The Sun.
London, England, 1865-06-23 00:00:00

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LONDON, FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1865.

An interesting meeting was held at Willis's

Rooms yesterday afternoon, the Archbishop o.
YORK presiding. Its object was to form a societ)
or fund for the " systematic exploration of Pales.
tine." Many influential persons were present, and
the proceedings will well repay perusal. The
Chairman explained the purport of the affair in a
clear and comprehensible form, and gave an attrac-
tive account of the affair to those not well acquainted
with its details. His Grace remarked that many
persons interested in science and art, did not think
that our knowledge of Palestine was as full as
it ought to be. This is very true, certainly, and
it is a matter of regret that such should be the case,
for all appertaining to that locality has claims on
our regard, our reverence, and our attention. All
that relates to the past history of the Holy Land in
every branch of inquiry almost has yet to be carried
out. For instance, we may mention that " explo-
ration by means of excavation" has rarely been
practised, although it is certain that many monu-
ments of interest and importance will be found
under the sacred city. It is therefore proposed
that a society should be formed, and an admirable
law is laid down among its fundamental
principles, namely, that there should be no
controversy. The object is to apply the rule of
science in "an inductive inquiry as to the
archaeological, topographical, and geological
history of the Holy Land." It must be admitted
that this is the right way of viewing the subject,
and that this praiseworthy undertaking has been
inaugurated in a fitting form. Nothing of any
consequence can be done if arguments of a contro-
versial style are suffered to take place, and great
credit is due to those who have thus made
83 wise an arrangement. It may be added
that all the succeeding plans are likewise most
efficient and excellent, and promise fairly for the
success of the affair. The QUEEN has consented to
become the patron of the society, and many eminent
names have already been placed on the list of sup-
porters. The Archbishop concluded his interesting
discourse with the following eloquent passage—" It
was said to the Father of Israel, ' Walk through
the land, in the length of it, and in the breadth of
it, for I will give it unto thee,' and so it could be
said to us, it is given unto thee. It was the land
of our hopes, and we should look upon it with as
much patriotism as we look upon old England, and
endeavour by a new crusade to rescue it from
oblivion and ignorance." The Bishop of LONDON
moved the first resolution, which was to the effect
that a fund be formed for the purpose of promoting
the exploration of the Holy Land. He said that
the Church of England was in favour of the exten-
sion of education, and they must certainly support
this undertaking, which would tend to throw much
light upon Bible History. Mr. T
....,AYARD spoke at
some length, and of course his is an authority which
cannot be gainsaid on such matters. He com-
menced by stating a singular thing, which was
that there was no place in the world
of which we knew so little respecting its
archology and the manners and customs of
the peoples, as that .land which was so nearly
connected with our religion. Now, said the learned
gentleman, no one is likely to declare that such
a•study as that proposed to be prosecuted is unin-
teresting and unprofitable. Besides many other
advantages that will accrue from these researches,
there will be the crowning benefit of throwing a
light upon the connecting link which we wanted
between the art of Egypt and the art of Assyria.
I...kYARD illustrated his meaning in a very fin-
pressiye manner, by stating that some years ago