production was highly applauded by the judge, the Ven. Archdeacon Williams, Warden of the Welsh Institution at Llandovery, and Sir John Guest liberally undertook the expense of its publication. The prize was presented to the author by the Chev. Bunsen.

A prize of ten guineas (accompanied by a bust of the deceased) offered for the best elegy on the late Very Rev. Bruce Knight, Dean of Llandaff, by Mrs. Bruce Pryce, of Dyffryn, and Sir Benj. Hall, was awarded to Mr. Aneurin Jones, of Gellygroes. One of ten guineas from Lady Hall and T. Wakeman, esq. of Graig, for the best stanza to be placed on the tomb of Legonidec, the celebrated Breton antiquary and lexicographer, was adjudged to Mr.John Jenkins, of Marlakes; another of ten guineas contributed by Lady Hall and Lady Chetwynd, for the best elegy on the late Sir Charles Morgan, Bart. to Mr. William Jones, of Machen. By Lady Hall, two guineas for the best song on the beauty and uses of the white lime of Wales, to Mr. John Jones, architect, of London. By the Marquess of Bute, ten guineas, for the best essay on the etymology and early history of Caerphilly, to Mr. Thomas Stephens, of Merthyr. By Mr. Thomas Stephens, of Merthyr, five guineas, for the best Welsh translation of Mrs. Marcett's Dialogues on Optics, to Mr. Evan Meredith. By the editors of the Archæologia Cambrensis, for the best account of the origin of Mari Lwyd or Pen Ceffyl, a custom observed at Christmas in many parts of the Principality, ten guineas, to "Newydd." By Lady Parry, of Madryn, five guineas for the best historical account of the Statuta Wailiæ, or the Statutes of Rhuddlan, by which Wales was annexed to England, to the Rev. Thomas Price. Some other literary prizes were offered, but found no competitor. A subscription prize of 721. 108. of which 207. was contributed by the late Dwarkanauth Tagore (when present at the previous Eisteddfod), and 107. 108. each by the Lord Bishop of St. David's, Lord James Stuart, Lady Hall, Miss Webb, and J. A. Herbert, esq. of Llanarth, for the best model in plaster, of an historical group illustrative of Cambro-British history, was allotted to Mr. John Evan Thomas, F.S.A., formerly of Brecon, and now of London. The subject he selected was the death of Tewdric, King of Gwent, in the moment of victory over the Saxons at Mathern on the Wye.

JOURNEY TO DISCOVER THE SOURCES OF THE NILE.

Dr. Friedrich Bialloblotzky, of the University of Göttingen, who has for many years been resident in this country

and is well known in the literary world, has lately left England, with the intention of undertaking the solution of this most interesting geographical problem in a way directly opposite to that in which all previous attempts have been made. The following is the plan of Dr. Bialloblotzky's journey, as settled with Dr. Beke, at whose instance it has been undertaken, and who has himself accomplished an important journey in Eastern Africa :

"Proceed from Egpyt to Aden, and thence to Mombás on the East Coast of Africa, in about 4 degrees of South latitude. At Mombás, or in its vicinity, make arrangements for travelling into the interior with a native caravan or otherwise.

"It is anticipated that a journey of about 300 or 400 miles from the coast, in a direction between W. and N. W. will bring the traveller to the edge of the tableland of Eastern Africa, at the waterparting between the basin of the Upper Nile and those of the rivers Lufidji, Ozi (Pokomózi or Maro), and Sabáki, flowing eastwards into the Indian Ocean.

"On reaching the table land, determine the Southern limits of the basin of the Nile, or that extensive tract of Africa which drains towards Egypt; and visit, if possible, the sources of the principal streams which unite to form that river. Obtain information respecting the great lake, said to exist in the interior near the parallel in which the traveller will then be.

"Having explored the head-streams of the Nile, proceed further westwards across the continent, should facilities present themselves for so doing: if not, trace the course of the river downwards to Sennár and Egpyt. Notice any branches joining the main stream, and ascertain, as far as practicable, their length and direction.

"Note the bearings and distances of the journey; observe the latitude; make meteorological observations; and determine the elevation of the land by means of both the thermometrical and the aneroid barometer; which instruments, together with a sextant and artificial horizon, azimuth compass, and others, are furnished for use.

"Record, carefully, all observations made. Describe the nature of the countries traversed, with their productions and capabilities for cultivation, commerce, and colonization; also the character, manners, and customs of the inhabitants, and their fitness for instruction or for emigration.

