The Secretary also read a second note, describing the opening of four ancient British barrows in South Wilts. One of these barrows contained a skeleton, with the fragments of a large urn of the usual description, which had apparently been disturbed at some distant period. Three of these barrows were situated near Winterslow Hut, but the fourth is on the Down just within the Deer-Leap of Clarendon. This last is seventy feet wide, but on cutting a trench from the base to the middle a heap of calcined human bones was alone discovered.

These two last communications have just appeared in full in the xxxvth volume of Archæologia.

W. D. Saull, esq. F.S.A. then read a note describing the present state of the Castle of Berk hampstead.

May 11. Rear-Adm. Smyth, V.P.

R. Redmond Caton, esq. F.S.A. exhibited a bronze penannular ring, found while digging for the foundation of a house at Lincoln.

Richard Cull, esq. presented engravings of two objects of antiquity; one, a bronze vessel in the form of a pail, found in 1828 below the surface of the soil upon Caslyr Hill, near Cambra, a small town of the Tyrol to the north of Trento, on the rim of which were four Etruscan inscriptions, -two in the inner, and two on the outer edge. The other object was a small statuette of an armed and galeated figure standing on a base, the edge of which was also inscribed with Etruscan characters. Both these objects are preserved in the Museum at Trento. In a letter which accompanied this exhibition, Mr. Cull observed, that Etruscan antiquities were likely to be found in the locality mentioned, since the people of the Rhætian Alps were, according to Livy (lib. v. c. 33), of Etruscan origin.

The Rev. Thomas Hugo, F.S.A. exhibited a bronze statuette of Hercules, found in New Cannon-street, London, at the point of its junction with St. Paul's Churchyard.

The Secretary then read a letter from G. R. Corner, esq. F.S.A., suggested by a drawing made for the Society some years ago, being a copy of an ancient oil-painting belonging to the Marquess of Salisbury, at Hatfield House. The picture has been thought to be by Holbein, and an inscription on the frame states that it represents an entertainment given by Cardinal Wolsey to meet Anna Boleyne: and the scene is supposed, at Hatfield, to be the meadows opposite to the old palace of Richmond. Mr. Corner, however, believes that the picture represents a rural fête in the fields of Horslydown, in the

reign of Queen Elizabeth, with a view of the Tower of London across the river. In a catalogue of the pictures at Hatfield, in the Beauties of England and Wales, it is stated to represent a Meeting of Henry VIII. and Anna Boleyne, at a country fair somewhere in Surrey, within sight of the Tower of London. The date of the picture appears on the drawing, 1590, although it has been painted over in the original. The costumes also are sufficient to show that the date must be much later than Holbein; and Mr. Corner considers that the picture represents a fête given by some of the rich Flemish refugees, who at that period colonised the neighbourhood of Horslydown, of whom Mr. Corner gave some interesting notices. The size of the original picture, which is exceedingly well painted and full of well-grouped figures, is about 40 inches by 30, and the name of the artist was discovered by Dr. Diamond, Mr. Thoms, and Mr. Fairholt, who, accompanied by the Treasurer of the Society of Antiquaries, paid a visit to Hatfield for the purpose of seeing this interesting picture. It is inscribed G. Hofnagel, a name well known for his very interesting views of Nonsuch and other English palaces. Mr. Corner added some notices of the history of Horslydown, a part of the metropolis of which but little account has hitherto been given by the local historians and topographers, and exhibited in illustration of his paper a very curious plan of Horseydown (as it was then called,) belonging to the Governors of St. Olave's Grammar-School, dated 1547.

May 18. Viscount Mahon, President.

William Wansey, esq. F.S.A. exhibited an interesting collection of Etruscan vases and other vessels in pottery and glass, procured during his stay at Naples in the winter of 1852-3. These objects are said to have come principally from the tombs at Cumæ, in which such extensive excavations have been made by the Count of Syracuse. Mr. Wansey also laid upon the table two numbers of a publication entitled "Monumenti Antichi posseduti da sua Altezza Reale il Conte di Siracusa, descritti e pubblicati da Giuseppe Fiorelli." Fol. Napoli, 1853; containing an account of the earliest results of the excavations undertaken at Cuma toward the close of 1852.

K. R. H. Mackenzie, esq., F.S.A. exhibited several small objects of ancient art, namely, a human hand in Egyptian basalt; a small figure of a Satyr found in Calabria; and a portion of a statuette of Cinquecento work in silver.

