ANTIQUARIAN RESEARCHES. SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES. Feb. 6. H. Hallam, esq. V.P. Thomas Stavers, of Thelton, in Norfolk, esq. was elected Fellow; and George Steinman Steinman, esq. of Camberwell, Author of a "History of Croydon," recently published, having been elected at the last meeting, was admitted. Mrs. Dobson exhibited a small private seal, representing a tonsured head, and inscribed CAPUT SERVI DEI, found at Bridlington Abbey. It resembles that engraved in Gent. Mag. vol. LXXXIII. i. 309. The Dean of Wells exhibited the head, bosses, and ferule of a crosier (or rather episcopal crook, for it is only the crossheaded staves of archbishops and patriarchs, that are strictly speaking crosiers), which were found some years ago in the cathedral of Wells. They are of bronze gilt, and of most elegant and elaborate workmanship, in the style of the 12th century. The crook is formed into the representation of a dragon, into the mouth of which St. Michael, who stands within, has fixed his spear. The skin of the dragon is beautifully reticulated, and the back adorned with small crocket-like studs. Round the sides are similar fictitious animals, which appear as crawling up from the staff, their backs studded with small turquoise stones. It has been neatly engraved and published in Storer's "Portfolio." A very massive plain gold ring accompanied this relic, in which was set a stone of the topaz kind uncut, but drilled with a hole through which a string might be passed, in order to tie it upon a thin finger. These splendid ancient ornaments were found within the precincts of the cathedral, and were probably interred with one of the bishops of the see; the insignia of his investiture "cum baculo et annulo." Edward Hawkins, esq. F. S. A. communicated an essay on the distinguishing mint marks of a large hoard of silver pennies (upwards of 6000 in number), chiefly of William the Conqueror and William Rufus, with some few we believe of Henry I. which were discovered accidentally by some boys in a box of lead, which protruded from the rut of a country road at Beeworth, near Cheriton, Hants. The box was only 18 inches under the surface of the road, which had been from time to time lowered by the occupier of an adjacent farm-house, and the spot is presumed to have formed part of the ancient church-yard. Mr. Hawkins's essay will be exceedingly useful for the classification of coins of this early period of the Norman dynasty. Specimens of the coins have been deposited in the British Mu seum. They had evidently never been abraded by general circulation, and are as sharp as when first impressed by the blow of the coiner's hammer. No very decisive conjecture can perhaps be formed relative to this treasure being deposited in such a place, but Mr. Hawkins suggested that they were probably part of a tax or tribute. Our opinion is, that the treasure was concealed during the civil convulsions which characterized the reign of King Stephen, owing to his disputed succession; of which, under the year 1140, Malmesbury has given us the following picture. The whole of this year was embittered by the horrors of war. There were many castles throughout England, each defending their neighbourhood, but more probably laying it waste. garrisons drove off from the fields both sheep and cattle, nor did they abstain either from churches or church-yards; seizing such of the country vavasours as were reputed to be possessed of money; they compelled them by extreme torture to promise whatever they thought fit. Plundering the houses of the wretched husbandmen, even to their beds, they cast them into prison, nor did they liberate them but on their giving everything they possessed, or could by any means scrape together, for their release. Is it not highly probable that the hoard at Beeworth was the treasure of some wealthy vavasour, concealed to avoid this spoliation in the churchyard? Feb. 13. W. R. Hamilton, V.P. The A short letter from John Gage, esq. Director, was read, respecting the Crozier above mentioned, and attributing it to Savaricus, Bishop of Wells, in 1192; and his opinion of its age was fortified by that of Mr. Douce. J. Akerman, esq. F.S.A. exhibited a small bronze head and a gold ring found at the corner of St. Clement's-lane, Great Eastcheap. This spot is but a few yards from the Roman Way described in Gent. Mag. vol. cm. ii. p. 422. The head is about the size of a large walnut, and represents the features of an old man (perhaps Silenus); the workmanship is excellent. The back is furnished with a small lid, once sliding in a grove, and the interior being hollow, the head was thus formed into a box. A portion was read of a Dissertation by W. Y. Ottley, esq., F.S.A. on a Latin manuscript of Aratus (as translated by Cicero), in the Harleian Collection, which