"Ascertain the state of slavery and the slave trade, both on the coast and in the interior.

"Collect vocabularies of the languages, and other materials for their investigation;

and make all other suitable observations and inquiries.

"Transmit full reports to Dr. Beke at every opportunity."

Dr. Bialloblotzky's journey is undertaken with the help of subscriptions, which Dr. Beke has been collecting on his behalf and still continues to receive.

MUSEUM AT MAIDSTONE.

An institution has been formed in Maidstone called the Kent Natural History and Archæological Museum. Its objects are the collecting, naming, and arranging the natural products of the county of Kent,and the illustration and description of the archæological relics of the same district. The confining the objects of a museum to

a particular locality is, we think, judicious, and likely to be attended with more valuable contributions to science than if a wider sphere had been contemplated. We wish the promoters of this Institution success; and think it an example in every way worthy of being followed in other counties of the kingdom. The first annual report has been published; and from the intelligent apprehension displayed by the committee of the value of such an Institution in a practical point of view, we should augur well for its success. We hope there will be no lack of supporters and contributors in the county whose ancient history and natural products it is intended to illustrate.

BEDFORDSHIRE ARCHEOLOGICAL

SOCIETY.

Sept. 19. The annual meeting of this society was held at Bedford, the Hon. G. R. Trevor in the chair. The following antiquities were exhibited :-A small Roman lamp, by Mr. Talbot Barnard, found at the St. Augustine catacombs, in Rome. Various lithographs of curious specimens of glass, metal, and other Roman ornaments, by Mr. Inskip, of Shefford. Sundry Roman vases found in the gravel-pits at Biddenham, with a portion of human bones; also several coins. A metal thumb-ring, supposed to be of the reign of Richard III. exhibited by the Hon G. R. Trevor. A lock of hair of Thomas Beaufort, Duke of Exeter, who died in 1426, from the Abbey of Bury St. Edmund's. The solemn league and covenant, as taken by the inhabitants of Swineshead, co. Huntingdon, in 1644, found concealed in the roof of the rectoryhouse of that place; and a portion of the leaden conduit-pipe of Trinity college, Cambridge, laid down in 1461, and taken up in 1841, exhibited by the Rev. W. Airy. An interesting paper was read by Mr. French, on the ancient character of Egypt; and Mr. Inskip read an account of such antique relics as have from time to time been found in Bedfordshire. Of this paper the following is an abstract:

"British relics are the most scarce, being most distant in point of time, as well as more meagre in their deposits: a gold coin of the earliest age, found at Silsoe,-a rude celt, formed of jade stone found in Bedfordshire, and a British flint spear of very large size and exquisitely wrought, dug from the railroad near Leighton, are all that have fallen to my possession.

"Of Roman relics no place in Bedfordshire has furnished the quantity or the quality equal to Shefford. About four dozen Samian cups,-dishes and pateræ, of various shapes and patterns, have been there discovered, and at Stanford Bury, in its immediate vicinity. These were in my possession for nearly twenty years, and formed the nucleus of an extensive collection, and which ought to be standing in this room at this time instead of the Fitzwilliam Museum, where these coralcoloured gems are now placed, there to stand and perpetually blush for the want of taste and public spirit in a former aristocracy of the county.

"A vast variety of other reliquiæ were found with these; some splendid articles in glass, a beautiful radiated amber-coloured vase, quite perfect; a splendid blue jug, or simpulum, of elegant form, and the sacred knife that accompanies the simpulum on the reverses of coins of Antoninus and other emperors, as emblems of the imperial and pontifical dignity. A few yards from hence was dug up the bones of a horse and the ashes of his rider, together with an iron implement evidently formed to pick the horse's hoofs and fasten his shoes. With these were found a small silver musical instrument, a denarius of Septimus Geta, representing him at the age of nine or ten years; another also of Geta was found near, apparently two or three years older; these coins were of fine workmanship and in beautiful condition.

"Conjecturing from the sacred character of many of the deposits that this was the burial place of the pontifex maximus, as well also as from its being inclosed with a wall forming an area still traceable under

ground, I could not help surmising a Roman temple must be somewhere near. After many attempts the foundation was found in an adjoining field, forming an area of 20 feet by 30 feet. In the neighbourhood is a pond, still called Oman's pond, from which the Romans dug the clay to form the coarser descriptions of pottery, a great quantity of its mutilated remains having been deposited round the foundation, together with numerous fragments of the so-called Samian ware.

