beautiful plates is that which pourtrays a morse, a kind of brooch, enriched with translucid enamel ; the best specimen probably of that progressive step in the art, existing in our country. This is from Mr. Magniac's collection, as is also another ornament of the same kind, and decorated with a central roundel of the like enamel; both these brooches are of the fourteenth century. Of the latter Mr. Shaw has kindly enabled us to give the annexed illustration ;

Enamelled Pricket, thirteenth century.

as

also the curious little "pricket" candlestick, here shown, one of a set of six, which for convenience of carriage were contrived to fit one within another. It is, moreover, remarkable as an early instance of the use of a lozenge - shaped heraldic escutcheon, of which another example, with the bearings of Dreux and Clermont, was shown by Mr. Hailstone at the April meeting of our society, in the present year. (See p. 207, ante.)

F the beautiful initial letters, introduced with such happy effect by Mr. Shaw in his various publications, he has kindly supplied specimens to accompany this notice. These illustrations of de⚫corative palæography are not the least interesting feature of his labours.

It must be observed, in conclusion, that the greater part of the plates are elaborately coloured; and, beautiful as is the effect of these illustrations in the ordinary copies of the work, their brilliancy and perfection

is necessarily far greater in the more highly finished copies, of which a few have been provided of a larger size. In the introductory text will be found an interesting summary of the History of those decorative processes which are so tastefully exemplified in this attractive volume.

Archaeological Intelligence.

AMONGST the recent accessions to Archaeological literature, produced under the auspices of the provincial societies, whose activity and usefulness has been rapidly extended during the past year, we must invite attention to the fourth volume of the SUSSEX ARCHAEOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS. It is very gratifying to observe how fully the promise held out by the Sussex Society has been realised in the increasing interest of their periodical meetings, and of their published transactions. The volume lately published (to be obtained by non-subscribers from Mr. Russell Smith) comprises, amongst various subjects of curious research, several notices of ecclesiastical architecture, especially those of Fletching Church, by the Rev. S. Wilde, the vicar, and the Rev. F. Spurrell; and of the mural paintings, with other remains found at Stedham, by the Rev. L. Vernon Harcourt. Mr. Blaauw contributes a memoir on the " Vessels of the Cinque Ports; the "Castle of Hurstmonceux and its Lords" have presented to Mr. Venables a subject of more than ordinary interest, to the illustration of which pen and pencil have contributed in a most agreeable manner. The illustrations of ancient manners and expenses, by Mr. Durrant Cooper and Mr. Blencowe, are well deserving of notice; and the volume must be regarded as a contribution to the history of the country, acceptable alike to the general reader as to archaeologists.

We must also advert, with pleasure, to the sequel of the "Proceedings and Papers," published by the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire. The record of their third session comprises, under the former head, detailed notices of every object submitted for examination at the meetings of the society, described with minute accuracy of detail, and accompanied by illustrations. The system adopted in this portion of the transactions well deserves to be adopted by other local societies. Too frequently are objects of singular interest produced for the transient gratification of periodical assemblies, to be conveyed back again to the arcana of private collections, without any sufficient record of their character being preserved. The combined produce of a single year's exhibitions, at the numberless meetings of antiquarian dilettanti, would go far towards the arrangement of an instructive series in the "British Room," and give in the National Museum those facilities for comparison, so essential to the advancement of archaeological science. Amongst the memoirs in the new fasciculus of the Lancashire society, the memoir contributed by its founder, Dr. Hume, on implements of the "Stone Period," claims mention, as also the researches regarding Roman vestiges, by Mr. Just and Mr. Robson. The ancient hall-mansions, so characteristic a feature of domestic architecture in Lancashire and Cheshire, have presented a subject of interesting research to Mr. Mayer and other contributors. We would specially invite notice of the memoir on the Roman and British remains, near the river Wyre, by the Rev. W. Thornber, the curious relics discovered in the mosses of that district, and the remarkable construction of timber, by which they were traversed, an ancient pathway known as the "Danes' Pad."

SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF SCOTLAND.-Anniversary, Nov. 28. The Report of the Council gave the important intelligence of the successful issue of negotiations long pending with the Treasury. The society has transferred to the crown as national property the important collections of antiquities, formed by them during the last seventy years. This nucleus

of a suitable National Museum for Scotland, such as archaeologists view with so much advantage at Copenhagen, Dublin, and various cities on the continent, will be deposited in the Royal Institution, where the proceedings of the society will also be transacted. For this very desirable arrangement archaeologists are indebted mainly to the persevering exertions of Sir W. Gibson Craig, whose zeal in the cause claims most honourable mention. The Society's Museum is already rich in examples of every period, of which an interesting catalogue has been prepared by the able pen of the secretary, Mr. Daniel Wilson; and having now been placed on the permanent footing of a National Collection, it may be confidently anticipated that many treasures hitherto isolated in private collections, will find therein a secure depository.

Amongst the subjects brought before the meeting were the renowned Dunvegan cup, commemorated in the "Lord of the Isles ; a more correct reading of the inscription upon this remarkable relic was suggested. Two very ancient ecclesiastical bells were produced, of hammered iron, specimens of the curious class, the Irish skellach, illustrated by Mr. Westwood in the Archæologia Cambrensis." A detailed archaeological map of Fifeshire, by Mr. Miller, excited considerable interest, and it is hoped that it may be published, forming the first of a series of antiquarian maps of Scotland.