has hitherto been considered, from the writing, to be of no higher antiquity than the eighth or ninth century, but which Mr. Ottley, from the style of the miniature illuminations, and costume of the figures, is inclined to refer to a date before the age of Constantine. There is a Saxon copy of this manuscript in the same collection, in which alterations in the costume of the figures are visible, which are not seen in that under consideration. The minuscule or small capital characters in which the MS. under discussion is written, Mr. Ottley considers to be paralleled by some which have been found in the papyri of Herculaneum; but it is to be remembered, that such are of frequent occurrence in Saxon charters. Feb. 20. Thomas Amyot, esq. Treas. John Gage, esq. Director, communicated an account of a further excavation near the Bartlow Hills, Essex. Between the centre barrow before opened and the great hill, marks of foundations had been perceived from the appearance of the grass, and on excavating, some flint walls were discovered in the form of a parallelogram, 30 feet long by 11 wide, which was probably the base of a Roman sepulchre. In digging out this foundation, a Roman coin was found, and it was exhibited to the Society, being third brass of the Emperor Valens-reverse, a figure of Victory walking. The reading of Mr. Ottley's paper was continued, and various interesting facsimiles of the MSS. of Aratus, both presumed Roman and Saxon, were displayed. Also specimens of drawings and characters from the Vatican Terence, and of cursive or running hand Roman characters. Some curious examples of Greek, in which a character resembling the Taw cross T expressed the X. THE NEWCASTLE ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY. An The twenty-first anniversary of this Society was held in their apartments on the 5th February last, Charles William Bigge, esq. Chairman of the Quarter Sessions for the county of Northumberland, and one of the Vice Presidents, in the chair. There were present Sir John Trevelyan, Bart., Sir Charles Monck, Bt., and a numerous assemblage of members. interesting account was read by John Adamson, esq. one of the Secretaries, relative to the proceedings of the Society for the last year, which was followed by an elaborate report drawn up by the Rev. John Hodgson, Vicar of Hartburne, the senior Secretary, and now one of the Vice Presidents, with respect to the discoveries made in the month of June last by the committee appointed to superintend the investigation of the very important Roman station, Borcovicus or Housesteads, upon the WALL; for defraying the expenses of which, a subscription had been entered into by the members of the Society, and a few public-spirited individuals. Further proceedings in this celebrated station are contemplated during the present year, and there is every reason to believe, from the spirit which at present prevails among its members, that under the auspices of this Society, every important camp and station, per lineam vulli, will be in its turn thoroughly investigated; when, if we may judge from discoveries already made at Housesteads, very important additions will be made to our present knowledge of Roman Britain. Mr. Hodgson's report included notices of discoveries made at Little Chesters, by the Rev. A. Hedley, during the last twelve months, consisting of numerous Roman altars, with legible and valuable inscriptions, and of proceedings at Burd-Oswald or Amboglana, the last station on the wall westwards of which the original name has been ascertained, with other original information. A paper was then read by the Rev. James Raine, Librarian of Durham Cathedral, on the subject of a Saxon Armilla of pure gold and elaborate workmanship, found a short time ago at Catterick, to which was suspended a cross of the same material, set with precious stones still retaining their splendour. A paper manifesting great research and learning was next read by the Rev. John Raine, Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, illustrative of an inscription found in the Roman camp at Piersebridge in 1832, commemorative of the deity BELENUS, and containing a minute enquiry into the origin and history of the worship of the Sun; and there was presented to the Society a very valuable communication by J. T. Brockett, esq. jun., with respect to some interesting stone monuments in one of the northern islands of Scotland. The Society afterwards dined together in their large room. hope to present to our readers, in our next number, a copy of a speech made by the Rev. James Raine, in the course of the evening, on the subject of the different Repositories of Records in the City of Durham, and their contents. Such information cannot fail to be peculiarly valuable to our antiquarian readers, coming as it does from one who has