spiral object exhibited in the Museum of the Institute at the Oxford Meeting. This is now amongst the collections at the Tower Armory. M. Pulski remarked that relics of this fashion are of frequent occurrence in Hungary. He observed that Indian antiquities had not yet received the notice which they deserve, in an artistic point of view, and he was desirous to call the attention of English antiquaries to the subject. The best and most interesting assemblage of examples was probably that in the possession of the Prince Louis, at Munich; and a very remarkable collection exists at Leyden. Sir Stamford Raffles had published some remarkable objects connected with the idolatrous worship of Java. The impression seemed to prevail, however, that Indian antiquities possess no artistic merit, a notion which may have arisen from the circumstance that the more fantastic specimens of Indian workmanship seem chiefly to have been brought to Europe; but M. Pulski affirmed that there exist examples of a character scarcely inferior to that of Greek art. The numerous subjects, now submitted to the Society, were chiefly selected from the collection of ancient art, formed in Hungary, from which he had on previous occasions produced examples of medieval antiquities, and they would be found to comprise works of the artists of India in former times, evincing much knowledge of design and grace of execution. He pointed out several remarkable bronzes, discovered in excavations made in Java; also Burmese antiquities; sculptures representing animals, executed in China, with some sculptured vases from the same country.

By the REV. W. GUNNER.-Three ancient bronze candlesticks, found in digging a grave at Winchester. They are formed with the spike, or priket, to receive the candle, instead of a socket: one of them, which had been partly formed of iron, now much decayed, appeared of early date, possibly of the twelfth century.

By MR. HAWKINS.-Two gold rings, found with a hoard of 259 silver coins, consisting of 78 of Edward the Confessor (Hawkins, Type 223), 159

of Harold (Hawkins, Type 231), and 22 of William the Conqueror (first coinage, Hawkins, Type 233). They were found in a field near Wickham Lodge, Soberton, Hants, in a vessel of dingy red ware, which was immediately broken, or crumbled to pieces. One of the gold ornaments is a tore ring, resembling that in Mr. Whincopp's Museum, stated to have been found in Suffolk (Journal, vol. vi., p. 58, No. 14). Its weight is 238 grains. The other is a penannular ring, of which a representation is here given; it is punched with small circles, and weighs 258 grains. This discovery is very interesting as an evidence of the period to which ornaments of this kind may be assigned.

Gold ring, found near
Soberton, Hants.

By the REV. C. BINGHAM.-Drawings of several fragments of painted glass-date, the earlier half of the fifteenth century-existing in the church of Bingham's Melcombe, Dorset. They consist of the head of a regal personage, nimbed, and holding a sceptre: the crown richly foliated. A scutcheon held by a demi-angel, in the east window of the chancel, as noticed in Hutchins's "History of Dorset." The arms are those of Turges, azure, a chevron between three cross crosslets fitchy, in a bordure engrailed, or. This family was possessed of a moiety of the manor of Melcombe, by marriage with Dionysia, heiress of one of the De Cernes, the ancient lords,

:

as stated by Leland (Itin. vol. iii., p. 47). The last of the race, Richard Turges, died 20 Henry VII. The bordure of their coat does not here appear at first sight to be engrailed, the edge being concealed by the leading of the glass in the windows of Mapowder Church, it was formerly to be seen with the engrailed bordure, as given by Hutchins. The other fragments consist of a broken figure of the Saviour, with the cruciform nimb, his right hand upraised in benediction, a mound with a cross on his left. Also a small fish, the body traversed by a hook (?), probably a device or rebus. The name of Herring occurs in connection with the property held by the De Cernes.

By MR. WESTWOOD.-A rubbing from a cross fleury, recently found under the flooring, at Newborough Church, in Anglesea. The head of the cross is very elegantly designed, forming a wheel, and the sides are enriched with flowing foliage. An inscription runs down the centre of the shaft, which has been read thus, HIC IACET EDD' BARKER CV' AI’E P'PICIET' D'.

Also a rubbing of the singular inscription around the top of a font at Brecknock, of which no explanation has hitherto been suggested.

By MR. FORREST.-An ivory hunting-horn, curiously carved with subjects, in which a singular mixture of European and Oriental character is seen, so that it is difficult to determine the country or period to which objects of this peculiar workmanship may be assigned. This horn measures 22 inches in length, the mouth-piece issues from the jaws of a monstrous head, bearing on the brow a cross, with limbs of equal length; at the other, or widest end, is twice introduced a blundered achievement of the arms of Portugal. Two figures, of very Indian aspect, with a castle between them, hold aloft an escutcheon in an inverted position, resembling the coat of Portugal, but the castles on the bordure are carved as little square ornaments enclosing quatrefoils. An intention to imitate the heraldic design is evident, but in a manner which seems to prove that the sculptor was ignorant of European usages. The other carvings represent subjects of the chace, and bowmen aiming very long shafts at various animals. Amongst the ornaments is found a winged scaly monster, with two legs, a kind of wyvern, resembling the supporters and crest of the arms of Portugal, explained to be the fiery serpents which assailed the Israelites. Bands of interlaced work appear, presenting a style of design which may have led some antiquaries to ascribe a Scandinavian origin to these sculptures.

