The Dinner. 



143 



go to the magnificent mansion of Grittleton. Almost all history 

 was a history of wars : but the pursuit of archaeology enabled the 

 modern antiquary to go further — it brought before him the domestic 

 | habits of the people, and displayed in its various phases the wealth 

 or the poverty of a nation. In nothing was this more clearly 

 shewn than in our Church architecture. See the poverty of the 

 architecture which prevailed during the Peninsular war ; the 

 large streets of London were an instance of it ; but no sooner did 

 wealth increase as a consequence of peace, than decorative archi- 

 tecture again began to display itself, and we saw it growing day 

 by day. Thus by a study of archaeology we were able to trace the 

 state of comfort and the expenditure of the people at various 

 periods of our history, and also their customs, some of which had 

 come down to the present day— all of which afforded a considerable 

 amount of information. Indeed, it might be said, whether of 

 botany, of chemistry, or of archaeology, that any one who travelled 

 and took an interest in either of these subjects, would derive far 

 greater pleasure from his trip than the man who neither thought 

 nor cared about them. Before he sat down, he wished to propose 

 the health of one who had done much for this Society : he alluded 

 to their worthy Chairman ; and he did not think he had ever had 

 the pleasure of being at a meeting where the business was conducted 

 so good-naturedly and so well as the business of that day. Sir 

 John had evidently given great thought to the object the Society 

 had in view, and also to the members themselves ; and he could 

 only say that he was exceedingly glad to see him in such good 

 health, and was sorry he was about to retire from the presidency. 



Sir John Awdry said he was exceedingly flattered by the 

 kindness and cordiality with which they had received the toast. 

 He must take it in itself as due to him simply as the represent- 

 ative of the Society ; but at the same time it was quite impossible 

 that he could shut his eyes to the personal kindness which had 

 been expressed by Mr. Goldney, and which appeared to have been 

 received by those around the tables. He fully agreed with the 

 recommendations which had been given by the Venerable Arch- 

 deacon and others, as inducing an interest in men's minds in 



