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member of the Institute, a gentleman well known by his researches on the subject of the polychromy of ancient architecture, attended to exhibit some drawings illustrative of his views, and presented an Essay which was read by the Secretary. The particular subject to which M. Hittorff solicited attention was the temple of Empedocles at Selinus, which was restored from a careful examination of the remains of the original, and was brought forward as a complete exam. ple of the extent to which colour was used by the ancient architects. The walls, pavement, and roof, both externally and internally, were embellished with colour. The interior was open to the roof without the intervention of a flat ceiling; the timbers being coloured both for ornament and preservation. The statue of Empedocles at the upper end of the structure, the author supposed to have been composed of gold and ivory. M. Hittorff attributed the origin of the polychromic system to the wooden construction which was the prototype of Greek architecture, the practice being continued after that material had ceased to be used. The example now illustrated M. Hittorff considered to be a monument wherein the traces of the system were the most

numerous.

On the conclusion of the

Essay many observations were made by other members, and Mr. Britton promised to read an Essay on the remains of painting on English Structures. M. Hittorff also exhibited many tiles used in wooden buildings in Paris, the material of which was lava,

June 12. P. J. Robinson, esq. V.P. in the Chair.

Various donations were announced. The most important were a series of designs for the use of every artizan concerned in building; many were beautifully coloured: they were prepared by M. Beuth, Counsellor of State, by the direction of the Prussian Government, for the express purpose of encouraging the useful arts. Mr. Lush presented some tiles, found near Lewes Priory. Mr. E. Carter furnished a description of an improved valve for gas. Mr. Mylne exhibited various drawings to display the construction of the roof of King's College, Cambridge, from measurements by himself; an essay,

* The completest example of an English structure was St. Stephen's Chapel, which, when perfect, glowed with resplendent colours the pavement was rich with tiles, the walls with historical paintings, the windows filled with stained glass, and the mouldings and panels of the ceiling set off with gilding, and tints of the richest hues.

illustrative of the subject, was read by Mr. Fowler, one of the Secretaries. The author stated the remarkable key-stone to be composed of two pieces, with a large key in the centre; he considered them to be good in construction, but not so remarkable as to excite wonder.

Mr. Legh, Honorary Fellow, forwarded an Essay on the pillars Jachin and Boaz, with the view of explaining a difficulty in the description, by which it would appear that the pillars had a double capital. Mr. Legh shewed a drawing on which, with the aid of a Persepolitan example, he suggested a design by which the difficulty was surmounted. Mr. Godwin exhibited a sketch of a pillar from Persepolis, on which a similar arrangement was apparent. Several members made observations on the subject; and the general opinion seemed to be that the pillars in question were not insulated, but formed part of a portico. Mr. Britton then read an account of the restorations which had been made at the church of Stratford-uponAvon. By the drawings exhibited it ap. peared that the chancel, in an injudicions repair in 1790, had been deprived of its original ceiling, of oak and a plain plaster ceiling was substituted, besides which the windows and other portions had sustained injury. A new arched oak roof, resting on the original corbels in form of angels, is the principal feature of the restoration. The chancel was erected in 1491, and the new ceiling is a good specimen of the timber work of that period. The other restorations consist in renewing the battlements, making a new floor, and removing some wooden pews which encumbered the chancel. It is in contemplation, when the funds permit, to remove the belfry floor, which now intercepts the view of the chancel from the nave, and to add various embellishments in heraldry and stained glass. The architect, under whose care the present restorations have been effected, is Mr. Egginton of Worcester.

LADY CHAPEL, ST. MARY OVERIES.

In consequence of an intimation from his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, of his desire to visit so much of the Pri. ory Church of St. Saviour as had been restored, and having appointed the 6th of June for that purpose, the Committee had the honour of receiving his Grace, accompanied by the Bishops of Winchester and Killaloe, the Earl of Lonsdale, Lords Skelmersdale and Encombe, the Rev. Dr. Dealtry, Chancellor of Winchester, the Rev. Drs. Dakins and Kenney, the Rev. Messrs. Mann, Curling, Benson, Wix, Bailey, Sharpe, and Davis, the Right Honourable T. L. Lefroy, M.P.

