SOCIETY OF BIBLICAL ARCHEOLOGY.-April 1. teenth century, and one bronze key of the fifteenth -Samuel Birch, Esq., LL.D., F.S.A., in the chair. century. The chairman made some valuable reTwo new members were elected. The proposal of marks on all these objects, and called especial Mr. Joseph Bonomi that the four defunct societies attention to one of Mr. Baily's keys, which was -the Anglo-Biblical Institute, the Chronological large and massive, the length being four inches, and Institute, the Palestine Archæological Association, was also constructed in two parts. The web was and the Syro-Egyptian Society-with all their books iron, and it had a stout manubrium, or handle, of and effects, should be incorporated with this society, yellow bronze. Roman keys were rare of so large and the few surviving members made life members a size, and the present specimen was unique as rethereof, was carried unanimously. The following garded London finds. Mr. Cuming also exhibited, papers were then read :-" On the Religious Belief from his own collection, the bronze stem of a small of the Assyrians," part iii., by Henry Fox Talbot, Esq., D.C.L.; "On the Identification of Nimrod from the Assyrian Inscriptions," by the Rev. A. H. Sayce, M.A.; "On a Triple Synchronism in Egypto-Assyrian History," by the Rev. Basil Henry Cooper, B.Á.

key, with a portion of the iron web; and the web and stem of a massive clavis laconica, of bronze, found at Nîmes. Mr. T. Morgan exhibited a Spanish pair of scissors, of probably early seventeenth century make. Mr. Gordon M. Hills exhibited a box containing a great number of curiously ROYAL ARCHEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE.—April 4.— carved squares of wood, perhaps an alphabet for Octavius Morgan, Esq., M.P., V.P., in the chair. the blind. He also read some remarks on a silverThe Rev. J. Lee-Warner exhibited and described gilt peg-tankard of the fifteenth century. Mr. H. at length a very valuable Saxon Charter of Cuth- S. Cuming read some historical evidence, which he wulf, Bishop of Hereford, in the time of Berhtwult, had collected, relative to the casting of iron in the King of the Mercians. It related to a grant of ancient and mediæval periods, and exhibited an land in Somersetshire, and dated about A.D. 839. ancient Chinese cast-iron chain, formed of eleven The chairman, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Clark, Mr. quadrilateral links, which once formed part of the Greaves, and others, took part in an interesting dis- collection of the late Princess Christina of Waldeck cussion which ensued. Mr. G. M. Atkinson ex- and Pyrmont. Mr. J. W. Grover and Mr. G. M. hibited, and read some notes upon, several photo- Hills made some remarks on this subject. Mr. T. graphs of objects found in a Mithric Chamber under Tucker, Rouge Croix, stated that having visited the Church of San Clementi, Rome. Mr. J. E. Night- Inigo Jones's York Gate since the last meeting, he ingale exhibited an ivory tablet, with representa- had observed that the arms were those of the tions of the Virgin and Child; which was originally Villiers' family, Dukes of Buckingham, and not of one leaf of a fourteenth century diptych. He also the Bedford family. He entirely concurred with exhibited a pack of political cards, illustrating the Mr. G. R. Wright in recommending a memorial to conspiracy of Titus Oates, slightly different from those shown by Mr. Hankey at the last meeting. The Rev. J. Fuller Russell exhibited a book of emblems, entitled "The Protestant's Vade Mecum," having many illustrations of Oates's plot, and being of the same period as the cards. Mr. C. Golding sent some coloured drawings, copies of wall-paintings in various churches of Suffolk. Mr. J. G. Waller made some remarks upon them. Mr. John Edward Lee exhibited a cast of a handle of a sickle, of the bronze period, found in the Lake of Brienne, Switzerland. The original is carved out of wood of the yew tree. Mr. C. D. E. Fortnum exhibited a gold signet ring of the seventeenth century. BRITISH ARCHEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION.-April 9.-H. Syer Cuming, Esq., V.P., in the chair. Mr. E. Roberts, one of the honorary secretaries, announced that the council had agreed to petition the House of Commons in favour of Sir John Lubbock's Bill for the Preservation of National Monuments. Mr. W. Baily exhibited the following Roman articles :-The barrel of a padlock, of yellow bronze. A shackle of a padlock, of iron. Three iron keys of padlocks. Three iron latch keys. A key of yellow bronze. Also two iron keys of the four

