Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 11.djvu/455

THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE. 391 entered into certain details regarding recent advances in various branches of archaeological investigation, — the prosecution of discoveries in Egypt, Assyria, the valuahle aids derived from numismatic science. He spoke with high eulogy of the light thrown on the history of this country hy his valued friend, Dr. Guest, Master of Caius College, whose memoirs on the period between Roman and Norman dominion had excited the most lively interest at previous meetings of the Institute. Lord Talbot cherished tiie earnest desire to see the science of archaeology, which had been at length welcomed by Alma mater, more extensively recognised amongst academic studies. He considered that the University of Cambridge had gained a step in advance, by the establishment of a Professorship of Archaeology ; and he rejoiced in the opportunity of paying a tribute of respect to the patriotism and disinterestedness of Dr. Disney, who had presented his valuable museum to the University, and had accompanied that generous act by founding an archaeological professorship. Museums should not be limited to the works of classical antiquity ; they ought to comprise collec- tions illustrative of the arts and manners of our forefathers, and Lord Talbot thought it important that local antiquities should be carefully pre- served. At the British Museum the formation of such collections had at length commenced, and the Trustees of the national depository might of late have enriched that incipient series by the acquisition of the " Faussett Collection," unrivalled in its extent and instructive character, as illustrative of the Ruman and Sa.^on periods. So far as the Trustees of the British Museum, however, were concerned, that distinguished collection might have been transferred to some museum on the continent, where the value of such relicpies was belter appreciated, had it not been rescued by a gentleman at Liverpool, whose successful enterprise in commerce was only inferior to his laudable spirit in fostering archaeology and science. Lord Talbot then called upon the Disneian Professor, the Rev. J. H. Marsdex, B.D., who delivered a discourse on Archaeology, according to its proper definition as the study of History from Monuments, not from written evidence but from material and tangible reliques of the past, works of art, the productions of ancient coinage, sculpture, and architecture. The Professor offered some interesting observations on the remains of Greek and Roman art preserved in the University ; and alluded to the valuable accession due to the liberality of Dr. Disney, and now deposited at the Fitzwilliam Museum.' Sir Charles Anderson, Bart., having proposed a vote of thanks to the Professor, the following memoir, comprising numerous details of much local interest, was read hy the Town Clerk, Mr. C. H. Cooper, F.S.A. " Historical notices of the ancient houses of the King at Royston and Newmarket, and of Royal visits, with anecdotes characteristic of the manners of the times." The thanks of the meeting to Mr. Cooper were proposed by Mr. Clayton, Town Clerk of Newcastle on Tyne, who expressed very appropriately the estimation in which the labours of that indefatigable antiquary must be held, as having thrown an important light on the mediaeval history of the town of Canjbridge and neighbouring localities. The Master of Trinity then rose to tender thanks to the President. He spoke of the noble lord's attainments in the knowledge of ancient times, 1 Professor Marsden's discourse will be given in the next volume of this Journal.