shores, having been called away to defend their own country against the attacks of Gothic adventurers who were then pouring into Italy. (Cheers.) We have now a most interesting investigation before us, and that is, to examine a mound—or, as it is called, a barrow—which is in this neighbourhood, permission to explore it having been given by the proprietor. It will be rather a long business excavating it, and we must not be surprised if we find nothing—because we can't be sure that, in a place so near London as this, the barrow has not before been exploited. I trust, however, we shall be enabled to discover something; and from this [holding up a relic] which has just come from there, I have little doubt we shall have some success. The barrows, as you know, were places of sepulture; and if we, the archæologists, take upon ourselves to explore these places of the repose of the ancient dead, it is not from feelings of mere curiosity, but from a desire to increase the world's knowledge. It is told that one of the Queens of Babylon played a sort of practical joke on her descendants. She directed that when she was buried, there should be put over her grave, "Do not examine this place unless you are poor." Nobody ventured to examine the place until one of the sovereigns, being, as I suppose, "hard up"—as even kings sometimes are—(a laugh)—and thinking there were some hidden treasures, caused the sepulchre to be explored, but found nothing but a rebuke for his avarice. We shall not be accused of avarice in opening this place of burial, for it is not likely we shall find anything valuable excepting knowledge, which may prove useful as well as interesting; and perhaps some remains of a British chief. (Hear, hear.) I will not detain you longer than to say that I feel highly gratified at having been requested to take the chair at this very important Meeting, although there are others who could have more efficiently performed its duties. (No, no.) There will now be some interesting papers read, which will be more worth listening to than my remarks—(no, no)—but I may say that I feel anxious to promote the welfare of this Society, and most earnestly desire its prosperity and success. (Cheers.)
The Honorary Secretary read the Minutes of the Southwark Meeting, the Balance-sheet, and the following Report of the Council:—
The Council beg to state that having, at the Inaugural Meeting so recently held, reported on the affairs of the Society, they have now but little to add. The number of Members has been increased by an accession of nine, making a total of 374; of whom forty are life compounders. The Balance-sheet has been prepared, and is now presented.
At the Meeting referred to, the Office-bearers having been appointed, the Council recommend that they be now re-elected for the ensuing twelve months.
Several new Members were elected, and Mr. T. R. Bartrop was appointed Local Secretary for Chertsey.
The following Papers were then read:—
