_Mr. Poulett Scrope’s Address. 8 
the second object which this Society has in view, namely, to en- 
courage the study of Natural History, it is quite as interesting and 
important. We should all know something of the beautiful world 
in which we live. We are scarce worthy to live in a world so 
replete with objects calculated to excite our admiration and grati- 
tude, unless we feel an interest and desire to become acquainted, 
as far as opportunity serves us, with the wonders of the animate 
and inanimate creation; with the miracles of the animal, vegetable, 
and mineral kingdoms. (Cheers). Therefore I think you will agree 
with me, in saying that this Society is seeking to encourage studies, 
which are not altogether useless and vain. All this is very trite, 
but I know true; and if true of general, it is much more true and 
forcible with regard to the study of Joca/ history,—the Archeology 
and Natural History of each province of the county; and to that 
especially our experience and studies have been directed. All this, 
I say, is very trite, and I must apologize for making such observa- 
tions, but I trust the truth of them will come home to every one 
who will examine the remarkable objects that are brought together 
in this room, and the adjoining ones, or who will accompany us in 
our excursions during the next two or three days, to objects of 
interest in the neighbourhood. It has been asked why we selected 
Chippenham as our place of meeting this year. People have said, 
“ what is there at Chippenham deserving the attention of Archz- 
ologists ? we only know Chippenham as having a railway station, 
and sending two members to Parliament.”’ But the railway station 
is not so unimportant a thing as some may suppose; but for the 
railway station I believe we should not have brought together such 
a company as I now see before me. And then as to the members 
for Chippenham, we owe to the munificence of one of them the 
very handsome room in which we are assembled. (Cheers). But 
really I think I may promise myself that in the course of the next 
two or three days, ladies and gentlemen who have come to Chip- 
penham, with the object of making themselves acquainted with the 
Archeology of the neighbourhood, will not be disappointed. I 
think those who listen to the paper that will presently be read by 
our accomplished Secretary, Mr. Jackson, will think there is a good 
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