KINGSTON-UPON-THAMES.
The First Annual General Meeting was held at Kingston-upon-Thames, on Friday, the 30th June, 1854. The use of the Town Hall was kindly granted to the Society by Frederick Gould, Esq., the Mayor, whose friendly and zealous co-operation in making the requisite arrangements for the Meeting contributed greatly to its success, and merits our grateful acknowledgments.
At one o'clock, about one hundred and fifty Members and Visitors having assembled, the Chair was taken by William John Evelyn, Esq., M.P., F.S.A., Vice-President, who addressed the Meeting as follows:—
As we have a very great deal to do, I will not delay any longer stating in a few words the purposes and objects for which we are met here to-day. This is the first annual meeting of the Surrey Archæological Society. It came into being on the 10th of May last, when it was publicly inaugurated. We are now assembled to hold the first General Meeting. By one of the Rules of the Society, we are to have one General Meeting yearly. You are aware that during the few past years several societies of this kind have been established in various parts of the kingdom; but although the county of Surrey is so rich in the remains of antiquity, it is only recently, as I have stated, that this Society was formed; and seeing what there is before us, it must be a matter of surprise that one of this character was not established before. (Hear, hear.) Although we have not long had an existence as an association, it is quite apparent that not only is it designed to do a great deal of good, but it is carrying out, in the most satisfactory manner, that design. (Cheers.) I need not dilate on the merits of antiquarian research, seeing that the character of this Meeting renders such a detail quite unnecessary. I apprehend that every one of us now present, with the other Members who belong to the Society, but do not happen to be present, feel a deep interest in the study of archæology, and are convinced with me that it is both a useful and laudable pursuit. (Hear, hear.) There have been imputations cast upon societies like this, and some degree of ridicule has been thrown upon the objects which they have in view. Now this arises from a mistake existing in the minds of many as to what are the objects of antiquarian research, and what are its true purposes. It is not for the mere collection of the remains of antiquity or archæological curiosities,—for this would only be an amusement, if attended with nothing else. The real merit of archæology is, that it elucidates the history of the country; and not only of this country, but of all those which may come within the scope of its investigations. (Cheers.) In England we are in rather a singular position as regards our historical writings. I need not relate in how many points our popular histories are defective; suffice it to say, that although we have many historical works in this country, the history of England, as such, has still to be written. (Hear, hear.) Most of the writings we now have, although given in language laying claim to some degree of eloquence and artistic style, are not only partial, but have been too little aided by those investigations and researches
