Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 1.djvu/17

This page has been validated.
INTRODUCTION.
3

whether it ever could attain the requisite degree of extended influence for such purpose: the operation of the Society being at present almost exclusively limited to the portion of its members who reside in London, with few, if any, means of securing local co-operation throughout the country. In pursuance of these considerations the British Archæological Association has been devised, wholly independent of the said Society, yet wholly subsidiary to its efforts, and in extension thereof; the system of operation, of which the project is now submitted to the public, being such as has been deemed more generally available to all classes, as a ready means of obtaining any desired information on ancient arts and monuments, and of securing their preservation, through the medium of an extended correspondence with every part of the realm. Conducted with the immediate concurrence of the officers of the Society of Antiquaries, and favoured by the sanction and patronage of its most distinguished members, no kind of rivality or interference with the recognised province and professed objects of that Society is contemplated, or can justly be apprehended. The new project is adapted, as far as has been at this moment practicable, to form a subsidiary means of more fully supplying the exigencies of the present occasion, which have arisen from the more extended, and rapidly advancing interest in Archaic researches.

The means now proposed for attaining the objects desired may be thus concisely stated. A central and permanent Committee has been formed of persons resident in London, and purposing to hold meetings every fortnight during the greater portion of the year. In the composition of this body it has been endeavoured to secure in every department of Art or Antiquarian research, the co-operation of the persons best qualified, whose aid could possibly be secured, to represent each subject respectively, such as Primeval Antiquities, Numismatic Science, Architecture, Art, Sculpture, Painting on glass, or other accessory decorations. To persons living far from London or chief towns, an occasion is thus presented of readily obtaining practical suggestions on any point which might induce them to desire reference to such a Committee, either on the restoration of sacred or other ancient structures, and their appropriate decoration, or general information on any subject of research connected with Antiquity. The primary intent of the Committee