the Metropolitan Board of Works, in order to rescue it from its present ruinous state. Mr. E. Roberts exhibited a curious iron spike, pronounced to be a Roman caltrap; a brown Elizabethan pitcher; a Dutch bottle of the seventeenth century; three flat, round, earthenware dishes of the seventeenth century; five earthenware gallipots of the same period; and another gallipot containing a preparation of laudanum. All these were from the recent city excavations. The chairman then read a most interesting and valuable paper, by himself, "On the Origin and Use of Hour-Glasses." He illustrated the paper with many drawings and actual specimens. Among the latter were:-A half-hourglass of the seventeenth century, in an open wood frame, lent by the Rev. S. M. Mayhew; an hourglass of the eighteenth century; and an iron fleur de lis, formerly an ornament of an iron hour-glass stand upon a pulpit, date about 1500. The two latter objects were from Mr. Cuming's own collection.

NUMISMATIC SOCIETY.-April 17.-W. S. W. Vaux, Esq., F.R.S., F.S.A., President, in the chair. Major Hay exhibited several small copper coins of Theodora ; one of them having a small cross in the

field of the reverse, a variety hitherto unknown. before it, and that he felt sure it would prove Mr. Henry W. Henfrey exhibited a Chinese coin worthy of the support that it had received, and of of the Taoukwang period (1820-1850) from an un- the high object it had in view. He threw out a published mint, that in Chih-le. Mr. Richard suggestion as to the Manuscript Commission and Hoblyn exhibited a silver pattern farthing of the Historical Society co-operating together; the Charles II., dated 1676, of the " Quatuor Maria one pointing out where valuable materials for hisVindico" type, but much larger than those usually tory were to be found, the other how those matemet with. Mr. T. J. Arnold read an interesting rials might be best turned to account. Among the and elaborate paper, by himself, "On a Type of other toasts were "Our Living Poets," proposed by some Coins of Aigiale and other Cities." Another the Rev. W. H. Wylie ; "Our Living Artists," repaper was contributed by Mr. R. W. Cochran sponded to by Mr. George Cruikshank; and "Our Patrick, in continuation of his series of "Notes on Living Historians," to which Mr. T. L. Kingston the Annals of the Scottish Coinage." Oliphant, of Gask, replied.

AT the last ordinary evening meeting of the London and Middlesex Archæological Society, held on the 10th ult. at University College, Gower-street, John Orde Hall, Esq., Treasurer, in the chair. Mr. George Browning exhibited a series of Greek and Roman antiquities acquired during a recent tour in Italy, and a visit to the excavations on the site of the buried city of Pompeii. Mr. Browning gave a lucid account of his travels and described most of the objects exhibited; among them were fragments from the Temple of Fortune at Præneste or Palestrina, some specimens of tesselated pavement from the "House of the Dancing Girl," the Villa of the Rich Man, Diomedes, and the Temple of Jupiter in the Forum of Pompeii; a sickle of the bronze age from the ruins of the Pompeian Amphitheatre; some good examples of Roman lamps; a photograph of the magnificent mosaic, the finest in the world, representing Alexander at the Battle of Issus, 333 B.C., now preserved in the Museum of Naples; some Etruscan vases, curious specimens of black coral from the Island of Capri, and other interesting objects.

CORK CUVERIAN AND ARCHEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. -The last meeting for the Session 1872-73 was held in the Library of the Royal Cork Institute, Professor Harkness, F.R.S., in the chair. Dr. Caulfield exhibited a M.S. common-place book, the property of John Fitzgerald, a mathematician of some repute in Cork during the last quarter of the eighteenth century. Mr. Fitzgerald was also an astronomer, part compiler of an almanack, editor of the "Cork Remembrancer" (1783) and a contributor to Flyn's Hibernian Chronicle, a newspaper which flourished in Cork from 1768 to 1801.

Stems.