Mr. Serjeant Jackson, M.P. Messrs. Charles Barclay, esq. M.P., John Richards, esq. M.P., the Knight of Kerry, Frederick Perkins, esq. and many other gentlemen, with a numerous assemblage of the inhabitants of the parish. At two o'clock the company began to assemble, and the presence of numerous ladies added to the pleasure of the interesting spectacle. The Committee received the noble visitors at the western door, and conducted them through the ruined nave to the transept, choir, the altar-screen, and, eventually, to the Lady Chapel-the Archbishop and Bishop of Winchester consented to have their armorial bearings placed in the windows of the Lady Chapel, and Mr. C. E. Gwilt, we are happy to see, is entrusted with the execution a pleasing fact, since the productions of this gentleman already set up in the Chapel, display a close acquaintance with the early forms and detail of painted glass. T. Saunders, esq. addressing his Grace, expressed on the part of the Committee the high gratification experienced upon the occasion of his Grace's visit, which fully compensated for all the difficulties encountered. Upon retiring, his Grace expressed the highest satisfaction and delight at the gratifying sight he had witnessed, and departed amid the respectful and grateful acknowledgments of the visitors.

The appearance of the choir, illumined by a brilliant sunshine, the varied dresses of the company, the assemblage of charity children, whose voices (aided by the magnificent organ) joining in an appropriate Psalm, had a most brilliant and solemn effect. How strongly did it contrast with the nave, ruined and desolate, once the place of the assemblage of numerous worshippers, now exposed to the elements, and threatening to fall into a heap of rubbish. It appears to be in contemplation to erect a new church; but surely the preservation of the old one ought not to be forgotten, but should be regarded as a paramount duty to which every other consideration should bend. E. I. C.

ROXBURGHE CLUB.

The Roxburghe Club held their anniversary meeting on the 17th of June at the Thatched House. There were present Lord Viscount Clive, the President, the Duke of Sutherland, Earl Cawdor, the Bishop of Lichfield, Mr. Justice Littledale, Mr. Baron Bolland, the Hon. and Rev. G. Neville Grenville, Sir S. R. Glynne, Bart. M.P. William Bentham, esq. (Treasurer) B. Botfield, esq. the Rev. E. C. Hawtrey, D. D., J. A. Lloyd, esq., J. H. Markland, esq., J. D. Phelps, esq. and Thomas Ponton, esq. A work,

which is to be published by and at the expense of the Club, was fixed upon, and a Committee for the ensuing year, consisting of Ten Members of the Club, was elected.

A most interesting volume, intituled, "Sidneiana, being a Collection of Fragments relative to Sir Philip Sidney, Kut. and his immediate connections, now first collected, and partly first printed," was presented to the members by the Lord Bishop of Lichfield; and Mr. Clive, (though not a member of the Club) gene. rously presented to its members "a reprint of a very scarce, probably an unique Copy of a Pageant connected with the history of Ludlow," for the use of which Mr. Clive states that he was indebted to the President.

MARYLEBONE LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTION.

May 31. The fifth anniversary meeting of this rapidly-increasing Institution was held in the large theatre of the building, H. T. Hope, esq. M.P. for Gloucester, in the chair.

After a brief allusion to the objects of the meeting, and the expression of an ar dent hope for its extension and prosperity, R. Lowe, esq., moved the first resolution:-" That the establishment of the Marylebone Literary and Scientific Institution has been productive of great advantage to the locality, by enabling its members to cultivate a taste or gratify an inclination for those literary and scientific pursuits which tend to refine and exalt the human mind." The motion was elo. quently seconded by Sir J. Johnson. The second was moved by Sir William Clinton, K. C. B. ::-"That, in order to increase the advantages and extend the usefulness of the Marylebone Literary and Scientific Institution, it is desirable to make a considerable addition to the library, and that, since the requisite outlay cannot be conveniently spared from the current funds of the Society, a subscription for that purpose be now entered into." The motion was seconded, in a few words, by Mr. Hallam, the author of "The Middle Ages," and was carried by acclamation. A liberal commencement of a subscription was immediately made.

