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Archaeologia Cantiana -  Vol. 1  1858   page li

INAUGURAL MEETING of the Kent Archaeological Society

attractiveness of its publications; and I feel convinced that I shall carry with me the general opinion of the Meeting, when I submit to it the formal Resolution which I hold in my hand. 
   Before I sit down I will venture to say a few words with respect to the general objects of our Society.
   Some persons seem to consider Archaeology as a mere matter of amusement, indeed, of trivial amusement, and that it possesses no actual value in its influence on the mind, and has no tendency to make those who study it wiser and better. Such, however, was not the opinion of a man who was himself not only wise and great, but also good. I allude to Dr. Johnson, who thus expresses himself in his 'Tour to the Hebrides,' after describing the island of Iona : " To abstract the mind from all local emotion would be impossible, if it were endeavoured; and would be foolish, if it were possible. "Whatever withdraws us from the power of our senses; whatever makes the past, the distant, or the future, predominate over the present, advances us in the dignity of thinking beings. Far from me, be such frigid philosophy as may conduct us indifferent and unmoved over any ground which has been dignified by wisdom, bravery, or virtue! That man is little to be envied whose patriotism would not gain force upon the plain of Marathon, or whose piety would not grow warmer among the ruins of Iona."
   I can add nothing to this eloquent passage, and will conclude by saying that I have obtained much pleasure, and some advantage, by the slight attention I have been able to bestow on the monuments of the past; and that I look forward with pleasure to the increased knowledge which I hope to obtain under the auspices of the Kent Archaeological Society.
   The Resolution which I have to propose is this—
   "That in order to enhance the value and interest of the Society's publications, a fund be established, to be supported by voluntary donations and subscriptions, for the special purpose of supplying woodcuts, engravings, etc., for the illustration of papers that may appear therein; and that all the Members, whether contributors to this fund or not, shall have an equal right to these embellishments."
   [Carried unanimously.]

   The Venerable B. HARRISON, the Archdeacon of Maidstone, in moving the seventh Resolution, said—
   I feel it a privilege to move that the first General Meeting of

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