The Secretary then read an extract from a letter addressed to him by Mons. Fre

deric Troyon, in which,-after alluding to an important discovery recently made at Mulen on the lake of Zurich, where the subsidence of the waters of the lake has exposed to view some ancient habitations, within which are calcined stones, charcoal, and animal bones, a great number of utensils in stone, and the debris of pottery, accompanied by a single object in metal, namely, a bronze ring,-he states that he has just received intelligence of a similar discovery on the borders of the lake of Bienne, in the canton of Berne; but, instead of instruments of stone, there have been found celts, knives, sickles, a sword, and other objects, all in bronze. It appears from these discoveries that the waterlevels of some of those lakes have been sensibly raised since the period to which the primitive habitations thus exposed may be referred.

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The formation of a railroad in the environs of Lausanne has led to the discovery of the skeleton of a woman interred five feet deep from the surface of the ground, without any appearance of a tumulus; the skeleton placed on the bare earth. On the finger was a bronze ring, and on the arms bronze bracelets. worthy of remark that all the sepultures of the age of bronze in the Canton de Vaud are found under the surface of the soil without any trace of tumulus, and that these graves differ in material respects from those of the Merovingian period, while in German Switzerland the graves of the same epoch are tumular.◄

Another communication was made by the Secretary in a "Note upon the Angon described by Agathias, introductory of some remarks and drawings of that weapon, of which specimens are preserved in the museums of Worms, Wiesbaden, Darmstadt, and Mayence." These drawings bad been forwarded by Herr Ludwig Lindenschmit, keeper of the Museum of Mayence. They are extremely curious, as showing that the description of the historian is correct as to this formidable weapon, while they suggest that it was an arm peculiar to the Ripuarian Frank, since examples are never found in the graves of the Salic Franks, of which many have been recently explored in France.

The President laid before the Society a translated extract of a Report to the Government of Guatemala, containing an account of a visit made in 1848 to the ruined city of Tikal, the remains of which were described, with several statues in stone and wood.

May 25. Frederic Ouvry, esq. Treas. in the chair.

The Secretary, by permission of Edward C. Brodie, esq. of Salisbury, exhibited a

large collection of objects, discovered in that city during the progress of excavations for new sewers. They consist of knives of various descriptions, shears, spoons, padlocks, keys, weapons, buckles, leaden signs, rings, and some other objects, the uses of which have not been ascertained. The knives appear to range from the 14th to the 17th century, and were mostly for personal use; but some appear to have been the implements of curriers and cordwainers. The keys are of various forms, but the latch-keys are the most remarkable of them. The leaden tokens or signs differ from examples hitherto met with; one represents St. Michael, but without his characteristic arms; another is a star within a crescent, or the badge of the royal household; and the third the figure of a preacher in a pulpit, surrounded by a legend.

A memoir by Samuel Birch, esq. F.S.A. was read, on a vase, which has on it the representation of Perseus receiving the persea tree from Cepheus king of Ethiopia. The paper entered into an elaborate detail of the adventures of the hero Perseus, as represented on the various works of ancient art, and especially on those scenes selected by the vase-painters for the subject of their pencil.

June 1. Mr. Ouvry in the chair.

The Rev. T. Hugo exhibited a Roman fibula found in Bridge Street, Blackfriars; and Mr. O'Neill rubbings from a cross at Monasterboice.

W. M. Wylie, esq. F.S.A. communicated an account of a further discovery of relics in the Anglo-Saxon cemetery of Fairford, Gloucestershire, including several fibulæ, beads, a sword, the umbo of a shield, and three spicula, the blades of which were, as usual, of unequal surface, for. the purpose of producing a rotatory motion when hurled.

Mr. Walmisley exhibited a miniature portrait of Sir Philip Sydney, painted by Isaac Oliver; purchased at the sale of Addiscombe House, the seat of the first Earl of Liverpool, and said to have been one of several curious articles transferred to Addiscombe from the palace of Nonsuch.

John Henry Parker, esq. F.S.A. read a further description of the churches in the South of France, which he illustrated by the exhibition of a number of drawings of remarkable examples. He remarked that consecration crosses, in the form usually called the labarum of Constantine, are common in that district. At Moissac he found an inscription recording the dedication of the church in 1063.

