278 An Address on Archeology. 
the illustrious family, whose noble representative presides over our 
deliberations. Thus, in every way, may the contemplation of that 
which bears witness to past transactions, conduce to the formation 
of the heroic sentiment, the lofty thought, and the high resolve. 
A few days ago, in an account of the proceedings of the British 
Archeological Society in the North of England, I read a report of 
a happily conceived speech, in which, with much humour and feli- 
citous turn, the speaker sought to show that we might have been 
spared many of the late Crimean disasters, had her Majesty’s 
ministers enjoyed but an inkling of antiquarian knowledge. I would 
not undertake to prove quite so much, but I would cheerfully hazard 
the assertion, that a reflective and discriminate participation in 
archeological research, will be of no small service to us for good, 
whatever our callings may be. I will advert to one instance as an 
exemplification. A modern poet, whose utterances have found an 
echo in the hearts of thousands, has these lines— 
‘In the elder days of art 
Builders wrought with greatest care, 
Each minute and unseen part, 
For the gods are everywhere.” 
Now this is strictly true; it is an archeological fact. Hxamine any 
one of our cathedrals, and you will find that those parts of it which 
are removed from sight, have been as elaborately constructed and 
as carefully finished as the rest. Does not this indicate that the 
central idea in the minds of those who erected it was, that purity 
of life and manners ought to be as predicable of us in private as 
well as in public? And may not the constant meeting with this, 
and other facts of the same description, beneficially affect us, 
whether we know it or not? We are creatures of habit; we are 
easily susceptible of impressions, whether for good or evil; and if 
our converse be commonly with that which is ennobling and in- 
structive, it is not unreasonable to expect that the bent of our 
inclinations may be towards that which is lovely and of good report. 
On these grounds I maintain that Archeology claims to be ranked 
as a science of the highest order, seeing that it investigates the past 
conditions of humanity with an intelligent aim and a worthy purpose, 