PLOUGHING BY STEAM.

June 6. A very successful and interesting exhibition of ploughing by steam, in. vented by Mr. Parkes, took place at Red Moss, near Horwich, Lancashire. The engine is not locomotive, but remains stationary while the plough is at work. The plough is set in motion by means of two long flexible belts of iron, revolving round two wheels attached to the engine, and round another wheel in a frame firmly

fixed on the moss, at such a distance from the engine as may be proposed to make the furrow. The ends of these belts are fixed to the two ends of the plough, and pull it to and fro, for it does not turn in working, but cuts a furrow both when it recedes from, and returns to the engine. This operation was most satisfactory, the plough turning a furrow eighteen inches broad, nine inches thick, and more than 300 yards long in less than four minutes, and that with a precision which no common plough could equal.

NEWSPAPER STAMPS.

In the half-year ended 5th April, 1836, the number of newspapers stamped in Great Britain, was 14,874,652, and the net amount of duty received was 196,9097. In the half-year ended 5th April, 1837,

the number of newspapers stamped in Great Britain was 21,362,148, and the net amount of duty received was 88,5027. showing an increase in the number in the last half-year, as compared with the corresponding half-year, before the reduction in the duty of 6,487,496, and a loss to the revenue of 108,3177. Since the reduction of the duty, one daily newspaper, one published twice a week, twenty-three weekly newspapers, one published once a fortnight, one occasional, have been established in London; of which eight are now discontinued, and two are incorporated with other papers. Within the same period thirty-five weekly newspapers and one three times a-week have been established in the country, of which six are now discontinued or incorporated with other papers.

ANTIQUARIAN RESEARCHES.

SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES.

May 25. Henry Francis Lockwood, esq. of Hull, architect, author of a work on the Fortifications of York, was elected a Fellow of the Society. Among the presents was a medal of the distinguished numismatist Eckhel, sent by Count Diedrichstein.

James Yates, esq., exhibited some Egyptian rings, formed of various stones, but resembling in form several of the metal rings which have formed the foundation of Sir W. Betham's recent dissertations on ring-money, and which were engraved in our magazine for April last. These rings were bought by Mr. Yates at the recent sale of Athanasi's collection: they are formed, two of jasper, three of agonite, &c. Mr. Yates is of opinion that they were originally designed for personal ornaments, and for various purposes in dress, particularly to confine the hair; and being a ready article of currency, became used in Egypt, as in other countries, for the purposes of money. The writer added some remarks (in addition to a former communication) on the invention of making paper from linen rags— a manufacture traced in Egypt so carly as A.D. 1200.-The remainder was then read of Dr. C. Leeman's essay on the Roman inscriptions recently found near Cirencester. He entered into a full in. vestigation of various other inscriptions in which the same personal names have been found, as well as the gentilitial names of the Rauraci and Frisii. Seven of the latter nation have occurred in inscriptions found in England.

June 1. Mr. Amyot, treas. in the chair.
J. H. Markland, esq. F.S.A. commu-

nicated, together with some introductory remarks, a copy of "Instructions by Henry ninth Earl of Northumberland to his son and heir Algernon, touching the management of his estates, offices, &c." from the original in the possession of the Earl of Egremont. It presents a very curious picture of the difficulties and intrigues which were prevalent in that complicated and cumbrous machine, the household of a great nobleman, and also unfolds very interesting confessions of the profusion and extravagance of the Earl's younger days, which he relates by way of admonishment to his son. debts and losses had amounted to £60,000 or £70,000, before he had become convinced of the necessity of drawing in the reins. The document is supposed to have been written after the year 1619.

His

June 8. Hudson Gurney, esq. V. P. The Rev. Thomas Shuttleworth Grimshawe, B. D. Rector of Burton Latimer, co. Northampton, and Vicar of Biddenham, co. Bedford, was elected a fellow of the Society; and Dr. Conrad Leemans, first conservator of the Museum of Antiquities at Leyden, and editor of the Hieroglyphica of Horapolis, 8vo. 1835, was elected an honorary member.

