Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 7.djvu/426

 308 ANNUAL MEETING. proceedings. He must heartily regret the unavoidable absence of his predecessor in office, his address on a similar occasion, at their last annual meeting, would long be remembered. He had then set before them all the bright examples and eminent persons that Wiltshire had produced. Were he, his successor, to follow that precedent, it would be no easy duty to testify respect and show due honour to the memory of those whose learning and piety had been cherished amidst the scenes of that ancient city in which the Society had now assembled. The ViCE-CnANCELLOii then proposed a vote of thanks to the President of the previous year, whose cordial welcome had given to their meeting at Salisbury a charm which the Institute must long recall Avith grateful remem- brance. The motion, seconded by Andrew Lawson, Esq., was carried by acclamation. The President then called upon Mr. Charles Newton to deliver his address on the Study of Archaeology. At the termination of a discourse which was received with deep interest and gratification, and of the merits of which it were impossible to give any adequate notion within the limits of this report, the Rev. Vaughan Thomas expressed the satisfaction which he felt in testifying the pleasure he had derived from the able disqui- sition delivered by Mr. Newton ; — from the powerful arguments and lucid arrangement with which he had treated so important and extensive a subject. To some it might be matter of surprise, that so wide a range was comprised within the scope of archaeology : wide however as it is, without attempting to contract the limits of that ample range, he would suggest that they should not confine themselves to the consideration of its comprehensiveness. In his view the great end and expi'ess purpose of archaeology consisted in minute investigation and inquiry ; to verify facts moral or material ; to elicit evidence serving to enlighten the obscurity of past history, and guide them in present emergency. Archaeology seemed to take its place with minute philosophical inquiries ; and as the agriculturist recognised his obligation to chemistry, the physician to minute anatomy, the miner to the detailed inquiries of the geologist, thus also the historian must admit his obligation to that careful discrimination of facts, which properly fell within the province of archaeology. It was the exposition of the importance of such facts, and the elucidation of the nature and value of the several sources of archaeological evidence, which gave to Mr. Newton's address so essential an interest ; and he begged to move the coi'dial thanks of the assembly on this occasion. Mr. IIallam rose to second this vote to Mr. Newton. The historian, he observed, must heartily admit the importance and value of archaeological investigation, without which his productions were little superior to those of the writer of romance. lie could not refrain from expressing his admiration of the profound and luminous views which pervaded the discourse they had heard. It was a masterly sketch ; and, as in an outline by the hand of a great master, they might distinctly sec that the power was not deficient to fill up and carry out the design. He felt great pleasure in expressing the thanks of the meeting to Mr. Newton, having known him for several years in connexion with that vast national depository, which is not less remarkable fur the treasures it contains than for tiic intelligence, zeal, and courtesy of its officers. No slight commendation was due to Mr. Newton, who had so well employed the advantages which his position at the British Museum had afforded him. He would only add tlie expression of his