Various

“ Every one who has read that work will allow that it is the most impartial history of the period that has yet been written; and it is not reflecting much credit upon Englishmen to say that one of our best historical works is written by a foreigner. (Hear, hear.) I cannot regard those researches as useless or unimportant which have for their object the investigation and preservation of the records of our forefathers, and improving our knowledge of them. ”

“ The true purpose of such a Society as this is, to trace out, by means of a close comparison of relics with records, the habits of life, the manners, and the customs of people of a past age, illustrating and illuminating their mode of government, their form of religion, the state of their laws, and their artistic skill. ”

“ There have been imputations cast upon societies like this, and some degree of ridicule has been thrown upon the objects which they have in view. Now this arises from a mistake existing in the minds of many as to what are the objects of antiquarian research, and what are its true purposes. It is not for the mere collection of the remains of antiquity or archæological curiosities,—for this would only be an amusement, if attended with nothing else. The real merit of archæology is, that it elucidates the history of the country ”

“ We have the two ancient towns of Guildford and Kingston, neither of which is unknown in history; but they are both of them pregnant with interesting associations of by-gone times (hear, hear) , most of which are so well known to you that I need not stay to point them out. There is another very peculiar feature of interest in antiquarian research, and that is, the number of races with which we are brought into contact. There is the ancient British, a people who afford most interesting points to study, as having a strange mythology and very peculiar institutions. ”

“ I am sorry to say that there is no country in Europe that has taken such bad care of its historical possessions as Great Britain—as I will show very shortly. In Ireland there is no such thing, for a great number of years, as a parish register. Not a single register in proof of marriage, birth, or death is there to be found; and in Scotland it is pretty much the same. One great reason, I believe, which is urged by the Scotch for this want is, that their public documents were taken away by the English Edward, and the ship with these valuable records was lost coming to London. ”

“ It is to no purpose to go about excavating unless we endeavour to realize to ourselves the state of society of which those objects ought to lead us to form a clearer idea. I am one of those who advocate what may be called extreme views as to the rights and privileges of the English people, and value all our ancient institutions of local self-government ”

“ In England we are in rather a singular position as regards our historical writings. I need not relate in how many points our popular histories are defective; suffice it to say, that although we have many historical works in this country, the history of England, as such, has still to be written. (Hear, hear.) Most of the writings we now have, although given in language laying claim to some degree of eloquence and artistic style, are not only partial, but have been too little aided by those investigations and researches which the Surrey Archæological Society, with others, is formed to promote ”

“ You, as an Archæological Society, should endeavour to remedy this state of things. The great object of antiquarian research should be, to supply the want we now feel in regard to our history. We hear a great deal of the instruction of the million, about which everybody is mad nowadays. ”

“ The value of every history depends upon its accuracy, and these are the sort of records on which we can rely. The documents to which I have called your attention are those which you would do well to consider and follow in your pursuits as a Society. You know nothing of the internal family manners of the people from ordinary history. I will put this one question. If a man with 2,000l has four sons, he would put one in the Army, one in the Navy, another in the Law, and another in the Church ”

“ The Chairman, after recapitulating the previous Meetings of the Society, said that "it would appear presumptuous were he to attempt to address any lengthened details concerning the topography and antiquities of Guildford to a Meeting chiefly composed of the inhabitants of the town. Nevertheless," he continued, "I should be entirely unworthy of inhabiting Surrey if I were not aware of the general facts relating to this most eminent and interesting borough. ”

“ If you, as members of this Society, are devoted to collecting pieces of broken pottery, or metal, or old coins, you will come to no good result—and you ought not to come to any good result. (Hear.) Now the first thing is one which is rather difficult to define, and that is "Antiquity." What do you mean by the state of being old? What is old? Ladies are never old, you know. ”

“ Merely digging among the remains of a Roman fortress and finding relics will not alone tell us of their mode of life. All these things are of value and useful to the well-instructed according to the associations with which they are connected, and the bearing which they have upon facts already known. ”

“ The advantage of different persons being engaged in investigating the customs and habits of men living in past ages, and comparing the results of their labours, is to me so apparent that I feel I need not dilate upon it. ”

“ The Council having received a proposition to the effect that the operations of the Society may be advantageously extended to the county of Middlesex, in order to comprise within the sphere of a single institution the entire metropolis, and also to obtain a complete and careful investigation of the archæology of the principal metropolitan county, so fertile in objects of antiquity of every period from the Roman invasion, they have no hesitation in submitting the proposal to this Meeting, and of expressing their cordial approval of the suggestion. ”

“ You will increase the objects of this Society beyond all control, as well as beyond all practical utility, if you take in everything merely because it is old. Supposing what I hope will never happen—that the splendid fleet in the Baltic was lost in a storm—not an impossible event—and the Russians were to get out with their ships, come over, and burn London. The archæologists, a couple of years hence, would pay the site of the town a visit, and commence digging among the ruins ”

“ It is not merely for the notice and preservation of things that are merely old, nor even for inculcating their close imitation in the works of art in use at the present day, but in order that by studying and analyzing them we may impregnate ourselves with some of the principles that operated in the minds of the original artisans and designers of the various remains of antiquity, and thus improve our taste, that societies of this kind are valuable. ”