SIR ANTHONY PANIZZI-A "Biographical Sketch of Sir Anthony Panizzi," late Principal Librarian of the British Museum, by Mr. Robert Cowtan, author of "Memories of the British Museum," &c., is in the press, and will be published in a few days. The work will contain the latest and most characteristic portrait of Sir Anthony Panizzi.

THE TRANSACTIONS OF THE HISTORIC SOCIETY OF LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE have reached us.

ROYAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY.-The annual dinner of this society took place at St. James's Hall, on the 26th of March, the Grampian Club uniting with it. The Marquis of Lorne presided, and a large number of ladies and gentlemen were present, among whom were the Earl of Mar, Sir They comprise the Sessions 1871-2. The papers, W. Fairfax, the Rev. Dr. Rogers, Mr. Anderson, eleven in number, embrace a great variety of hisC.E., and Mr. George Cruikshank, &c., &c. The toric subjects, most of them possessing a special Marquis of Lorne proposed, "Prosperity to the local interest, and edited by Mr. Charles Dyall, Grampian Club," which was responded to by Dr. the assistant secretary, under the direction of the Rogers, who gave an account of the efforts made council. Three of the papers are illustrated by enby that society as regards its extensive researches gravings; and one paper, "The Fee of Makerfield," into matters of historical interest relating to Scot- is rendered more interesting by engravings lent by The volume, land. Mr. Roe, LL.D., F.S.A., proposed, "Pro- Mr. W. Langton, of Manchester. sperity to the Historical Society," and gave an consisting of about 190 pages, contains matter of account of its rapid rise and present very pro- great interest. sperous state, alike as regards the number of its ALLHALLOWS, LOMBARD-STREET.-According to members, the income it now enjoys, and the efforts the City Press, in the vestry of Allhallows, Lomthat it is making. With that toast he should couple bard-street, are very fine copies of the Holy Scripthe name of Mr. G. Harris, who was the originator tures as they were wont to be read, when men of the Manuscript Commission. Mr. G. Harris, stood up to read to others not so well endowed. F.S.A., in replying thereto for the Historical The veritable black letter, the handsome page, even Society, said that he believed a great future was the chains by which they were fastened to the

pillars of the lately "removed" church of St. Benet's, Gracechurch-street, are open to inspection, and can, by the courtesy of the rector and churchwardens, be seen at any reasonable time. The Bible, containing the Old and New Testament, is in one volume, and bears the date of 1616. A New Testament, containing the commentaries of Erasmus, is in two volumes. The first, dated 1548, contains the Gospel and the Acts; the second, date 1552, the Epistles and the Book of Revela

tion.

PERSIAN MSS.-Dr. Ethé, who is entrusted with the cataloguing of the Persian Manuscripts in the Bodleian Library, has discovered several lyrics of the great Persian poet, Firdusi, the author of the "Shahname." He has published the Persian text, with a metrical translation, in the Transactions of the Royal Academy of Munich.

of lace, on account of the enormous sums spent upon it. English dealers bought up the lace in Brussels, smuggled it across, and sold it in this country under the name of "English point.”—Globe.

THE GOVERNMENT AND THE SITE OF TROY.-— The Society of Antiquaries after hearing Sir John Lubbock's paper on Troy, read before them on the 6th of March, adopted a resolution suggesting an examination of some of the Troad barrows at the cost of the Government. The resolution was forwarded by Earl Spencer, the president of the society, to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who has replied that he considers it a matter for private enterprise. The barrows which Sir J. Lubbock recommends to be opened are the tumuli of Achilles, Patroclus, Ajax, Priam, and Hector; Ujck Tepe, Hanai Tepe, and Beschik Tepe.

THE CHAUCER SOCIETY.-The Duke of Man

chester has promised 20 to the Chaucer Society if nine other persons will contribute a like sum, or

25 if fourteen others will join. Several subscriptions have been promised already: £20 each from Mr. F. W. Cosens and Mr. Cornelius, and £5 from Mr. R. S. Turner.

RING OF JOHN BUNYAN.-The City Press states that the late Dean Bowers has bequeathed to his nephew, Henry Addington, the gold ring known as originally belonging to John Bunyan.