"At Stanford Bury the area of a camp is still very visible, and I feel assured the pretorium occupied the spot on which the farm-house now stands. The embankments on one side of the camp are still very perceptible. At the distance of two fields, and almost close to the Southill road, I discovered the vaults alluded to, one of which was doubtless the restingplace of the ashes of the old Roman General. This sepulchre was full of treasure dear to the eyes of the antiquary. A great number of terra cotta vases, both black and red, and of every conceivable shape and description of variety, adorned this silent house of death; with fragments of the same, nearly enough to fill two peck measures; the most perfect of these are at Cambridge, together with one very large amphora, containing a ball of pitch in its foot. Six other urns, most of them equally large, and one still larger, were found with them. Here also were found the crumbling remains of several culinary articles, brass pans more than two feet in diameter, the iron rims and handles of which were left, the thin brass bottoms vanishing like ghosts at the light of day!

"Two iron fire-dogs, two feet ten inches high, and three feet in length, stood on one side of the vault; they have a fine spirited stag's head at each end, with two iron bars curiously wrought to lay horizontally between the horns, from which pots and kettles might depend in two rows, thus making the most possible use of the same fire. An iron tripod turning with a swivel on the top and when opened having a chain and pot-hooks descending from the centre, accompanied the fire-dogs. The fragments of a brass saucepan with finely ornamented handle, plated with silver inside, the lid also plated, was luckily saved, and the whole relic is highly interesting. Two singular iron handles of some utensils which I doubt not were ladles, stood one at each corner of the vault; their upper ends are finished by a grofesque head with asinine ears, and the tongue lolling from the mouth like the mimes and buffoons employed to amuse the patricians at the triclinium. These ludicrous figures have a cross stamped on the forehead.

"From these more ponderous relics at

tention was directed to several white and black tesseræ, the latter of jet,-of the size of peppermint lozenges, flat at bottom and rounded at the top. Tessera were also used to place in the abacus or counting board by the Romans to facilitate the casting up of accounts. Close to these was found a musical instrument somewhat resembling a flute, each hole for the fingers having a separate joint,-it is formed of the tibia of some animal, and has two openings to receive the breath of the player, which it may be concluded were intended to render the tone sharper or otherwise by due regulation.

"A bronze ewer or jug was the next article to attract attention, the shape of which is exquisite. The upper rim and mouth of singular shape, somewhat resembling a figure of eight. The handle is of surpassing elegance; a beautiful female with extended arms embraces the outer and back part of the upper edge or rim, and it terminates with two fine masks.

"At only twelve paces distant a second vault was opened, containing relics of a very different order. These were all of a female character; and here, with respect to the noble dames of Rome, I turned with delight to contemplate those very beautiful glass vases alluded to by Juvenal in his sixth satire, some of which held the mystic wash that heightened and improved Roman beauty. A splendid glass bowl, radiated in high relief, and a bottle to match, were disinterred without the slightest fracture, also a purple-coloured bottle equally perfect, this latter belonging to a splendid glass urn of Grecian shape with ansæ double-fluted; the bottle and this purple vase formed a second suite of glass, but the latter was too much mutilated to admit of restoration. Near to these splendid articles of glass was placed a toilet-box, finely embossed with bronze scroll work of very elegant pattern. This box had contained silver zone buckles, ear-rings, blue glass beads, silver tweezers, fibula, &c. A fine armilla of jet or shale was lying close by, and a coin of first brass, but too mutilated to decipher. Two elegant urns contained the ashes of the deceased, about three feet in height, and which stood reclining and touching each other at one end of the sepulchre. A great number of the common snail shells were deposited in the foot of each urn.

"On another occasion, at Warden, were discovered two fine Grecian-shaped amphora of large size; with these were found two singularly-shaped jars formed of shale, or cannel coal. One of these is quite perfect, the other nearly so. These were dug up close to a Danish encampment near the church, which, though it has been mutilated for agricultural purposes, shows its

circumvallations and fosses pretty entire. The name of this spot is Quint's Hill, a slight deviation, I presume, from Knute's Hill."

Mr. Inskip then proceeded to notice some fine geological specimens found in Bedfordshire

"Some years since, when digging the navigable canal at Shefford, many horns of a species of ox of enormous size were found, which are now placed in the museum of the College of Surgeons, London. In the detritus of the same valley, formerly swept by an arm of the sea, and close to the town of Shefford, I found at various periods not less than seven mammoth's teeth, one weighing 6 lbs. one 3 lbs. and one 73 lbs. Contiguous to these teeth were indications of other portions of this gigantic animal. These remains were found lying on the surface of the new red sandstone, at a depth of about 17 feet. Nor has the vale of Bedford produced specimens of less interest to geology, witness a fine fossil skeleton of the plesiosaurus discovered a few years since."

