2 



The Seventeenth General Meeting. 



where we obtained our information — we endeavour to give the in- 

 formation in extenso, and with all those details which come so 

 pleasantly home to our understanding. Without confining ourselves 

 to the pre-historic age, or the latest mediaeval discovery, we endea- 

 vour to place before the members of the Society, in a readable form, 

 papers on every subject which may elucidate or render clear the 

 ages which are not to come again. It has been thought by some 

 that the labours of the Society ought soon to cease, and that its 

 subjects are nearly exhausted ; but in answer to this I fearlessly say 

 — we are only beginning really to verify and complete the discoveries 

 of ancient archaeologists, and to open out further reserves of treasure, 

 which have lain unapproached for centuries. A remark made to me 

 many years ago, by my excellent friend Canon Jackson, is very 

 applicable to the study of archaeology — " omit to remember nothing, 

 not even a Christian name, or obscure expression, in your labours, 

 for by small means is the story produced/'' It was rightly said by 

 a noble president of the Society, Lord Herbert, that Macaulay, in 

 his History of England, contrived from the ballads and trash of the 

 day — materials mean and meagre in themselves — to group together 

 such a picture as never was placed before us by any other writer^ of 

 the manners and customs of our forefathers, at a very interesting 

 period of English history. By the unobtrusive labours of indivi- 

 duals we become possessed, as a body, of a great and important 

 mass of materials, which renders intelligible to us many things, 

 which otherwise would remain obscure or traditionary. So we 

 follow Macaulay's plan, and seek everywhere for information, for 

 the humblest individual can add to our store, while through the 

 kindness and liberality of friends and members we have access to 

 the most valuable documents and historical archives. It is a source 

 of gratification that in a Society like ours, among whose members 

 we have the honour to number the highest families in the county, 

 whose patron, presidents, council, and secretaries, all take a warm 

 interest in its welfare, we have admission to their archaeological 

 treasures. That the desire for knowledge of a past age is on the 

 increase is apparent to anyone who has observed the stream of people 

 pouring into the Kensington Museum, or the numbers studying in 