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December 8.-Various donations were made to the Museum, including one of the ancient skellachs above noticed, presented by the Rev. J. Haldane, minister of the parish where it was found. Dr. Wilson communicated a memoir on these curious relics, of which not fewer than fifteen had been traced, as connected with the earliest Christian establishments in Scotland. They had ever been regarded in that country, as also in Ireland, with a very singular degree of veneration, attached to no other class of ecclesiastical appliances. One of the most remarkable examples, found in Argyllshire, is preserved in the Society's Museum; and it was exhibited, by the kind permission of the Council, in the Museum formed during the meeting of the Institute at York, in 1846. Dr. Wilson gave some highly curious details illustrative of reverential attachment amongst the lower classes to these primitive vestiges of the introduction of Christianity in North Britain. Professor Munch of Christiania, honorary member, discussed the erroneous application of the name Pomona, as commonly used to designate the mainland of Orkney. He pointed out the fact that no such name appears in any ancient author by whom the Islands are mentioned; and that its use has arisen from a singular misunderstanding, of a passage in Solinus.

KILKENNY ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.-At the meeting on November 5th, the ranks of the Society were augmented by the accession of thirtyone new members, a gratifying evidence of the growing interest in the proceedings of this efficient institution. The library and museum were enriched by numerous presents, especially a collection of Irish coins by the Archdeacon of Cashel. The Rev. James Graves called attention to a portion of the ancient hangings, formerly in the "Tapestry Chamber," in a tower of Kilkenny Castle, and exhibited on this occasion by the Marquis of Ormonde. It represented the death-conflict of Decius, and formed part of a set of six, presented, according to tradition, to the first Duke of Ormonde, by the States of Holland, t. Charles II. Mr. Graves produced also, by Lord Ormonde's permission, an interesting charter of Richard Strongbow, with his seal appended; no other impression is known. The Rev. Mr. Mease gave a notice of a subterraneous cist, lately

discovered, containing bones of sheep, charred wood, &c., with two wooden objects, known as "Commanair arrows. There seemed no evidence of its sepulchral use, and it was supposed to have been either a cookinghearth, or a place connected with sacrifices. Mr. Graves read a report of the excavation of a remarkable carn, undertaken by the society, in which had been found enclosed a central chamber containing human remains, and a small cist-vaen, in which portions of pottery were discovered; showing, seemingly, the more ancient deposit of the corpse, and subsequent interment in the ancient place of burial, after the usage of cremation prevailed. Mr. Byrne contributed a notice of certain pillar stones of memorial, marking the scene of a battle in the Queen's County, which led to the division of Ossory from the kingdom of Leinster. These stones seem to have marked the burial-places of chiefs who fell on that occasion. Under two of them had been found cinerary urns. It is supposed that the conflict occurred about A.D. 35. Amongst other memoirs read, was a notice by Mr. Prim, of the discovery of tombs at Black Friars', Kilkenny, ornamented with floriated crosses, one of them bearing the name of Roberd de Sardeloue, supposed to be of the Shardelow family, of Norfolk :-an account of crypts, resembling those found under raths or forts, discovered near a church in co. Cork; remarks on names of places, by Mr. Mac Gready, with other valuable communications supplying abundant materials for the continuation of the Transactions.

Miscellaneous Notices.

PROFESSOR PHILLIPS, of York, has announced the immediate publication (by subscription) of his observations on the "Rivers, Mountains, and SeaCoast of Yorkshire," in which will be comprised many interesting details gleaned during distant geological expeditions, and relating not merely to the physical features of that county, or its picturesque scenery, but likewise to the vestiges of its ancient inhabitants, to which his attention has often been attracted in localities rarely visited by the antiquary. He has, moreover, ever taken a leading part in the excavations conducted by the Yorkshire Antiquarian Club." Persons desirous to receive copies should send their names to the author, St. Mary's Lodge, York.

Mr. Rees, Llandovery, will shortly produce, under the auspices of the Welsh MSS. Society, an important work by the Rev. W. Rees, to whose editorial care archaeologists are indebted for the "Liber Landavensis.” It comprises the lives of the Cambro-British Saints, from ancient Welsh and Latin MSS., with translations. This volume is published by Subscription. To the readers of the Journal, who take interest in medieval seals, intelligence may be acceptable that a periodical publication has commenced in Paris, under the direction of the "Société de Sphragistique, entitled "Recueil de documents et de mèmoires relatifs à l'étude spéciale des Sceaux du moyen age," &c. The monthly parts, of which five have already appeared, comprise notices with wood-cut illustrations, and they may be obtained at a trifling cost, through any bookseller. Communications are addressed to M. Forgeais, quai des Orfèvres, 56, at Paris, from whom casts in metal of all seals published may be obtained.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF GREAT

BRITAIN AND IRELAND.

REPORT OF THE AUDITORS.

WE, the Auditors appointed to audit the Accounts of the “Archaeological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland," do report that the Treasurer has exhibited to us an Account of the Receipts and Expenditure of the Institute from the 1st January to the 31st December, 1850; and that we have examined the said account, with the vouchers in support thereof, and find the same to be correct; and we further report that the following is an Abstract of the Receipts and Expenditure of the Institute, during the period aforesaid.