Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 7.djvu/18

6 before us, is sufficient to point out some of the numerous exciting associations that may be awakened by antiquarian researches. From the knowledge thus acquired, and the reflections to which it naturally gives rise, our feelings of patriotism cannot but be strengthened, and we shall be led to cherish, with increased fervour, those sentiments of national attachment which, while they fill us with an honourable pride that we can claim to belong to a race distinguished in the history of nations, may also tend to incite and keep alive in us a noble emulation, not only not to dishonour those from whom we are descended, but even to imitate, so far as it may be in our power, the qualities which have, in the course of ages, contributed to stamp its character upon the men and upon the institutions of our country. Much more might be added upon the important inquiries to which a profound acquaintance with Archaeology must necessarily lead its professors, if the study, treated as a branch of inductive science, be carried out to the extent of which it is capable. But neither our space nor the occasion will admit of our entering upon the more philosophical speculations to which antiquarian inquiries may and must give rise, though the time may come when these also will receive a fuller share of consideration. It needs only to be suggested that the accumulation of those facts which the accomplished antiquary alone can properly verify, and which, by his valuable assistance, bring us acquainted in detail and by tangible proof, as it were, with the usages of particular eras, must necessarily lead, if rightly considered, to a more enlarged field of intellectual exercise. The study of the habits which have belonged to different ages of social life, will induce the consideration of the idiosyncracy of race, and in this the philosopher and the antiquary will be usefully combined. Archaeology will then assume a still more dignified station among the objects of mind, and will justly be recognised as a necessary and most valuable auxiliary ill the elucidation of the interesting speculations that are now being developed in connection with ethnological inquiries.

Warmed with these sincere feelings of attachment and respect towards the objects and study of Archaeology, the