Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 6.djvu/337

Notices of ^ufiacological publications. MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH IN THE OLDEN TIME. By Daniel Wilson, F.R S.A., Acting Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. Edinburgh, 1848. 2 vols. 4to. It is with cordial satisfaction that the results of an enlightened and ener- getic spii'it of archaeological inquiry, in North Britain, will he hailed hy all who delight to trace the progress of natiunal institutions, or preserve the vestiges of earlier ages. The archaeological movement which has recently exercised so strong an intluence, not only in our own country, hut in almost all parts of Europe, even amidst the terrors of revolutionary ferment, has been traced, we think -with truth, to the powerful spell which proceeded from Ahbotsford. There it was, may it be affirmed, that the first impulse of an intelligent appreciation of national and medieval antiquity was given — an impulse through which the laborious trilling of the antiquarian col- lector has, at length, given place to scientific investigation, replete with interest and instruction. The swelling wave, which, m widening circles, had reached the most distant coasts of the Continent, now seems to have turned, and the reflux has already reached the Scottish shore, whence the first small movement seems to have proceeded. Of the value of many publications which have emanated from the various literary societies of Scotland, and of the spirit with which those institutions have been sustained, much might be said in cordial commendation. The antiquaries of the South might well be stimu- lated to generous emulation by such efforts as the noble work of Mr. Patrick Chalmers (noticed in our last Journal), in illustration of the earliest sculp- tured monuments of the Christian age, too long neglected ; by the researches of Mr. Cosmo Innis and his fellow labourers in the interesting subject of religious or monastic foundations ; or by the various valuable contributions to historical and antiquarian literature from the accomplished Secretaries of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. That Society itself seems inspired with fresh vitality and zeal for the promotion of those pur- poses for which it was founded : we have received with gratification the announcement issued by the Council, earnestly inviting all classes of the community to co-operate in the establishment of a National Museum OF Archaeology in the Scottish capital, and to contribute objects, of which a brief but useful enumeration is given, best calculated to forward this desirable end. We hope that many will heartily respond to this important invitation — the pledge of future efforts most valuable to the cause of archaeological science. It were needless to insist upon the interest of Scottish antiquities, in a systematic prosecution of archaeological inquiry in our country. They form a chapter of the great history of national development, distinct only in their local peculiarities, but essentially connected with the histouy and antiquities of England, in every period. It were much to be desired that the antiquaries of the South were more conversant with the varied remains, of every age, existing in Scotland. The published sources of information VOL. VI. E E