The President's Address. 



7 



the proprietor of one of the best known ancient memorials in this 

 county — I won't mention names — who, taking a party of visitors to- 

 see it one day, found a party of tourists there before him ; and this- 

 party of tourists — we hope not knowing whom they were addressing* 

 — sent a very polite message to him requesting him, if possible, to 

 lend them a hammer. I trust that this is a myth, or, if not alto- 

 gether a myth, that its only possible foundation dates back to a 

 period very far distant. But I am certain that Wiltshire must 

 stand in a very exceptional position indeed, and I feel that the 

 exertions of the Archaeological Society have brought about an 

 intelligent respect for the memorials of the past which exist in the 

 locality. I thank you very much, Mr. Mayor and My Lord Bishop, 

 for the kind reception you have given us. In the name of the 

 Members of the Institute I heartily thank you. I now beg to call 

 upon General Pitt-Rivers to take the chair as President of the 

 Meeting. I need say nothing of General Pitt-Rivers for I am sure 

 you must all know there is no one better able to preside over this 

 Meeting than he." 



THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 



Lieut.-General A. H. Lane-Fox Pitt-Rivers, D.C.L., F.R.S., 

 F.S.A., having taken the chair, delivered the following address:—- 



" It is thirty-eight years since this Society last met at Salisbury, 

 a period which has probably been more prolific of scientific discovery 

 than any other in the history of this country or of the world. 

 Archaeology has not fallen short of its sister sciences in the race for 

 knowledge, and, although it appears proper that on an occasion like 

 the present my discourse should be general and retrospective, the 

 time allotted to me is totally insufficient to enable me to deal 

 adequately with the progress that has taken place. Indeed, when I 

 consider that Wiltshire is classical ground for the branch of prehistoric 

 archaeology that I have undertaken to deal with, and that, amongst 

 the practical explorers in this Wiltshire field are included the names 

 of Aubrey, Stukeley, Hoare, Cunnington, Prestwich, Merewether, 

 Thurnam, Warne, Blackmore, Stevens, and A. C. Smith, I almost 

 feel that I must owe my present position to the rashness with which 



