Surrey Collections.
THE
ARCHÆOLOGY OF THE COUNTY OF SURREY.
By the Rev. OCTAVIUS FREIRE OWEN, M.A., F.S.A.
1. Apathy of previous times upon Archæology.The observations of Dr. Johnson "that all that is really known of the ancient state of Britain is contained in a few pages," and "that we can know no more than what the old writers have told us," proceeded from the apathy of his time, engendering dearth of archæological information, and which it is the object of the present antiquarian spirit to supply. Indeed, its activity in this particular has come to be so generally recognised as to leave no ground for fear that any topic of historical research will be in future uninvestigated by the most searching scrutiny; and although every antiquarian, if indulging in the Monkbarns spirit, as a gatherer of unconsidered trifles, may be subjected to the sneer of the pseudo-practical philosopher, yet daily discovery of the wealth of past record has elevated archæology from a romantic theory to the dignity of an historical arbitrator. 2. True value of Archæology.Nor is it unworthy of this distinction when regarded in its legitimate point of view, and when its great objects are considered, to enlighten the mind as to the human future, by a
