantages of this nature which their position 
enables them to enjoy, to take a share in labours, which, by extend- 
ing the boundaries of human knowledge, hold out the promise of 
such vast results; and not merely to lend their names and pecuniary 
aid to our Society—though this of course is essential to its vitality 
—but to contribute likewise their personal exertions in the fur- ‘ 
therance of its objects. | Supported, as it appears likely to be from 
this day’s proceedings, it will be in the power of the Society, in 
its collective capacity, to centralize the operations of scattered 
workers; to advise, encourage, and report their useful labours. But it 
is by the energy of individuals that all real success is to be gained. 
Let me say to one and all of you, “Try to raise the reputation of 
our county to a level with that of the most cultivated!’ (Applause.) 
“« Spartam nactus es, hane exorna!’—Let every Wiltshireman strive 
to win credit for Wiltshire, by doing his best towards the illus- 
tration of her ancient annals, the preservation of her historic 
monuments, the instruction and mental elevation of her inhabitants. 
Such objects afford a worthy and a common aim to the highest as 
well as the least among us. Let all whose pulses beat with a love 
for their country, and a sense of national pride—all who feel in 
themselves, or desire to encourage in others, noble aspirations 
and a preference for intellectual over sensual enjoyments, assist 
in the good work of which we are laying the foundation to-day; 
and, by all the means in their power, strive to advance the objects 
of the Wiltshire Archeological and Natural History Society. » 
The address haying been concluded, amidst loud applause, 
The Noble Marquis said—I may be allowed to give momentary . 
expression to the great delight which, indeed, every one present 
must feel, at the address we have just now heard; so well designed 
to promote the objects of the Society, and to perpetuate the spirit 
upon which it must depend for support. You must all wish, 
instantaneously and unanimously, without waiting for the close 