Sir Henry Ellis, Sec. exhibited a fac. simile copy of a plan of the town of Therouenne and of its siege by king Henry VIII., from the original in the Cottonian collection. The town, as is well known, is memorable for its total destruction after its subsequent capture by the Emperor Charles V. (see an ar ticle in our review, April, p. 397.)

The reading was concluded of the Earl of Northumberland's domestic instruc.

tions to his son; containing some extraordinary opinions regarding the female sex, of which he seems to have conceived very unfavourable impressions, from the behaviour both of his mother and of his wife.

June 15. Mr. Gurney in the chair.

Frederick Bolingbroke Ribbans, esq. of Stamford-street; Thomas Field Savory, esq. of Sussex-place, Regent's-park, and William Tobias Longden, esq. late of Trinity College, Cambridge, now of the Middle Temple and of East Moulsey, were elected Fellows of the Society.

Sir John Trevelyan, Bart. exhibited a bronze cup, apparently Roman, recently found near Harewood, in Yorkshire; it is ornamented with tasteful patterns, in which are remains of enamelled colours. Also a singular twisted snake, not unlike a bracelet, but which, being composed of bell metal, and emitting a clear sound, was conjectured by some of the members to have been used as a musical instrument, after the manner of the triangle. This was found, with others, in Sussex.

Mr. John J. Cole presented a set of drawings, on a large scale, of the interior decorations of the late Star Chamber at at Westminster.

J. R. Planché, esq., F.S.A. communicated an account of a portrait in the possession of the Duchess. Countess of Sutherland, which has been considered to be that of Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy; but which he has ascertained, by comparison with others, to represent the celebrated Anthoine Bastard of Burgundy. It is the same from which a print in Montfauçon was derived, and was the work of Jan Van Eyck. Mr. Planché rendered his communication the more valuable, by appending a full narrative of all the known (but hitherto scattered) particulars of the Bastard's long and chivalrous career.- With this meeting the session of the Society closed, and it adjourned to November 16.

ROYAL SOCIETY OF LITERATURE.

May 11. Colonel Leake, V. P. in the chair.

Mr. Hamilton, the foreign secretary, read an extract from a memoir by M. Bechk, published in the transactions of the Royal Academy of Berlin, entitled an "Explanation of the Athenian Monument relating to the influence of the Sanctuary of Apollo at Delos."

Delos, whose ancient name was also Ortygia, sigifying a swarm of quails, was always in strict relation with the Athenians, and paid tribute to them, as most of the other islands did, but the temple

was never in their possession. It was purified by Pausanias the First, also by Polycrates, King of Samos, and again by the Athenians in the second year of the 89th Olympiad, when not only were the dead bodies removed, but the Delians themselves were expelled the island. Not long after their return was enjoined, when that celebrated oration, which bears the name of the Deliaca Lex, was made by Hyperidas before the Amphictyons; it may, however, have been previously delivered by Eschines, at Athens. An inscription, discovered by Mr. Boeckh, has thrown much light upon the history of Delos.

May 25. Rev. Dr. Spry, V. P. in the chair. The secretary read a paper, by Colonel Leake," on the journeys and discoveries of Mr. George Finlay, who has been engaged in exploring Africa, with a view to a further elucidation of the topography of the Demi and twelve Cecropian cities; the paper was accompanied by copies of all the inedited inscriptions, twenty in number, which Mr. Finlay has met with in his routes.

The first six inscriptions were found at Pikhérnes, supposed by Colonel Leake to be Epacrin, one of the twelve Cecropian cities of Attica. Pikhérnes is a monastic farm, on the south-eastern side of the Brelession, or Pentelic summits, where, on a hill, are the foundations of a castle or fortress, and, within a short distance, extensive relics of an aqueduct, and other foundations of a modern date; also several ancient terraces; and in one spot, some of those large rude unhewn blocks, which seem to have been the earliest Greek temples. At Pikhernes, a river, the largest in Attica except the Cephisus, takes its rise. Following the course of this stream to the eastern coast, Mr. Finlay ascertained the exact site of Kala Araphenides, and likewise discovered the foundations of the celebrated temple of Diana Brauronia. On this spot were found some of those flints, shaped like arrow heads, which Mr. Finlay has remarked in many places, in Attica, as marking the sites of ancient temples. Specimens of these flints were placed on the table by Colonel Leake. The first inscription which suggested any remark to Colonel Leake, was a boundary stone of some land, which had been bought by an pavos, or association: these pavar were formed for a great variety of purposes, some of which show the high state of Athenian civilization.