THE BODLEIAN.-It is proposed that the books of the Bodleian Library shall, under certain conditions, be lent out to members of the University of Oxford.

HOLBEIN. A discovery has just been made in the picture gallery of Baron de Stackelberg, at the Château of Tacha (Bohemia), on a painting by Holbein, of an inscription which fixes in a positive manner the birth of that great painter in 1497.

THE HISTORY OF LACE.-This beautiful fabric has a history of its own, and there are facts connected with its production which account for its extreme costliness. Old pictures teach us how extensive the use of lace was in the seventeenth century, when even the tops of boots was trimmed with it; and it is easy to see how its style accorded with the stiff and heavy materials then used for clothing. Queen Elizabeth's ruffs, and the large collars of Charles I., were of the kind of lace called "outwork," in which the pattern was made by button-holing cloth upon net, and cutting away what was not required. The patterns were then geometrical, the lines formerly drawn in squares or circles. This lace was imported from Italy, where its manufacture has long been carried on. Towards the end of the seventeenth century, the lines became more flowing, and the patterns more graceful and elegant. The constant pricking of the patterns soon wore them out, and they were subsequently copied on "sam" cloth for permanent use; hence SINGULAR GOOD FRIDAY CUSTOM.-Just outside our samplers." The best Italian "pillow" lace the church of St. Bartholomew-the-Great, Smithfield, was made in Genoa; the finest "point" in Venice. in the oldest churchyard in the city, might have been The "rose" point signifies "raised" point, from seen the aged rector, the Rev. John Abbiss, putting its high relief. This lace has been called by an down twenty-one sixpences on a gravestone, which Italian poet "Scolpito in relievo "-carved in re- the same number of poor widows picked up. The lief. The designs are very rich and varied, and it custom is nearly as old as the church, and originated is often called Spanish point; but the best was in the will of a lady, who left a sum of money to made in Venice, and used for the collars of the pay for the sermon and to yield the sixpences to be nobles. It was worn in England by the beaux of distributed over her grave; but, as the will is lost the time of James I. to trim the ends of the long and her tomb gone, the traditionary spot of her cravats, which succeeded the pointed collars, so interment is chosen for the distribution, a strange familiar in the pictures of the cavaliers. Pillow part of the tradition being that any one too stiff in lace was early invented in the Netherlands, and the joints to pick up the money was not to receive has always been a staple manufacture of the coun- it. On Good Friday, at the Church of Allhallows, try. The thread originally used was made of the Lombard-street, another sermon was preached flax of Brabant, and was so fine that it is said the under similar provisions of the will of Peter Syspinning had to be performed underground, as monds, dated 1587, and gifts distributed, consistcontact with the outer air made it break. In 1622, ing of a new penny and a packet of raisins, which the English Parliament prohibited the importation were given to sixty of the younger scholars of