June 15. J. P. Collier, esq. V.P. Signor Bonucci, of Naples, was elected an honorary member; and Major-General

Buckley, M.P., James A. Hammersley, esq., and Charles Edward Davis, esq., were elected Fellows.

Mr. Cooper, of Macknee Castle, Ireland, exhibited a bronze and a silver fibula, the latter of very large size and of the "arbutus" pattern, of which a fine example was lately exhibited to the Society by Lord Londesborough.

The Rev. Thos. Hugo exhibited several specimens of Celtic armillæ, said to have been recently discovered in Bucklersbury. No Celtic remains have hitherto been found in London; and it was remarkable that this gentleman at the same time, though in a distinct communication, called the President's attention to the frauds which he has experienced in the course of his intercourse with the labourers employed in excavations in the City.

K. R. H. Mackenzie, esq. exhibited a Byzantine crystal vase, purchased by him at Constantinople, and since mounted as a beaker by a French artist.

W. B. Dickinson, esq. exhibited a fine example of an Anglo-Saxon bronze fibula, discovered in a gravel-field near Warwick, with the remains of a human skeleton. Charles Warne, esq. exhibited of the Roman amphitheatre at Dorchester, on a scale of one inch in thirty feet.

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Hugh Edmondstone Montgomerie, esq. exhibited an original letter, dated Sept. 4, 1688, and addressed to the Sheriff of Stirling, which appears to have been a circular from the administration which ruled Scotland under James II. to the Lord Lieutenant or Sheriff Principal of each shire. It was evidently issued in anticipation of` the expedition of the Prince of Orange.

Josiah Goodwin, esq. of Exeter, communicated the discovery of a considerable number of skeletons at Cowick, near that city. The interments are evidently of two distinct kinds, but all appeared to be of the Christian period, and some are probably of the Dutch prisoners who died of the plague temp. Car. II.

William Tite, esq. F.S.A. read a description of the Roman tessellated pavement, recently discovered on the site of the Excise Office, in Broad Street, London. He also communicated a map showing the Roman roads east of the city.

The Society then adjourned to the 16th of November.

deep pits had been found, excavated in Roman times in the gravel and natural soil, and containing a remarkable number of curious reliques, pottery, glass, objects of bronze and other metals. In the course of these researches Mr. Neville found in one of these remarkable depositories a large hoard of implements and objects of iron in very perfect preservation, the mouth of the cavity having been closed over with a thick layer of chalk, by which means probably the iron had been protected from decay. Mr. Neville produced drawings by Mr. Youngman of Saffron Walden, exhibiting the principal reliques discovered, which comprise massive chains of most skilful workmanship, their use has not been ascertained, anvils, hammers, and other implements of the forge, manacles and shackle-bolts, a great number of scythes, considerably curved, of much longer proportions than modern scythes, padlocks of very ingenious and complicated construction, and a large pair of shears, of unknown use, measuring not less than 4 ft. 6 in. in length. The metal retains its elasticity and temper in a remarkable degree. With these interesting illustrations of the mechanical arts and usages of Roman times was found a large iron spear and some blades, which may be the reliques of military weapons. Mr. Neville supposed that this assemblage of objects had been deposited for concealment and security, possibly on the occasion of some sudden danger to which the station had been exposed. The perfect condition of the objects seems to shew beyond doubt that they were not old metal laid aside for the purposes of the smith's shop: the work as well as the metal had been inspected with surprise and admiration by the artificers of the craft, who had come from all the country round to see the reported discovery.

Mr. Le Keux read a memoir on ancient Crosses in England, including not only church-yard and way-side crosses, as also market crosses, but also upright stones of memorial, frequently sculptured. He adverted especially to the crosses of Queen Alianor, and the interesting particulars regarding them found amongst ancient records by Mr. Hunter. A large series of drawings was exhibited, originally commenced by Wm. Alexander, esq. F.S.A. and enlarged by Mr. Britton, and comprising about 300 examples of various classes. Mr. Le Keux stated his belief that one of the statues intended to portray Alianor still exists at Leighton Buzzard. It is his intention to publish a classified series of examples of this interesting class of ancient monuments. A voluminous collection was preserved in the Stowe Library, which, if I

available, might supply valuable evidence respecting crosses now wholly destroyed.