Three following inscriptions were found at the monastery of Kalo Livadhi. On one of the finest of them the monks were

Another containing pounding bricks. two names of Thracian origin, found on a part of Mount Phelleus, shows that Thracian slaves were the principal labourers in the Demi of that mountain. By means of another is determined the situation of Gargettas.

Another exhibits, in the word IIETI. AHE, an instance of the not unfrequent variation of Demi, this Demotic being elsewhere written Iparians: this inscription also supports an opinion advanced on a previous occasion by Colonel Leake, that the Iphistiade and the Hephæstidæ, having different etymologies, were, notwithstanding the similarity of name, separate Demi. In many other particulars, these inscriptions throw light upon the Demography of Attica.

ANGLO-FRENCH COINS

M. Tuffet, contrôleur des contributions directes, at Rochefort, making alterations in an old house at St. Maixent, which belonged to him, one of the workmen while digging exposed to sight by a stroke of his pick-axe, an earthen vase of antique form, partly broken, containing four linen bags, which fell into dust when exposed to the air. They contained a great quantity of silver coins, oxidated and adhering one to another. They all belong to the Anglo-French period, and some of them date from the twelfth century. Some bear the impression of Edward III. of England, others those of different kings of Scotland, with the usual cross. None of them are defaced: many exhibit very rude workmanship. They have been submitted to analysis, and their composition was found to be

4.

gold

1000

336

silver

1000

660

[blocks in formation]

ANCIENT COFFIN AT CANTERBURY.

On the 19th of May, the workmen employed in digging the foundations of the new wing of the Kent and Canterbury Hospital, on the site of the ancient monastery of St. Augustine, struck a pickaxe into a leaden coffin, about 6 feet 2 inches in length, and little more than 18 in breadth at the widest part-the head projecting in a straight line from the trunk, as in the human body. It does not appear to have been enclosed in

were seen.

wood. A stone, [or perhaps a wooden chalice?] which on being touched crum. bled to dust, lay on the breast. Through a small aperture near the mouth, the teeth The coffin is of very rude manufacture; the soldering has not been cleared away when the corpse was inclosed, and neither ornament nor mark are perceptible. It was found nine feet below the surface of the earth, and lying amidst a profusion of human bones of every description.

INDIAN ANTIQUITIES.

A very extensive and valuable collection was received at the Museum of the East India House on Saturday, June 17th, and have since been prepared for inspection by Professor Wilson, containing nearly 7,000 specimens of antiquities, principally sculptures and coins, collected by Mr. Masson, and presented by the Bombay government, being Bactrian, Hindoo-Scythian, and Hindoo. These specimens were fouud in the topes, or remarkable stone tumuli found largely in the countries along the foot of the Hindoo Kosh, or Indian Caucasus, up even to Balkh and Bokhara, which were erected to the memory of their priests and sainted personages, and compose their votive offerings and relics. Many of the coins are gold, all in the highest state of preservation, with the appearance of having been but recently turned out of the mint, whilst others are of silver, copper, bronze, &c. The impressions on the former are very legible, and denote two Barbaric princes new to history, prior to the fall of the Bactrian dynasty, which took place about 150 years before Christ; as also the names of several Greek princes, the æra to which they belong being well defined by the costume. The coins and other relics, consisting of beads, silver ornaments, &c. were severally in gold, and these, again, in silver boxes, which were deposited in vases of earthen manufacture, many of which are in fine preservation. In some were found pieces of bark, on which are some inscriptions still partly legible, but which have fallen into pieces or dust. The inscriptions on the coins contain reference to many Greek and other legends, whilst many of them will be found to assist in illustrating the chronology of the different dynasties of this part of our empire. The present collection is more extensive than that made by the French officers in the service of Runjeet Singh, now exhibiting at Paris, and was made by Mr. Masson, originally a private in the artillery of the East India Company.

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