THE PEMBROKE COLLECTION OF COINS.

Thomas the eighth Earl of Pembroke, who enjoyed that title from 1683 to 1733, formed this famous collection, and caused it to be engraved in a series of copperplates, which was published, with an index by the celebrated antiquary Joseph Ames, in 4to. 1746. After the lapse of a century, this collection has been dispersed by a public sale during the present year. It commenced at the rooms of Messrs. Sotheby and Wilkinson, on the 31st of July, and occupied twelve days. We shall enumerate some of the most remarkable treasures of this cabinet, with their prices. A penny of Offa King of Mercia, in an extraordinary state of preservation, sold for 10 guineas; whilst a penny of Cynethryth, his queen, produced the large sum of 311.; Wiglaf King of Mercia, a penny, struck between the years 825 and 839, sold for 30. A penny of Sitric King of Northbria, in a perfect state, and considered unique, struck A.D. 915, sold for 401.; a penny of Anlaf, another of the Kings of Northumbria, sold for 237. Among the ecclesiastical coins a penny dedicated to St. Martin, having on the obverse a sword and "Sci Martii," and struck at Lincoln in the eighth century, sold for 16 guineas; a penny of Vulfred Archbishop of Canterbury, in perfect condition and unique, sold for 81. 2s. 6d. ; Vigmund Archbishop of York, A.D. 851, a gold solidus weighing 67 grains, having on the obverse a bust with full face, and on the reverse a cross within a wreath, sold for 591.; a silver penny of Henry Bishop of Winchester, the illegitimate brother of Stephen, unique,

and weighing 15 grains, sold for 201. 10s. A penny of Ecgbercht sold for 161. 58.; and one of Harthacnut for 171. Of the English coins, a penny of Henry I, sold for 11.; and one of Robert, Earl of Gloucester, his illegitimate son, being the only specimen known, except one in the British Museum, sold for 11. 10s.; a penny of Eustace, son of Stephen, sold for 17. 108. Henry VII, a shilling struck in the year 1504, and the first coin known by the name sold for 221. A testoon, or shilling of Edward VI. sold for 157, Charles I., a 20 shilling piece of the Oxford Mint, struck in the year 1644, in an extremely fine condition, sold for 251. 10s.; a curious siege piece, an oblong piece of silver, rudely impressed with a castle, struck at Scarborough, sold for 241, 10s.. Among the English coins in gold were— a noble of Henry IV. struck before his 13th year, and of great rarity, sold for 21.; a ryal, or half-sovereign, of Henry VII. 100 guineas; a double ryal, or sove. reign, of the same monarch, sold for 221.

(Second day.)-A pattern for a six-angel piece, of Edward VI. presumed to be unique from the fact of all the books upon the coinage citing this specimen, sold for the large sum of 1857. An uncertain pattern or coronation jetton of the same monarch, bearing date 1547, and of great rarity, sold for 57. Oliver Cromwellpattern for a fifty-shilling piece, by Simon, 1656, 76.; a pattern for a tenshilling piece of Oliver Cromwell, 211. 10s. Patterns of English coins in silver-a pattern for a penny of Edward IV. sold for 51. 58. The Commonwealth-pattern for a half-crown by Blondeau, having on the obverse "The Commonwealth of England," with St. George's Cross on a shield, between a branch of palm and a branch of laurel, and on the reverse "God with us, 1651," above two shields, one with the Cross of St. George, and the other with the Irish Harp-it sold for 217.; a pattern for a shilling of the same type, equally beautiful, sold for 13/. 10s.

Rammages'" pattern half-crown, a most beautiful coin, sold for 271. 10s. Oliver Cromwell-a pattern sixpence, by Simon, sold for 87. Charles II.-the celebrated pattern crown, by Simon, well known as the "Petition Crown," though not so fine as that formerly Mr. Durrant's, sold for 1351. Among the Scottish coins -a testoon or shilling of Mary Queen of Scots sold for 81.; and a gold ryal of the same Queen's for 7. 10s. James VI.a piece of 201. Scottish, of the utmost rarity, only seven or eight specimens known, sold for 91. 10s. Among the Irish siege pieces of Charles I.-two Inchiquin groats of irregular octagonal form, having the weight, 1 as, stamped