for many years made the history of the northern counties his peculiar study. We EGYPTIAN AND ABYSSINIAN ANTIQUITIES. The German naturalist, M. Ruppell, of Frankfort on the Maine, has just concluded an extensive journey in Abyssinia, whence he has brought numerous very curious and valuable specimens of natural history. This distinguished traveller is at present at Cairo, waiting for an opportunity to return to Europe. The name of M. Ruppell is already known and esteemed by the scientific world, from various publications, and from the produce of his researches in Sennar and Cordofan. Among the most remarkable objects collected by him in his travels, there are some Abyssinian manuscripts, said to be as early as the first or second century of the vulgar era, as well as some gold coins of the Abyssinian Princes who were contemporary with Constantine. M. Ruppell has also been engaged in deciding several most important questions in geography. Another explorer of Egypt, who seems to be as equally ardent as all who have preceded him, has arrived at Alexandria; Mr. Burton is waiting there for a conveyance to England. He has been eleven years in traversing Egypt in every direction, and more particularly that part of the Desert which lies between the Nile and the Red Sea. In the course of his explorations, he has gathered a mass of material for the improvement of science. His inquiries have been turned alternately to geology, conchology, and zoology. He has brought with him some living animals, among which is a young giraffe, and a small but very rare creature resembling a marmot, or dormouse, and which, in Arabia, is called the ovebar. Mr. Burton has also employed his scientific investigations upon hieroglyphics. He has been accompanied throughout his long and toilsome travels by Mr. Humphries, an able artist, who has copied a great number of hieroglyphics. Some of his drawings have been lithographed at Cairo. SEPULCHRAL REMAINS AT WYMONDHAM ABBEY, NORFOLK. In consequence of the numerous interments which have of late years taken place at Wymondham, Norfolk, it became necessary to enlarge the churchyard; and a piece of ground at the east end of the present church, including the site of the original choir, was granted for that purpose by the Vicar, the Rev. Wm. Papillon. In levelling this ground, the labourers, on the 23rd of December, came upon a flag-stone, covering a brick grave, which was found to contain two lead cases, the largest six feet two inches long, the other, which was placed at its head, measuring only sixteen inches and a quarter. On the 27th the cases were opened in the presence of the ministers, churchwardens, the medical gentlemen of the town, Mr. John Dalrymple (who conducted the examination), and other gentlemen, to the number of about sixty. On turning over the lead of the larger one, a body appeared in the form of a mummy, covered with a thin light brown composition (of a mineral and vegetable mixture) which readily fell off in flakes. The cerecloth next appeared, secured round the body with cord. The gentlemen who undertook to develope the body began at the chest, and opened the cerecloth downwards with considerable difficulty; the whole of this part was in a semi-fluid state. A fine set of young teeth were exhibited; the hair, probably originally auburn, had a reddish tinge, and from its being folded on the right side of the head, the medical gentlemen were of opinion that it had been detached prior to interment. On opening the small case and cerecloth, a fine perfume issued from the enclosure, arising from its being found filled with cummin seed. After removing a considerable quantity of this seed, a further envelope was discovered, in which, amongst salt, cummin, coriander, and other seeds and fragments of odoriferous wood, was found a foetus of about the fourth month. No traces were discovered of any ornament or mark to fix the period of interment; but, from the care bestowed on the remains, they are evidently those of a lady of high rank, and it has even been conjectured, from their having been found in the choir, which was under the especial care of the religious, that they may have been those of Maud, wife of William de Albani, the founder of the Abbey, who died in the year 1121, and was interred at the foot of the high altar. After this discovery, it was resolved to dig over the whole choir, and some other bodies have been discovered in a similar state of preservation. CHATEAU DE POMPADOUR. A The Chateau de Pompadour, to which so many historical recollections are attached, and which was a superb monument of the style of the middle ages, erected by the illustrious family of Lastic de Lastours, and was once the residence of an Archbishop of that name, though latterly converted into a stud-house, lately in great part fell a prey to the