“ If you bestow your attention, as an artist, entirely upon the details, you must make a bad picture; if, on the other hand, you keep the details subsidiary to the grand plan or subject, you will make a good picture. ”

“ If this is not so; if the artistic conceptions of the present day in any of the textile or hardware manufactures now produced be satisfactory, why should there be this morbid appetite for new patterns and fashions in almost every branch of our manufactures, unless it be tacitly but universally acknowledged that they fail to be agreeable to the eye, or to satisfy the mind? ”

“ If at the out-set you start with no higher object in view than picking up old coins, pieces of old iron, fragments of broken vases, and scraps of tiles, your researches will be exposed to great and deserved ridicule. If, on the other hand, your exertions be directed towards worthier and more extended objects—of which those relics may be made one of the instruments—you may be of considerable use—you may fill an important office, as I will endeavour to show. All great works of art—a great building, a great picture, or a great poem,—are made up of the grand design and the subsidiary details. ”

“ It must be manifest that with so small a Subscription, it not only is essential for effecting the objects we have in view that a large number of Members be enrolled, but also that the Rule which provides for the payment in advance of Subscriptions should be adhered to; whereas many of our Members continue in arrear, notwithstanding repeated applications, which entail a large amount of useless trouble and expense, and tend greatly to obstruct the progress of the Society. ”

“ It is not a thing to be read as a history—it is not very amusing—you may try a page or two, if you please; but I don't think a perusal will repay any one who has not an especial object in the research. ”

“ XXII.—The composition of each Life Member, less his entrance-fee, and so much of the surplus of the income as the Council may direct (after providing for the current expenses, printing the Annual Volume, &c.) , shall be invested in Government Securities, as the Council may deem most expedient; the interest only to be available for the current disbursements; and no portion shall be withdrawn without the sanction of a General Meeting.
XXIII.—Two Members shall be annually appointed to audit the accounts of the Society, and to report thereon at the General Annual Meeting. ”

“ X.—Persons eminent for their works or scientific acquirements shall be eligible to be associated to the Society as Honorary Members, and be elected at a General Meeting; and no person shall be nominated to this class without the sanction of the Council. ”

“ I apprehend that every one of us now present, with the other Members who belong to the Society, but do not happen to be present, feel a deep interest in the study of archæology, and are convinced with me that it is both a useful and laudable pursuit. ”

“ In this respect such societies have an advantage which none others can present. (Cheers.) There is one thing that I must affirm, that in archæology, as in many other things, the pursuit is much more gratifying than the possession. I have been a collector of minerals, old coins, and all sorts of things, all my life, and I can assure you that the pleasure of collecting them was greater than possessing them. ”

“ VIII.—Every person desirous of being admitted a Member, must be proposed agreeably to the form annexed to these Rules; [1] and this form must be subscribed by him and by a Member of the Society, and addressed to the Honorary Secretary, to be submitted to the Council, who will ballot for his election,—one black ball in five to exclude.
IX.—Ladies desirous of becoming Members will be expected to conform to Rule 8, so far as relates to their nomination, but will be admitted without ballot. ”

“ The type was already known to Numismatists, but these are the first records of their place of finding, a matter of great weight and significance in any attempt to appropriate ancient British coins. There appears to be little doubt that these coins may at least be assigned to the southern counties of England, and their proper location is perhaps the district in which examples have hitherto been discovered. It is not easy to describe the type, which bears no analogy to that of any other ancient British coin. ”

“ To oppose and prevent, as far as may be practicable, any injuries with which Monuments of every description may, from time to time, be threatened; and to collect accurate drawings, plans, and descriptions thereof. III.—The subjects of all communications received, together with the names of the authors, shall be registered in a book kept for the purpose by the Honorary Secretary, which book shall be open to the inspection of the Members of the Society.
IV.—The Society shall consist of Members and Honorary Members. ”

“ We are happy in living at a period when such measures are impossible, and under a Sovereign we all respect, and whose health Englishmen are always happy to drink. (Applause.)
Upon "The Health of the Earl of Lovelace, Lord-Lieutenant of the County," being proposed, his Lordship, after congratulating the Society on the progress it had made, and the welcome with which it had been received in Guildford, observed that—"Formerly a certain amount of ridicule was cast upon the lovers of antiquity, because their admiration of the memorials and relics of former times was indiscriminate and unreasoning ”

“ The more those are studied, the more it will appear that the designers acted with purpose and feeling, and therefore gave expression to that which proceeded from their hands. We have no right, then, to despise the old, for the moderns in matters of taste do not equal them. ”

“ The proceedings of the evening were much enlivened by the performances of the fine band of the 2nd Royal Surrey Militia, which, by the kind permission of Colonel the Earl of Lovelace, attended both at the Dinner and the Conversazione.
On Friday the 29th, Excursions were made to Sutton Place, Newark Abbey, and to that fine old mansion Loseley House, and the interesting Church at Compton. ”

“ You will find in these old family histories a complete history of the times, as well as of the manner and customs of our ancestors. There is in the possession of the Bruce family a very interesting letter, written by the Earl of Elgin and Kincardine to his son, explaining the reasons inducing him to join the arms of Prince Charles of Scotland, in 1715. ”