The Rev. Edward Trollope gave an account of a singular bronze collar found by a Laplander on a mountain in Finmark, and now in the possession of Sir Arthur de Capel Broke, Bart. Such collars were worn by the Finland wise men or soothsayers, who pretended to invoke the spirits of good and evil. The length is 25 inches. It is of elaborate workmanship, formed of a large number of pieces, to which are appended a great many little bells, resembling hawk's-bells of bronze, chains, and other ornaments. Sir Arthur obtained also two very curious silver rings in Finland, of spiral or serpent form, and wrought with much skill, as shown by Mr. Trollope's drawings. Mr. Trollope communicated also notices of a Roman sarcophagus lately found near Ancaster, where Roman remains have frequently been brought to light, and of a mural tomb with a cross-slab of elegant design, found during recent repairs at Raunceby church, Lincolnshire. This memorial bears the date 1385.

Mr. Way sent a short notice of the discovery of a block or pig of lead on the Mendip Hills, near Blagdon, Somerset, in August, 1853. It was found in ploughing, and was brought to the Patent Shot Works of Messrs. Williams and Co. at Bristol. This relique of the metallurgical operations of the Romans in Britain is the earliest hitherto found. The form of the pig resembles that of all which have been discovered at various times; on the top is the inscription, BRITANNIC.... AVG. F.. by which the date may be fixed as between A.D. 44 and 48, since Britannicus, who was son of Claudius, appears to have received the title of Augustus about A.D. 44, and was set aside about A.D. 48 by the intrigues of Agrippina. He was poisoned by Nero in A.D. 50. A pig was found some years since on the Mendip bearing the name of Tiberius, but it has not been preserved. The traces of extensive Roman workings on that range of hills are well known, and a company has been established, by whom the old slag is now fused, and a considerable quantity of lead obtained. Mr. Way stated that, having casually heard of the discovery at Blagdon, he had sought to trace this relique, the only object, as it is believed, found in England bearing the name of Britannicus. Through the kind and prompt assistance of Mr. Garrard, Chamberlain of Bristol, and Mr. Wasbrough, of Clifton, the desired object was obtained. Mr. Williams, the proprietor of the Shot Works, on learning from them that this vestige of Roman industry was an object of interest, had not only sent it forthwith for the in

spection of the Institute, but had generously presented it to the Collection of National Antiquities at the British Museum, where it will form a valuable addition to the little group of objects of a similar class found in England.

Mr. Yates gave an account of a Costrell, or vessel of red pottery, found at Geldestone, Norfolk, at a considerable depth, in forming an embankment by the river Waveney. Such vessels received the name of Costred, or Costrel, from their use, being carried by a traveller at his side. A similar example is described by Mr. Chaffers, in the Journal of the Archæological Association, volume V.-Mr. Franks exhibited several moulded bricks of the 16th century, with casts from other specimens in the museum of the Cambridge Antiquarian Society, and offered some remarks on this class of architectural decorations of terra cotta. They have sometimes been regarded, but very incorrectly, as of Roman fabrication.-Mr. O'Neill exhibited rubbings from sculptures in Ireland, and gave further notices of early Christian monuments in that country.

The discussion was resumed at some length regarding the threatened destruction of Churches, especially in the city of London, and the desecration of sepulchral memorials. Mr. Markland made a forcible appeal to the meeting on this subject, and cordial concurrence in his views was expressed by Mr. Beresford Hope, Lord Nelson, Mr. Hawkins, and several members who took part in the conversation. It was finally agreed that a deputation from the Institute should be appointed, and that an interview with the Bishop of London should be requested without delay.

Amongst antiquities exhibited were a spoon and ligula of bronze, of Roman work, by the Rev. T. Hugo; they were found in Bucklersbury; several iron weapons of Anglo-Saxon date, by Mr. Bernhard Smith; a singular little bronze figure, finely patinated, from Winchester, by Mr. Greville Chester; impressions of Roman coins, part of a large hoard lately found with silver ingots, &c. near Coleraine ; several pavement tiles, part of a floor, of geometrical design, found at Thornton Abbey, Lincolnshire, by the Rev. John Byron, by whom they have been presented to the British Museum; a diminutive gold ring-brooch, lately found amongst the ruins of Mannin Castle, in Ireland, and bearing an inscription as yet unexplained.