Christ's Hospital, who attended the service. Under pletion, in one of his letters to Mr. Edward Blount, the same will the children of Langbourn Ward in which he shows how, by closing a door through Schools who help in the choir, and the children of which it commanded a view of the Thames, "the the Sunday School, received each a bun and various luminous room becomes a camera obscura," paints sums of new money, ranging from a penny to a in glowing colours the spring of clear water which shilling, besides the poor of the parish, on whom' trickles through it, and laments the one defect-the was bestowed a shilling each and a loaf. The sum absence of a classic statue as the genius loci. given away was close on 10, and which, until Pope's Villa and Grotto, after his death in 1744, the railway in Liverpool - street effaced the spot, were bought by Sir William Stanhope, from whom used to be distributed over the tomb of the donor. they passed by marriage to his son-in-law, Welbore -City Press. Ellis, afterwards Lord Mendip, who took a great DR. ROGERS has completed his investigations in pride in the place, cherishing with religious care regard to the "Estimates of the Scottish Nobility," even the willows planted by Pope's hand. After prepared for the use of Lord Burleigh in 1577, and Lord Mendip's death the place was sold to Sir John which has hitherto been unprinted. Dr. Rogers, Brisco; and on his death it again changed hands, has discovered five copies of this curious composi- becoming the property of Lady Howe, as mentioned tion, two of which, bearing date 1585, are included above. In this grotto the poet was visited by his among the Harleian MSS. in the British Museum, friends, the Blounts, Spence, Arbuthnot, Swift, and one, dated 1606, in the Lansdowne collection. Bolingbroke, and Voltaire. It is mentioned, too, Of the two others, one is deposited in the Public by Lady Mary Wortley Montagu in one of her Record Office, and the other in the Lyon Office, letters to her sister, the Countess of Mar :—“ I see Edinburgh. Dr. Rogers has satisfactorily ascer- sometimes Mr. Pope, who continues tained that the author of the "Estimate' was to embellish his house at Twickenham. Alexander Hay, Clerk Register, and subsequently He has made a subterranean grotto, which he has a Lord of Sessions, under the judicial title of Lord furnished with looking-glasses," &c. The contents Easter-Kennet. This gentleman accompanied the and "furniture" of his grotto the poet left, together Earl of Murray and Maitland of Lethington to with the "urns" in his garden, to Martha Blount ; York as one of Queen Mary's accusers, and after- and some of the curious spars and minerals which wards acted as a Secretary of State when James VI. it once contained have been since carried off by was absent in Denmark bringing home his queen. relic-hunters. In spite of this, however, the garden, His death was hastened by exertions in connection lawn, and adjoining grove are comparatively but with the baptism of Prince Henry in the Chapel Royal little changed from what they were when tenanted. of Stirling. Hay's "Estimate" will be printed for by Alexander Pope.-Times. the members of the Royal Historical Society and the Grampian Club.

*

THE ROYAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY.-The secretary of the Royal Historical Society is now engaged editing the poetical works of James I., and James V., of Scotland, and besides being provided for the members of the above-named society, a few copies of the book will be printed for general circulation. Dr. Rogers is carefully re-editing the "King's Quair," as well as the ballads of "Christ's Kirk," and "Peblis to the Play," which by some editors have been ascribed to James I., but by most others to the father of the hapless Queen Mary.

POPE'S VILLA.-Among the various properties which are just now being brought into the market, we observe, is included the house known as "Pope's Villa," on the banks of the Thames at Twickenham. The present house is modern, being a substantial edifice of Elizabethan design, the villa actually inhabited by Pope having been pulled down by Lady Howe and Sir Wathen Waller nearly seventy years ago, and part of Pope's ground having been built over. The estate, it will be remembered, was bought by Pope in 1715, when he sold his residence at Binfield, and he erected his "grotto" shortly afterwards. In the "Beauties of England and Wales" it is stated that "the chief part of his garden lay on the opposite side of the high road from Twickenham to Teddington; accordingly, as a means of communi- CHRIST'S HOSPITAL.—In accordance with a timecation, he worked a subterranean passage beneath honoured custom on Tuesday in Easter week, the the road, and rendered this quiet and obscured boys of Christ's Hospital, to the number of nearly path ornamental by adorning its sides with curious seven hundred, went in procession from their spars and gems and forming it into a grotto." This school in Newgate-street to the Mansion House, grotto is praised (beyond its deserts) by Bishop in charge of their nurses and beadles, to be preWarburton, who saw in it as great an effort of genius sented to the Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress, as "in any of his best-contrived poems ;" and the and to receive the customary Easter gifts. Each lad poet describes it at full length, soon after its com-wore on his breast a linen badge inscribed with the

THE SALE OF THE LIBRARY of Sir Richard Tufton in Paris realised £5,000. It included a beautiful quarto MS. (Hora) of the fifteenth century, profusely illustrated, in vellum, which fetched £1,200.

sermon.

