390 PKOCEEDIXGS AT MEETINGS OF

to have them urrauged so that everytliing referred to by Mr. Allchin could be found at once. On the i»roiiosition of the Kev. J. F. Russell, a vote of thanks was passed to Sir Edward for his able address. The Rev. J. G. Joyce, B.A.. F.S.A., Rector of Stratfieldsaye, then gave an account of " The Kxcnvations at Silchester." Referring to the yre- vious visit of the Institute to Sdchester twenty two years ago, at wliich time no systematic excavations had been attempted, Mr. Joyce spoke in the tiret instance of the history, position, and extent of this Roman city. He then described the walls and gates, and dwelt ])articularly ujx'n the very recent discovery of the great East gate. Passing on to buildings witiiin the town, he continued : " Ardueology is deeply indebted to the munificence of the present Duke of Wellington, the owner of the estate, for the very important contributions which Silchester is now yielding to our knowledge of the Roman period in Britain." Excavations ujion a systematic plan were commenced in 1^04, and had been continued to the jiresent time. "Blocks" of dwelling-houses have been laid open, some of which show ])lainl3' additions and improvements made to them at various times, anil numerous coins and other objects of interest had been found in the course of the opciatious. The "Forum" also had been entirely opened out, and appeared to have been on a veiT important scale. The various arrangements of the structure for the administration of the business of this apparent centre of tiie Roman power in the Southwest of England were clearly discernible, and presented features of singular interest. The discourse was illustrated by copious and beautifully executed drawings and sketches, as well as by specimens of many of the objects referred to. At its close the President of the meetinu' pnipused a cordial vote of thanks to Mr. Joyce for his memoir, which will appear as a sub- stantive article in a futiu'e numl)er of the JouniMl. The President of the meeting then delivered an Addres.s, which the untoward circumstances already noticeil had prevented being given at the Inaugural Meeting. He said lie was sure all ])resent would sympathize with him in the position of having to deliver an Inaugund Address in the middle of a meeting. They all knew what a stale egg was, and he had to pnjduce l>efore them that day an egg which had evidently been sat upon. He hoped they wouM not set upon him for doing so, for then his oidy chance wouM In.' a long rope, whereas he had only the shortest possible "yarn" then allowed liim. It was evident that what he should have to Hpeak about was the general purpose and idea of these giitheriugs and meetings, and the good that they and he might be alile to deduce from that particular one. Many people, when an anticpiary was coming to them, exjiected something amusing and sometimes rather ali.siu-d, but there wjus a far deeper Ki<le of ardueology upon wliich he should hke them to rest. Perhaps it was stated almost as beautifully tm language could doit by the great l^ord Macon in his book Atliuntcrutrut »(' Lmniinf). Ho xaid : *' AntifpiitieH are history defaceil.or some reninantsof history which have casually escaped the shipwreck of time." A beautiful idea in itself, und then he went on to speiik of what coiiHtituted the true antiquary ; ainl then he set a deep view of the whole of their pursuits before them. Petiiniing to his old idea of thcr hhipwret^k of tim(>, he spoke of antii|ua- riaiiH US peivoim who, "by an exact ami Hcnipulous diligenc(> and obsi-r- vation, out of nionunieiilK, iiameH, words, piMverbs, ir.idilioiis, ]»rivato recordHaiid cvidunccK, fragments of Htone, .md the like, do .saveand recover