2 Third General Meeting. 
and that is, owing to the overwhelming intelligence we have heard 
this morning, which really almost takes away ones breath and ones 
power of considering any other subject, (loud cheering), and es- 
pecially as probably many here, as well as myself, have relatives 
engaged in the struggles in the Crimea, about whose fate they 
must be exceedingly anxious, and which anxiety is sufficient to 
prevent their taking much interest in battles fought three or four 
centuries ago, and questions relating to family history and local 
topography. Notwithstanding, I will do my best in introducing 
the report, which one of our Secretaries, Mr. Lukis, will presently 
read to you. You are aware that we are now assembled for the 
purpose of holding the third annual meeting of the Wiltshire 
Archeological and Natural History Society. You will shortly hear 
the report; but I think I may so far anticipate the tenor of it as to 
assure you it is of a most satisfactory nature, and that the members 
of the Society may rest assured that we have made from the first 
continual progress; and that on the whole we may consider the 
Society as established on a satisfactory basis, and to an extent quite 
as great as the most ardent supporters of it could have anticipated. 
(Cheers). It will not on this occasion be necessary for me to dwell 
at all on the advantages to be derived from the studies which it is 
the object of our institution to promote and encourage. Every one 
who takes an interest in his native country, must feel anxious to 
become acquainted with all those material evidences, upon which 
its history is founded. The facts which every historian is bound to 
know, are derived in a great degree from objects which the archz- 
ologist brings together and secures. The national MSS. of a country, 
the spots on which great events have taken place, the dwellings 
which have been inhabited by personages of historical importance, 
the buildings which piety or superstition has raised in former days, 
and even the decorations, clothing, armour, ornaments, coins and 
medals of former generations compose the real materials of history, 
and by giving us an insight into the manners, customs, and habits 
of those times, form records as important as the account of battles 
and sieges, and the intrigues of monarchs and statesmen. To supply 
these evidences is the object of the Archeologist. (Cheers). As to 
