Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 11.djvu/243

 €6e ^vcJ)acological ^ournaL SEPTEMBER, 1854. ANCIENT CAMBRIDGESHIRE. A COMITlKIlRNSlVl!: SUUVEY OF VESTIGES OF EARLY OCCUPATION IN CAMISRIDOESIIIRE ANU ADJACENT PAIITS OF ESSEX, CHIEFLY THE RESULT OF PERSONAL OliSERVATION.' BY THE HON. RICHARD CORNWALLIS NEVILLE, F.S.A., V.P. From the earliest ages a strong desire has prevailed among men to enquire into the history, manners, and customs of their predecessors in the world, especially in their own country. This arose, most probably, from a wish to compare their present with a former condition, but whether it proceeded from laudable motives, or a spirit of idle curiosity, is not our province to enquire ; it certainly did exist, though the means of gratifying it were limited in proportion as manuscripts and books were rare, or accessible only to few. If then, men were to be found, who under the most dis- advantageous circumstances made this stud}'^ their special object, as the art of printing and education advanced together, their number of course was multiplied. In this country, no loss than abroad, such was the case, and from the commencement of the XVIth and XVlIth centuries, continued efibrts were made by zealous antiquaries to elucidate the ancient history of our island. These gradually but steadily increased in number down to our own times, when, within the last thirty years, in conjunction with the wonderful advance of education, science, and art, they have spread far and wide, seeming almost to keep pace with the railroads and electric telegraph. To the increased facilities of communication the extension of this study is ' The following; ])ages comiirise the the occasion of the recent meeting of the Address delivered by Mr. Neville, as Institute at Cambridge. Pi'esident of the Section of Antiquities, on VOL. XI. E K