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were immediately circulated in
all parts of the county,
with such successful results, that within two months, on
November 24, 1857, the Secretary reported that the
Society already consisted of 367 Members, of whom
twenty-four were Life Compounders.
On the 24th of November the Committee held their
first Meeting at Maidstone for revision of the Rules,
etc., when EDWARD KNATCHBULL HUGESSEN, Esq., and CHARLES MERCER, Esq., were elected additional Members.
Two more Meetings of the Committee were subsequently
held at the Charles Museum, Maidstone, viz.
one on the 17th March, 1858, and the other on the 8th
of April following. At these Meetings the Rules were
carefully revised, and a Report prepared for presentation
to the Inaugural Meeting, summoned to be held at the
Charles Museum, Maidstone, on the 14th of April following,
for the purpose of ratifying the proceedings of
the Committee, and completing the organization of the
Society.
Having thus briefly recorded the consecutive steps in
the progress of the Society, from the day on which it was
first called into existence at Mereworth Castle, till it had
attained sufficient maturity for regular Inauguration, we
turn to the Transactions of the Meeting which was
held, for that purpose, at the Charles Museum, Maidstone,
on the 14th of April, 1858.
Among a numerous body of gentlemen interested in
Archaeology, and especially in Kentish antiquity, there
were present on that occasion:—
The Viscount Sydney, Lord Lieutenant of the
County; The
Marquess Camden, K.G., President; The Earl Amherst; Viscount
Falmouth; The Hon. and Rev. Sir F. J. Stapleton,
Bart.; Sir Brook Bridges, Bart., M.P.; Sir Walter James,
Bart, ; Sir .Walter Stirling, Bart.; The Venerable the Archdeacon
of Maidstone; The Rev. Professor Stanley, Canon of
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