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The Fifty -first General Meeting. 



one of the General Secretaries — this Society owes more than I feel 

 qualified to describe. To his exertions much of its prosperity, 

 much of its usefulness, much of its vigour and fame were due, and 

 the recollection of all that he so earnestly and effectively achieved 

 will serve for many years to inspire other generations to follow in 

 his steps and to emulate his example. There is another name 

 which I desire to recall, no less for his services to your Society 

 and to antiquarian research in this county in particular, and 

 throughout the country generally, than for the personal regard 

 and esteem in which I and the members of my family always held 

 him. I refer to Canon Jackson. I know not which I admired 

 most in him — his rich stores of varied learning, and his industrious 

 quest after further knowledge, or the modest charm and lavish 

 generosity with which he imparted those stores to all who sought 

 for information and assistance at his hands. The pages of the 

 Magazine, of which he was one of the founders, will keep his 

 memory green with all who in future years continue to be interested 

 in the fortunes and the labours of the Wiltshire Archaeological and 

 Natural History Society. To his learning I personally owe much; 

 to the study of his simple and noble character I owe far more. 

 Time does not permit — the occasion does not require — my own 

 inefficiency forbids that I should venture to address to you any 

 remarks upon the subjects which occupy your studies as Members 

 of this Society, and upon which you are acknowledged experts and 

 recognised authorities. I will satisfy myself with offering you a 

 warm welcome on your return to Warminster and its neighbour- 

 hood. I congratulate you on the valuable contributions to 

 antiquarian research which the annals of your Society record. I 

 trust that your visit may be productive of much personal 

 gratification to all of you, and of the revival of many agreeable 

 associations. May fair weather shine on your excursions/and may 

 every object of your reunion be abundantly and fruitfully 

 accomplished. In glancing at the list of subjects which are to be 

 dealt with by the authors of the various papers which are to form 

 the topics of your discussions, and in turning over the pages in 

 which the history of your former meetings is preserved, I 