M. PULSKI laid before the meeting a beautiful drawing of a horn of this class, preserved in the collection before-mentioned. The ornaments and style were almost identical with those by which Mr. Forrest's horn is characterised. He observed, that ivory horns of this description are preserved in Hungary, and have been regarded as objects sculptured in the North of Europe. One specimen, which he had examined, had been attributed to an Hungarian chief of the tenth century.

An exceedingly curious covered cup, of the same class of carvings, was formerly in the Allan Collection, and is now preserved in the Museum of the Antiquaries of Newcastle: a representation is given in Mr. Fox's Synopsis of the Allan Museum, p. 183. It presents the same strange mixture of Oriental design, with subjects evidently Christian-the Virgin

3 The arms are different: one coat has a crowned eagle in the centre of the shield, another has a saltire. Both, however,

have the bordure imitating that of the arms of Portugal.

and child, and the cross, with monstrous animals, and a blundered imitation of the arms of Portugal, inverted. A Latin inscription, on parchment, is attached to it, no longer legible.

Two other horns, of precisely similar workmanship, deserve to be mentioned in connection with these singular objects. One is given by Olaus Wormius, lib. v., p. 435, " Danicorum Monumentorum " Hafniæ, 1643. It was at Florence, in the possession of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, and exhibited the hunting of stags and lions, the Portuguese arms, and a cross patée: around the mouth, was inscribed,-DOM LVÍS: IMFAMTE. The learned Dane supposed this to be the second son of Emanuel, King of Portugal (1495-1521), and brother of John III. Don Luis never succeeded to the throne, but was always styled "Infant," and Prince Antonio, his natural son, was one of the claimants of the throne in 1578.

The other ivory horn referred to, was in the Museum at the Jesuits' College, at Rome, and is given by Bonanni in the "Museum Kircherianum” (Roma, 1709, pl. 299, p. 281). It bears much resemblance to Mr. Forrest's horn, and is sculptured with hunting subjects, the arms of Portugal, very incorrectly given, and the cross patée appears near the mouth.

It has been conjectured that these objects were produced in some of the Portuguese settlements in Africa or the East, during the fifteenth or sixteenth century; a supposition which would account for the marked Asiatic character of some details of the design. The occurrence of a horn bearing the name of the Infant of Portugal, Don Luis, may serve to corroborate this supposition. It was in the reign of Emanuel, his father, that the spirit of enterprise had received a fresh impulse, and establishments for the extension of commerce were made both in Africa and the Indies. A viceroy was sent out to India in 1506; and in 1508, Goa was taken by the Portuguese, and became their chief settlement and seat of government. On the Malabar coast, where it is situated, elephants abounded, as also in Ceylon, then in the possession of the Portuguese; and it seems highly probable that these horns were carved in the East, in imitation of Portuguese models, and are not more ancient than the early part of the sixteenth century.

MR. FORREST exhibited also a large processional cross, chiefly ornamented with repoussé work, and having enamelled plates of the Evangelistic symbols. Date, about 1400.-Two chalices, one of them with a paten; the centre of the latter ornamented with transparent enamel, the subject being the Saviour seated on the rainbow, and surrounded by the emblems of the passion.-A monstrance, of silver parcel-gilt; height, 18 inches. On one side is an image of the Virgin and Child; on the other, St. Denis. Above is inscribed, 1541. ROGNOS. The goldsmith's marks are-I. L. and AQVIS, under a fleur-de-lys.-A cup, formed of a carbuncle of great size, the foot and mounting elaborately enriched with filigree and enamelled ornaments of many colours. It has a single handle, projecting from one side of the rim. This costly cup is of oval form, the greater diameter being about 3 inches, the lesser 2 inches.-A faldistory, or folding seat of state, formed of steel, wrought in open work of most elegant design, and inlaid with gold. At the back is a trophy of flags, weapons, drums, cannon, &c., arranged around an oval compartment, with this impresa,-a bird flying, three flowers, or ears of wheat beneath it. Over this device is an arched crown. The history of this remarkable throne has not been ascertained.-An Oriental dish of fine mixed yellow metal, diameter,

7 inches, entirely covered with inscriptions, arranged so as to form ornamental designs; on the underside are the twelve signs of the Zodiac, and inscriptions introduced in like manner over the whole surface.