Such

words "He is Risen." On reaching the Mansion be limited for five days to a single dish; after House they marched four abreast into the Egyptian that they are only to have bread and wine. Hall, where they formed in single file. The Lord was the arrangement settled by Gregory X. to preMayor then took his seat in the saloon, being ac- vent the scandals which preceded his election. companied by the Sheriffs, Aldermen, and other ARCHEOLOGICAL LECTURESHIP IN EDINBURgh. civic dignitaries. The lads, on passing the Lord-Among the many ways in which the late Mr. Mayor, received each a gratuity in coins fresh from A. H. Rhind sought to foster and encourage the the Mint. To the fifteen Grecians a guinea each study of archæology, perhaps the most directly was given; fourteen probationers, half-a-guinea; practical was the bequest of the reversionary thirty-eight monitors, half-a-crown; and 607 scho- interest of the estate of Sibster, in Caithness, lars, one shilling. The money so distributed to the Council of the Society, of Antiquaries of amounted to about £60. Each lad on leaving received Scotland, for the foundation of a lectureship of a glass of wine and two buns. After the ceremony archæology. By the terms of the bequest the the Lord Mayor and the civic authorities went in lecturer is to be appointed by the Council of state to Christ Church, Newgate-street, to hear the the Society, either for life or for a term of years, second "spital sermon," and the service was also at- to deliver annually a course of not less than six tended by the whole of the Bluecoat Boys. On the lectures on some branch of archæology, ethnoprevious day the Lord Mayor in full state, accord- logy, ethnography, or allied topic, and the ing to ancient usage, attended the first spital Council is to determine whether those lectures shall be free to the public, or whether admission THE JUDGES AT ST. PAUL'S.-On the first Sun- shall be by a moderate fee. As Mr. Rhind's reladay in Easter Term, some of Her Majesty's Judges, tive, Mr. David Bremner, formerly of Aberdeen, according to ancient practice, went in state to was life-rented in the estate, and as it was conthe afternoon services in St. Paul's Cathedral. sidered by many noblemen and gentlemen interAll of them wore their state robes, and rested in the promotion of archæology, that it were attended by their train-bearers. The Lord would be a public benefit to anticipate the operaMayor also proceeded from the Mansion-house in tion of the bequest, a memorial by the Society state to meet their Lordships at the Cathedral, and of Antiquaries, and otherwise numerously and he was attended by his chaplain (the Rev. William influentially signed, was presented to the TreaRogers), the City Marshal, and the Sword and sury some years ago suggesting the appointment Mace Bearers, and accompanied by the Sheriffs, of John Stuart, LL.D., secretary of the society, some of the Aldermen, and by a consider who by his experience and special acquaintance able number of the members of the Court with Scottish archæology is peculiarly qualified of Common Council, each being in his distinctive for the duties, which, it was suggested, should robes of office, and carrying a bouquet. On the also include a general superintendence of all arrival of the Judges, they and the civic dignitaries monuments of the early races of Scotland. The were escorted to their stalls in the choir. The Treasury did not adopt the suggestion of the Dean and many of the principal authorities of the memorialists, but, in consequence of the death Cathedral were likewise present, and there was a of Mr. Bremner (which occured recently at Wick), large surpliced choir. The congregation occupied the bequest will come into operation as originally not only the whole of the space in the dome area, intended, and in a short time the Rhind Lecturebut stretched far beyond in the direction of the ship on Archæology will be added to the number western door. As a spectacle it was exceedingly of permanent institutions for the advancement picturesque. of science in Edinburgh. It is to be regretted that the superintendence of the monuments suggested in the memorial is still, however, unprovided for.-Scotsman.

THE ELECTION OF POPES.-It was only in A.D. 1275, says the Hour, that Gregory X., at the second Council of Lyons, obliged the Cardinals to sign and seal a statute which was to regulate irrevocably the proceedings of a conclave on the death of a Pope. This statute enacts that on the tenth day after the death of the Pope, the Cardinals are to be shut up without waiting for absent members of the College in a single chamber of the deceased Pope's palace, where they are to live in common. All access to them is strictly prohibited, as well as any writing or message. Each is only to have one domestic, and their meals are to be received through a window too narrow to admit a man. If they do not agree in three days their repast is to

ARCHEOLOGICAL DISCOVERY.-For some time past a number of men have been engaged removing earth from the limestone which exist at the Butts, Dalton, about two miles from Furness Abbey, with the view of quarrying it. While thus engaged recently on the edge of one of the embankments of a small stream, which runs through this part of Furness, they came upon a large block of stone, weighing nearly a ton, and on removing this they disclosed a large vault or grave, about six feet long, four wide, and rather more in depth. On descending into this vault a