Ai Swindon. 115 



curiosity, but with the view of bringing it to bear upon and illus- 

 trate history, and more especially local history or topography." 

 Now he ventured to say that this object had been kept in view 

 ever since, in proof of which he had only to point to the parochial 

 histories of Chippenham, Kington St. Michael, Bradford-on-Avon, 

 Broughton Gifford, Bishop's Cannings, and he might now add; 

 Swindon. He hoped they would be animated and encouraged in 

 the production of similar histories throughout the county, for if 

 they kept this object steadily in view the Society would advance in 

 years without losing anything of its original vitality and vigour. 



"The Magistrates of the County" was the next toast, with 

 which was coupled the name of Mr. Matcham, who, the Chairman 

 said, knew more of the archaeology of the county than most of those 

 present. 



Mr. Matcham, after expressing his regret that Sir John Awdry 

 had not been called on to respond, proceeded jocularly to remark 

 that if he was an antiquarian at all it was principally on account of 

 his age. Still he might say that he had a great love for archaeo- 

 logical pursuits, and should continue to have to the end of the 

 chapter. He was sorry that he had not been able to contribute to 

 the pages of the Magazine, but the fact was he had shot his bolt in 

 his own immediate neighbourhood before this Society was formed. 

 Mr. Estcourt then gave the health of the ladies, with thanks to 

 them for their attendance, and called upon the Rev. W. H. Jones 

 to respond. 



The Rev. W". H. Jones humourously acknowledged the compli- 

 ment, and the company separated to prepare for the 



CONVERSAZIONE. 



The company shortly afterwards re-assembled at the Town- Hall, 

 where the Rev. W. 0. LuKis read a Paper, prepared by Professor 

 Donaldson, on " Wayland Smith's Cromlech." 



The Rev. W. H. Jones, Vicar of Bradford-on-Avon, then read a 

 Paper on " Lord Clarendon and his Trowbridge Ancestry." 



Professor Buckman had been announced to present some inter- 

 esting features in the geology of Swindon, but in his unavoidable 



k2 



