dilettanteism without definite objects; and that such institutions are not organised merely for the purpose of collecting heterogeneous, and, it must in truth be said, not always unquestionable remains of antiquity: a better class, in short, of curiosity shops. Those who have hitherto paid no attention to antiquarian pursuits, or may have treated with contempt what appeared to them the useless or speculative labours of the antiquary, may, it is hoped, be taught that his object is, in its way, of as high a reach as that of others who are allowed to be worthy labourers in the field of history. It is true that his way may occasionally lie along the byepaths and lanes, but here often some of the fairest flowers are to be found; and though the facts he may collect may be minute, and apparently of little moment to the common observer, yet his careful researches may, by clearing up doubts upon points of date, by showing how to select or reject questionable documents, by detecting forgeries, by decyphering and illustrating inscriptions, or, again, by tracing through brasses and other monumental remains a lost link in a pedigree, not only throw much light on obscure points of history, but may assist the jurist in dealing with most important social interests. With these views, it is obvious no object can be considered trifling which can in any degree contribute to establish a fact, to expose error, or to open a new path of useful speculation. The form of a letter, the shape of a piece of armour, even the character of an ornament, whether occurring in a manuscript or on a fragment of sculpture, may, as they frequently have done, determine questions which but for such evidence might never be satisfactorily disposed of In such matters, among numerous other particulars which might easily be adduced, the intelligent antiquary is not only the careful preserver of curious objects and facts, but he may also be exercising a calling of honourable usefulness. He feels that his pursuit—at first, perhaps, taken up for amusement—may be made to serve the cause of truth; and this will incite him to claim for it the respect and consideration of the intelligent and the unprejudiced.
It is scarcely necessary here to enlarge upon what has