flames. quantity of plate and money was melted, the clock-tower, another tower, and the building between them, with the clock, and nearly the whole of the furniture, were consumed, with a large store of corn, but fortunately the papers belonging to the establishment were saved. The loss is estimated at 100,000f. HISTORICAL CHRONICLE. PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT. Feb. 4. The two Houses of Parliament were opened this day by the King in person. After the usual formalities, his Majesty delivered the following speech. "My Lords and Gentlemen, "In calling you again together for the discharge of your high duties, I rely with entire confidence on your zeal and diligence, on your sincere devotion to the public interests, and on your firmness in supporting, on its ancient foundations, and in the just distributions of its powers, the established Constitution of the State. These qualities eminently distinguished your labours during the last Session, in which more numerous and more important questions were brought under consideration of Parliament than during any former period of similar duration. Of the measures which have, in consequence, received the sanction of the Legislature, one of the most difficult and important was the Bill for the Abolition of Slavery. The manner in which that beneficent measure has been received throughout the British colonies, and the progress already made in carrying it into execution by the Legislature of the island of Jamaica, afford just grounds for anticipating the happiest results. Many other important subjects will still call for your most attentive consideration. The reports which I will order to be laid before you from the Commissions appointed to inquire into the state of the municipal corporations, into the administration and effect of the poor laws, and into ecclesiastical revenues and patronage in England and Wales, cannot fail to afford you much useful information, by which you will be enabled to judge of the nature and extent of any existing defects and abuses, and in what manner the necessary corrections may, in due season, be safely and beneficially applied. It has been the constant aim of my policy to secure to my people the uninterrupted enjoyment of the blessings of peace. In this I have been much assisted by the good understanding which has been so happily established between my government and that of France; and the assurances which I receive of the friendly disposition of the other Powers of the Continent, give me confidence in the continued success of my endeavours. I have, however, to regret that a final settlement between Holland and Belgium has not yet been effected, and that the civil war in Portugal still continues. You may be assured that I will be careful and anxious to avail myself of any opportunity which may afford me the means of assisting the establishment of a state of security and peace in countries the interests of which are so intimately connected with those of my dominions. Upon the death of the late King of Spain I did not hesitate to recognize the succession of his infant daughter; and I shall watch with the greatest solicitude the progress of events which may effect a Government, the peaceable settlement of which is of the first importance to this country as well as to the general tranquillity of Europe. The peace of Turkey, since the settlement that was made with Mehemet Ali, has not been interrupted; and will not, I trust, be threatened with any new danger. It will be my object to prevent any change in the relations of that empire with other Powers which might affect its future stability and independence. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons, I have directed the estimates for the ensuing year to be laid before you. They have been framed with a view to the strictest economy, and to such reductions as may not be injurious to the public service. I am confident I may rely on your enlightened patriotism, and on the cheerful acquiescence of my people, for supplying the means which may be required to uphold the honour of my Crown and the interest of my dominions. accounts which will be laid before you of the state of the revenue, as compared with the expenditure, will be found most satisfactory. The "I have to lament the continuance of distress amongst the proprietors and occupiers of land; though in other respects the state of the country, both as regards its internal tranquillity and its commerce and manufactures, affords the most encouraging prospect of progressive improvement. "The Acts passed in the last Session for carrying into effect various salutary and remedial measures in Ireland, are now in operation, and further improvements may be expected to result from the Com But I have missions which have been issued for other important objects of inquiry. I