The Dinner. 



7 



Custos Rotulorum. He was on one occasion visiting at Bowood, 

 when, having" an eye to business, he reminded His Lordship that he 

 was not only Lord Lieutenant but Custos Rotulorum, which meant 

 Keeper of the Rolls, and so he said, " Would you allow me to see 

 any of the rolls which you have in your keeping" ? " His Lordship 

 replied, l( I know my duties as Lord Lieutenant very well, but what 

 my duties are as Custos Rotulorum I don't know, and what rolls I 

 am supposed to have the custody of I haven't the slightest idea."" 

 He could look back on many magistrates, the late Mr. Matcham, 

 Mr. Poulett Scrope, and half-a-dozen others, who had also been 

 first-rate archaeologists, and he was happy to think there were several 

 present who were supporters of their Society. 

 The Rev. C. Soames responded to the toast. 



The Noble Chairman then proposed the health of the Mayor 

 and Corporation. He had much pleasure in seeing the Society once 

 more in their ancient and loyal borough which he had had the honour 

 of representing in Parliament for forty-six years, and which he 

 hoped had done its duty in giving them a hospitable reception. 

 They were always indebted on such occasions to the courtsey and 

 kindness of the Mayor and Corporation, for whom he entertained a 

 sincere regard. The ancient and loyal borough of Marlborough, 

 whether before the days of reform or since, had always had a Town 

 Council of which it had every reason to be proud, though never more 

 so than at the present time. The Mayor had done everything in 

 his power to assist them in making their meeting a successful one, 

 and both Mr. and Mrs. Cooper had shewn the Society the greatest 

 kindness and hospitality. 



The Mayor, in returning thanks, welcomed the Society to Marl- 

 borough, and sincerely hoped they would spend three days of perfect 

 enjoyment, and of that he had no doubt, provided the favourable 

 weather continued. He hoped the arrangements made by the Local 

 Secretaries for their comfort and convenience had met with their ap- 

 proval. If there were not in Marlborough itself many objects of 

 archaeological value, yet surrounding them on all sides were the 

 remains of the works of their forefathers, and they were possessed 

 of the deepest interest. The Mayor also reminded them of the 



