William Jerdan

“ Settled in the metropolis, it would be a focus of meeting and intercourse for members; and out of it ought to grow opportunities for cultivating both individual benefits and general good. In due season and attached to it, an Archæological Club might be formed, and literature and science be found no unfit allies to the union of social gratification in the interchange of mind directed to the elucidation of points in common with all. ”

“ The highest ambition of the humblest jostles no superior, creates no fear, excites no envy. The utmost efforts of the loftiest, only endear them to their fellow-workers in the same emulative line, and as a touch of nature makes all men kin, so may we truly say of literary cultivation, it disposes all men to friendliness and mutual assistance. In our Club, then, peers would have no dislike to meeting with the informed husbandman, nor the heads of the Church with the unpresuming lay-brother. ”

“ By the success which may attend our own exertions, by gifts from patriotic individuals in possession of similar treasures, and by the exchange of duplicates and liberality towards others, there cannot be a question but that within the space of a very limited period, the British Archæological Association would be enabled to exhibit a rich, instructive, and most interesting Institution of this kind. ”

“ And let it be remembered that science and literature are the only true republics impervious to "class" doubt or censure. The equality is a noble one, and such a Club as I have alluded to would need no canvassing for the admission of members, no ballot boxes to guard against the ingress of the unworthy. Being enrolled in the British Archæological Association would be title enough ”

“ Supposing that out of the vast number of gentry, clergy, and provincial antiquaries, with whom we are courting a steady inter- communication, there are hundreds who only come to London occasionally and for brief periods, it is not easy to overrate the pleasure and economy of such accommodation as could thus be readily provided, with saving to them individually, and profit to the funds of the general body. ”

“ A cairn or a barrow would make them companions; and as we have hinted with respect to minds imbued with and regulated by a love of research and similarity of intelligence, there would not be the slightest risk of undue or incongruous intrusion. ”

“ If British, Celtic, Roman, Saxon, Danish, Norman, and other remains, are only to be brought to partial light and scattered throughout a number of private collections and receptacles, we might almost as well refrain from our researches. ”