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generations of mankind—the promoters of archæological institutions feel that these lessons can never be comprehended in the fulness of their meaning, nor estimated in the due preciousness of their value, without a well-nigh universal recognition of their existence, and a scarcely less widely extended inquiry into, and sympathy with, their teachings. They have learned to regard history as depending for its true value, because depending for its vital essence—truth, upon historical memorials, and, therefore, they are archæologists themselves. They are also conscious that archæology cannot be fully developed, or rightly appreciated, while its study is restricted to a comparatively few; and therefore they seek to enlist fresh recruits into their ranks. Now, in order to obtain these recruits in large numbers, and of a character calculated to do honour to the service, it appears to be essential that, in connection with other and higher matters, an archæological society should (from time to time, and more particularly at an early period of its career) set forth before its members and friends, certain elementary branches of archæological study, and should treat them in a popular manner. This is the opinion entertained by our council, and, accordingly, I am honoured with their permission to introduce, on the occasion of this present meeting, some remarks upon a subject already enjoying a wide popularity amongst the younger, as well as with more experienced, archæologists, and also specially calculated considerably to extend their numbers. Moreover, I am authorized to preface a careful description of the brasses of Surrey and an inquiry into their historical and biographical associations, with some general observations upon these equally curious, interesting, and instructive memorials. In carrying out this plan, I propose now to