Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 9.djvu/473

 THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE. 377 communications, in regard to the anticipation of a meeting in Northampton- shire. The Sussex Archaeological Society had likewise urged ujion their attention the claims of Cliichester, with every fricmlly assurance of co- operation and cordial welcome ; proposing, moreover, that in the event of the visit of the Institute to Sussex, the meeting of the Local Society should be so arranged as to take place during the same week. His Grace the Duke of Richmond, Patron of that Society, and Lord Lieutenant of the county, had also promised encouragement to the meeting of the Institute. Lord Talbot observed, that he hoped the consideration of the Institute might shortly be invited to the proposal of holding a meeting in Ireland ; remarking, that the Industrial Exhibition during the ensuing year would make it expedient for the present to defer their visit to Dublin. It was then unanimously agreed that Chichester be selected as the place of meeting for 1853. It was likewise carried by acclamation, on the proposal of the Rev. Edward Hill, seconded by 'Mr. Joseph Hunter, that Lord Talbot should be requested to accept the post of President on that occasion. Lord Talbot then said, that in accordance with the example of the British Association, he deemed it highly desirable, on such occasions as the present, to endeavour to adopt some practical course, tending to advance the science in which all members of the Institute are interested. He was now desirous to invite their attention to the important question of the removal of the impediments occasioned by the existing law of Treasuke Trove. He considered that there were no advantages to any party, in the law now in force. As regards the interests of Archaeology, most serious injury frequently occurred ; if the treasure discovered be not forthwith melted down, we arc too often deprived of all authentic record of the facts connected with the case, which might be of greater value to the scientific enquirer than the things themselves, or are deluded by evasive statements, leading us possibly to form fallacious hypotheses. Lord Talbot considered that there were great advantages in the law recently established in Denmark, by which the treasure is secured to the finder, subject to the right of preemption in the crown, at a fair value. He was well aware of the numerous difficulties attending this question, but he considered it imperative to make a move in the right direction, and that the most practical course would be to obtain a Parliamentary Committee to inquire into the subject. He had accordingly prepared the following petition to Parliament, which he wished to bring under the consideration of the meeting. The humble petition of the undersigned, members of the Archaeo- logical Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, and others, humbly shoiceth : — That your Petitioners, in common with a large class of Her Majesty's subjects, feel deeply interested in the preservation of all ancient monu- ments, particularly those which are remarkahle for their artistic beauty, or the associations connected with them. That of late years numerous structures, both religious and civil, of great public interest, have been w^antonly destroyed or defaced, owing to the want of some recognised power of interference in extreme cases. At the present moment the interesting remains of the Roman theatre and ancient town of Verulamium are threatened with destruction by a building company. That, owing to the state of the law of Treasure-trove, a large number of precious objects of gold and silver deserving preservation, not only for the VOL. IX. •'' ^