recommend to you the early consideration of such an adjustment of the tithes in that part of the United Kingdom as may extinguish all just causes of complaint, without injury to the rights and property of any class of my subjects, or to any institution in Church or State. The public tranquillity has been generally preserved, and the state of all the provinces of Ireland presents, upon the whole, a much more favourable appearance than at any period during the last year. seen with feelings of deep regret and just indignation the continuance of attempts to excite the people of that country to demand a repeal of the Legislative Union. This bond of our national strength and safety I have already declared my fixed and unalterable resolution, under the blessing of Divine Providence, to maintain inviolable by all the means in my power. In support of this determination I cannot doubt the zealous and effectual co-operation of my Parliament and my people. To the practices which have been used to produce disaffection to the State, and mutual distrust and animosity between the people of the two countries, is chiefly to be attributed the spirit of insubordination which, though for the present in a great degree controlled by the power of the law, has been but too perceptible in many instances. To none more than to the deluded instruments of the agitation thus perniciously excited, is the continuance of such a spirit productive of the most ruinous consequences; and the united and vigorous exertions of the loyal and well-affected, in aid of the Government, are imperiously required to put an end to a system of excitement and violence which, while it continues, is destructive of the peace of society, and, if successful, must inevitably prove fatal to the power and safety of the United Kingdom." In the HOUSE OF LORDS, the usual Address to the Speech was moved by the Duke of Sutherland, and seconded by the Lord Howard of Effingham, who briefly commented on the various topics of the speech. After some remarks from the Duke of Wellington, who spoke in disapprobation of the Speech, the Address was agreed to. In the HOUSE OF COMMONS, the Address was moved by Mr. Shaw Lefevre, and seconded by Mr. Morrison. Mr. Hume proposed an amendment relative to Church Reform, which, after some discussion, was rejected by a majority of 191 to 39. After some other amend ments had been proposed and rejected, the original Address was agreed to. The House then agreed to sit each day from twelve to three o'clock, for the presentation of Petitions. HOUSE OF COMMONS, Feb. 5. The House proceeded to take into consideration the Report of the Address on the King's Speech.-Mr. Finn moved an amendment on that part of the Address respecting Ireland, to the effect that the people of that country were not guilty of outrage by seeking for a repeal of the Union. Mr. O'Connell said that the question of the Coercion Act had given rise to some extraordinary statements; and he wished to ask Ministers whether there was any ground for Mr. Hill's observation respecting the conduct of Irish members, whom he accused of opposing the Coercion Bill in public, and supporting it in private?-Lord Althorp answered for himself and his colleagues, that no such assertion had been made to any Cabinet Minister; but he would not be acting a manly part if he did not also state that some members who spoke with considerable violence and voted against the Coercion Bill, had, in private conversation, held a very different language.-Mr. Sheil asked whether his name was one of those alluded to?-Lord Althorp said that the learned gentleman was one of those persons alluded to.-Mr. Shiel declared that if any individual ever stated that he had expressed his approbation of the Coercion Bill, he had been guilty of a scandalous falsehood.-After some further discussion, the Speaker called upon Mr. Sheil for a declaration that the matter then before the House should not be agitated out of it.Mr. Sheil declined making such a declaration.-Lord Althorp was then called on. His Lordship replied that, as he felt no offence, he would pledge himself to take no step in the matter; but, as to his not responding to any proceedings that might be taken out of the House, he could give no assurance.-On the motion of Sir F. Burdett, it was then ordered that Lord Althorp and Mr. Shiel should be committed to the custody of the Serjeant-atArms. Both members were shortly afterwards in custody. The Address was finally agreed to; after which, Mr. Stanley communicated to the House that the Chancellor of the Exchequer, yielding to his colleagues' representations, and not desiring to impede public business, was prepared to give the required assurance. His lordship returned to his seat, amidst considerable cheering, and gave the assurA communication was afterwards ance. |