The essence of antiquarianism is a focus on the empirical evidence of the past , and is perhaps best encapsulated in the motto adopted by the 18th-century antiquary , Sir Richard Colt Hoare , `` We speak from facts not theory '' .
The essence of antiquarianism is a focus on the empirical evidence of the past . It may be better explained by the motto adopted by the 18th-century antiquary , Sir Richard Colt Hoare , `` We speak from facts not theory '' .