44 Possibilities of Societies. 



have leisure, and to be able to use it pleasantly and profitably. 

 Heaven forbid that I should say anything derogatory of the 

 putter or the niblick; golf is an ancient game of royal 

 association, requiring skill and practice, bracing and 

 exhilarating, adapted to all ages, preventative of senile decay, 

 we are told ; but it is not all-sufficing. There are those who 

 do not take to it, there are those who do take to it, but would 

 like to vary it by pursuits less circumscribed and leading to 

 something more than mere personal enjoyment ; and to them 

 the Natural History and Antiquarian Society offers a 

 delightful outlet and ever new and inexhaustible resources. 

 But the Society is, I believe, capable of far higher flights 

 than the promotion of good-fellowship and of healthful 

 recreation. It is capable, I feel sure, of bearing a useful part 

 in original investigation and of making fruitful additions to 

 ascertained knowledge. 



As to the possibilities of this Society on its antiquarian 

 side I need say nothing. These will doubtless emerge from 

 the remarks of that most accomplished and fascinating of 

 antiquaries. Sir Herbert Maxwell, who is to follow me and 

 speak on the true Principles and Purposes of Archaeology. 

 But, skimming the transactions of the Society, I observe an 

 accumulation of antiquarian notes and facts — especially the 

 careful and admirable studies of the late Mr Barbour — that 

 must yet lend themselves to incorporation in the edifice that 

 is being slowly built up — an edifice scarred and rugged but 

 profoundly impressive and attractive — the edifice of the past 

 history of Scotland. And skimming the district around which 

 falls within the purview of the Society, I see rich stores of 

 antiquarian material still awaiting exploration ; and I see 

 abundant opportunity for the Society to exercise its watch- 

 fulness in the preservation of our ancient monuments and 

 remains. The Society is in a sense the guardian of these 

 and the sworn foe of the restorer, the builder, the improver, 

 who would tamper with them. In England incalculable mis- 

 chief has been done in the work of church restoration, and I 

 suppose the same thing has gone on in Scotland to a less 

 degree. Our ancient churches cannot be too carefully pre- 

 served as many of them are in their fabric and surroundings 

 an epitome of the story of the parish. The Society has 