Mr. John Gough Nichols produced several beautiful specimens of needlework, the property of Miss Burr, of Stockwell. They comprised a cap worked in black silk and silver thread, supposed to have be

longed to Queen Elizabeth; it was long preserved at Hockliffe, Bedfordshire: a worked scapular, supposed to have been worn with the cap; a mantilla, and two very ancient samplers of point lace, with a christening suit of China silk and point lace, from the Rectory at the same place.

Mr. Rolls brought a diminutive watch of very curious workmanship, made by Salomon Chesnon, at Blois; some ornaments of iron and bronze; Russo-Greek crucifixes, ornamented with enamel; and a gold ring, set with a cabalistic intaglio. Mr. Whincopp sent an interesting inventory of the household goods of a Suffolk gentleman in 1601, presenting a detailed notion of the domestic condition of a small squiral residence at that period.-Mr. Tite brought a remarkable little illuminated MS., a book of prayers written and bound up in a rhomboidal or lozenge form-a strange specimen of capricious fancy.-Several impressions of seals were shewn, especially one of Sir Richard Burley, in the reign of Richard II. found by Mr. Ready amongst the muniments at Queen's college, Cambridge, of which he is now engaged in copying the seals; and a French seal of the fourteenth century, of which the matrix was in Mr. Pickering's possession. It is a good example, and appears to have been the seal of William de Says, canon of Le Puy, the ancient capital of Velay.

June 2. The Hon. Richard Neville, V.P. Mr. Edward Freeman invited the attention of the Society to the existence of a remarkable sepulchral chamber at Uleybury, Gloucestershire, partially excavated some years since, when some remains were found, now preserved at Guy's Hospital. This burial-place has been designated as "the Giant's Chamber," and it appears to be in some respects analagous to the surprising works in Ireland, at New Grange and Dowth, on the banks of the Boyne. Mr. Freeman proposes to bring the subject before the notice of the annual meeting of the Institute, at their approaching assembly in Cambridge, and to make a careful examination of this remarkable place shortly after the meeting, when he kindly proposes to request the cooperation of archaeologists who take an interest in such researches. Mr. Dickenson remarked that a similar place of primeval interment existed near Stony Littleton, in Wiltshire, which had recently been excavated by direction of Mr. Poulett Scrope; the results would soon be published by the Wiltshire Archæological Society.

The Rev. H. M. Scarth sent a notice of a discovery of sarcophagi near a Roman villa at Comb Down, Somerset. Three

cists, containing the skeletons of a male and two females, were found, placed side by side, the heads to the north. At one side of this group of interments was placed a square stone chest, carefully constructed, with a convex cover neatly fitting into a groove in the sides of the chest, which was filled with burnt bones. On the other side appeared a stone chest, measuring 22 inches by 15, and containing the skull of a horse. Mr. Neville mentioned some curious facts in regard to the discovery of remains of the horse near early interments. Mr. Scarth described also a curious little group of tumuli on Beaulieu Heath, Hampshire; it comprises two conical barrows, with an oval mound between them; they are placed close to one another, a ditch surrounding each.

Mr. Bish Webb communicated a statement received from Mr. L. Clark, calling attention to the neglected state of the ruined structures and sculptured tombs at Iona, from the want of some efficient protection to prevent the injuries caused by reckless visitors who come to that island in great numbers. It appeared that a small sum expended in sustaining the remains of the cathedral might preserve them from the decay which has rapidly advanced in recent times. Mr. Westwood made some remarks on the value of the sculptured monuments of the western islands of Scotland, and the importance of the endeavour to avert such wanton injuries as had been reported; he doubted not that the Duke of Argyll, the possessor of Iona, would readily give attention to the subject, if it were properly represented to him.

Mr. Hawkins observed that it was an appropriate occasion, when the attention of the Society had been appealed to in behalf of the preservation of ancient monuments, to advert to the injuries with which, as he feared, many of far greater importance were actually threatened. He would recall to the meeting the visit of inspection which, at the instance of Professor Donaldson, many members of the Institute had made last year to Westminster Abbey, to view the condition of the royal tombs, and he believed that the unanimous opinion at that time had been that all so-called restorations were to be deprecated, and must prove destructive of the essential interest and authenticity of those memorials. He now perceived with great regret, amongst the estimates submitted to Parliament, one for no less an amount than 4,700/. for the repair of royal monuments in Westminster Abbey. He would propose that some measures should without any delay be taken, by petition to Parliament or by a memorial to the First Commissioner of Public Works, to avert, if possible, such