Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 6.djvu/452

298 PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OF calculated, if pursued aright, to elevate the mind, to excite devout thankful- ness for the advantages offered to us by the present, whilst we are led duly to value the rich inheritance of that by-gone time, given us to profit by, in drawing warning from its errors, in fostering attachment to the land of our birth and its institutions, and exciting us to emulation of great examples, of which so many closely connected with the district of their present assembly had been enumerated by the President. It was, indeed, impossible to study the past without feeling that, in more senses than one, there had been " giants in the earth in those days." George Matcham, Esa., then read an " Essay on the Eesults of Archaeological Investigation in Wiltshire," and gave a valuable summary of a subject wJiich that gentleman (a distinguished contributor to Sir Eichard Hoare's gi-eat work) was eminently competent to discuss. The Lord Bishop of Salisbury moved the thanks of the meeting to Mr. Matcham, and highly commended the accurate knowledge of local antiquities which he had shown on a former, as on the present occasion. In this first meeting of the Society in Wiltshire, special mention ought to be made of Sir Eichard Colt Hoare, whose zeal, accm'acy of research, and sound judgment deserved the utmost honour. He adverted to the prevalence of sickness by which the city was at present visited, and to his deep regret, feeling any show of festivity inconsistent at such a time of general sadness, that he must refrain from receiving the Society at the Palace, in accordance with his original invitation. The vote of thanks, seconded by James Talbot, Esq., was cordially passed ; and the Eev. Joseph Hunter then brought before the meeting his very interesting reminiscences, entitled " Topographical Gatherings at Stourhead," relating to the annual meetings there of antiquaries, and to the friends and fellow labom*ers of Sir Eichard Colt Hoare, in the prosecution of his great work to illustrate the history of his county. The President expressed the thanks of the meeting for this highly appropriate and agreeable memoir. The assembly then dispersed; and many proceeded to the temporary Museum formed at " the King's House," in the Close. At four o'clock, the Society and visitors re-assembled at the Council House, where a most gratifying evidence of welcome in the city awaited them, in the sumptuous collation to which they had been invited, with the heartiest hospitality, by the mayor, magistrates, and Town Council. The chair was taken by the mayor, E. Farrant, Esq., and the entertain- ment was marked by a feeling of friendly cordiality, which will long be borne in mind with gi'atification by many from remote counties, who composed the numerous assembly. At •eight o'clock, a conversazione was held at the Assembly Eooms, the Marquis of Northampton in the chair. The Eev. Edward Duke, E.S.A., communicated some observations on Stonehenge, its pecuhar character and arrangement, — preliminary to the visit of the Institute on the following day. The Dean of Hereford then gave a report of the progress of the excavation at Silbury Hill, for the examination of which a special fund had been formed ; and of the investigation of tumidi in that part of the county, to which he had devoted the previous week, and brought to light many curious vestiges and aiicient relics, which were laid before the meeting.