By the REV. E. WILTON.-Drawings of some relics lately found in Wiltshire, accompanied by the following notice :-" On Charlton Down, of which Sir Richard Colt Hoare says, that traces of a British village may there be perceived, continuing to the declivity of the hill, facing Wedhampton Wells, some labourers were employed in digging a pond during the last summer. At a depth of 18 inches, they found several objects of iron (represented in the drawings), five Roman coins, the skeleton of an infant, and a large quantity of rude pottery." The iron relics comprise knives and implements, with no character sufficing to fix their age; one of the former resembling one found in a tumulus in Kent, by Douglas. (Nenia, pl. vi.) At a short distance from the spot above-named was found a globular "Bellarmine," or grey-beard, of glazed ware, with the usual bearded head at the neck, and medallions surrounded by foliage.

By MISS JULIA R. BOCKETT.-A Thaler of Sigismund, Archduke of Austria, born in 1427; died, 1496. This is generally regarded as the most ancient of the series of the Austrian silver coinage, and it was struck in the Tyrol, at the time of the discovery of the silver mines in that country. On one side is seen a standing figure of Sigismund, with heraldic ornaments; on the other, he is galloping on a charger: beneath is the date, 1486. This fine coin had been gilt, and a metal ring attached to it for suspension to a collar. See representations in "Der Cooplieden Handbouxkin," Ghend, 1544; Catal. of the "Cabinet Imperial," p. 187. By the REV. JOSEPH HUNTER.-A small enamelled triptych, of the kind used by members of the Greek

Church, as portable altar-pieces, and always carried on a journey as an object indispensable for their devotions. It was recently purchased in Germany. A specimen of this kind of folding altar, of unusual size, and with five leaves, may be seen in the Museum of Practical Geology. It was formerly at Strawberry Hill. Another very curious example is in the possession of Mr. Hooper, of Manningtree, Essex. It was found, about 1790, under the cliffs at Harwich.

By MR. HARDWICK. . Three curious specimens of medieval glazed ware, found during recent excavations at St. Bartholomew's Hospital. The glaze of mottled green colour; one of the vessels was very curiously scaled like the surface of a pine apple. (See woodcut.) Date about the fourteenth century.

Notices of Archaeological Publications.

THE ROMAN WALL: A HISTORICAL, TOPOGRAPHICAL, AND DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT OF THE BARRIER OF THE LOWER ISTHMUS, extending from the Tyne to the Solway, deduced from numerous personal Surveys. By the Rev. JOHN COLLINGWOOD BRUCE, M.A. London and Newcastle, 1831.

4to. and 8vo.

IN the History of Nations, through the succession of ages since the hand of man first was raised against his fellow, amongst the continual changes to which power, wealth, dominion, have been subjected, through the ambition or cupidity of some one great family of the human race, aroused against another, there appears no problem so inexplicable as Britain under the sway of Rome. Whether we regard the Empire in the extended range of her greatness, the fair and prosperous lands of her wide dominion, the refinements of arts and luxury, the perfection of public and social institutions, pervading all countries subjected to her rule; or we glance at the cheerless aspect of these remote Islands of the North, how may we understand the policy of Rome in her occupation of Britain ?

These considerations irresistibly arrest the thoughts in contemplating that vast monument of bold determination to which the researches of Mr. Bruce relate. The barrier betwixt the Northern Sea and the Solway may rank unequalled amongst the achievements of Roman industry and skill: we seek naturally to comprehend the strong inducement which rendered possession of these remote savage countries an object of such importance. The thirst for victory and military glory seems scarce sufficient, in a struggle with such barbarous tribes: the baser motive of avarice appears inadequate, although Tacitus wrote of the gold and silver, and even the pearls of the British seas, as the "pretium Victoria." The degree of attention bestowed upon a territory, trifling in extent, difficult to retain, scarce included in the limits of the habitable earth, appears in the frequent presence of armies and auxiliaries, and the resort hither of wealthy colonists, the vestiges of whose luxurious villas are so frequently disinterred; but more strikingly in the fact that many of the emperors came to Britain, engaged personally in the lengthened struggle for mastery, dwelt even in our island, as if it were a territory of their predilection.

The Roman Wall, too little known, we believe, to the archaeologists of southern counties, has supplied a theme to several writers of note in antiquarian literature. Their treatises are, however, beyond the reach of general readers, being given in voluminous works, costly and of uncommon occurrence. The account related by Horsley, in the "Britannia Romana," describes this great Northern Bulwark as it existed upwards of a century since. His statements have been appropriated by Warburton, who, however, made personally a detailed inspection of these remarkable remains. A later author, of high attainments in topographical research, the historian of Northumberland, has left a detailed dissertation, rich in results of long and careful enquiry, for which his residence at Newcastle afforded him