Page:Surrey Archaeological Collections Volume 1.djvu/80



, some years ago, I was a student of the Middle Temple, and was picking up such an acquaintance with law as "eating terms" with that ancient and honourable society will impart, I recollect that it was among the traditions of the practice of the Bar, that, on all occasions, when a compliment or an honour was bestowed on the members of a particular circuit, it was the junior member of their mess who was required to acknowledge the one, or do homage for the other. The motive that influences that learned body herein, I take to be this,—that they are anxious to testify to an admiring world that in all things relating to the dignity and credit of their order, they can commit themselves as confidently to the zeal and ability of the youngest and most inexperienced amongst them, as they could to the learning and discretion of the oldest and most practised of their leaders. I presume that a similar conviction has influenced the Council of the Surrey Archæological Society in having required me, the least qualified, and probably the most ignorant of their members, to deliver an address before you this night, upon subjects concerning which I have everything to learn, and nothing to impart.