"It may have been used as a weight for a steelyard, but such inference is, of course, conjectural."

We do not think that there can be any doubt as to what the object is. It seems clear that it is an old steelyard weight, but the question as to its exact age is not perhaps so easily settled. haps so easily settled. It looks to us as if it belonged to the latter part of the fifteenth century. Perhaps some of our readers can speak more positively as to this than we care to do..

Captain Nilson and Dr. Palk Griffin, of Padstow, have been recently engaged excavating one of the Cornish barrows on Bogee Downs, immediately adjoining the boundary of St. Columb Major, but in the parish of St. Ervan. At a depth of about 14 feet human remains were removed, and the hole or pit again filled in. The tumulus is a large one, and is skirted in a semicircle by others of a smaller size, and it is to be hoped that further explorations may be undertaken on a systematic basis. There is a huge flat stone, evidently covering other remains, but these cannot be reached until a very large amount of top earth is carted away. Thirty-five or thirty-six years ago, at a distance of a mile south-west from the spot at Bogee, called Bears Downs, Mr. Nicholas Capel (since deceased) was ploughing over a barrow, and came upon an urn. It contained bones and a spear with bone handle, with a silver band. Subsequent research by Mr. W. C. Borlase was rewarded by the finding of a cup and other objects of prehistoric age.

We are glad to hear a satisfactory account of the Sussex Archæological Society, which continues its useful work accompanied with financial success. The committee have invested the sum of £120 in Consols, which represents the compositions of life members who have been elected during the past nine years. During 1897 there was an increase in the membership, the number at the end of 1896 being 553, and at the close of last year 574, consisting of 484 ordinary members, 82 life members, and 8 honorary members. Part of the find of coins at Balcombe, which excited considerable interest at the time of

their discovery, will not go out of the county, the society having purchased from the Treasury a portion of the treasure-trove. The coins consist of two nobles of Edward III.; eight groats, London and York; four halfgroats, ditto; six pennies, London, Durham, and York; ten Edward I. pennies, London, Canterbury, Bristol, Durham, Lincoln, Newcastle, and York; seven Edward II. pennies, London, Berwick, Bury, Canterbury, and Durham; one Richard II. penny, York; one ditto half-penny, London; and one David II. Scots penny.

Very great indignation has been aroused in Wales by a report that a considerable portion of the remains of Strata Florida Abbey has been carted off to build a new church with at a village called Pontrhydfendigaid. The Western Mail of March 2 states that: "Not only has a quantity of stone which had been dug out from the fallen portions of the build. ing during the excavations been taken away, but we are informed that the walls of the chapter house and other portions of the church, which in some places remained to the height of over 6 feet, have been at least partially destroyed. The entire ruins are said to present a lamentably dishevelled appearance. Considerable indignation has been excited in the neighbourhood, where the ruins of the most famous of Welsh abbeys are regarded with pride, not, perhaps, un mingled with the feeling that they are also a source of profit. The attention of Lord Lisburne, the owner of the land upon which the abbey ruins are situated, has been directed to the matter, and his lordship's agent, Mr. Gardiner, of Wenallt, is understood to have taken it in hand. The officers of the Cambrian Archæological Association have also been communicated with, but, as the association does not possess a permanent habita tion, it is difficult to bring the weight of its displeasure to bear in an immediate and effective manner." The matter has also been brought under the notice of the Society of Antiquaries; but we scarcely see what can be done to repair the mischief, as the evil was accomplished before it was known what was being done. Had it been possible to prevent it beforehand, the case would have been different.

Thanks to the suggestion and efforts of Mr. Charles J. Munich, an antiquarian society has been formed for Hampstead, the objects of which are to study, and, as far as possible, to preserve and record, antiquarian objects and matters in regard to the borough. The society was established in December, and, in launching it, Mr. Munich, having obtained for his scheme the approval of several wellknown residents, found his efforts cordially seconded by a provisional council which was then formed. It consisted of Messrs. Cecil Clarke, W. E. Doubleday (Chief Librarian, Hampstead), W. H. Fenton, and E. F. Newton (Member of Hampstead Vestry), with Mr. Munich as hon. secretary and treasurer pro tem. Sir Walter Besant, M.A., F.S.A., has consented to accept the office of president The inaugural meeting of the society is to be held at the Hampstead Vestry Hall, Haverstock Hill, N.W., on Wednesday, April 6, 1898, at 8 p.m., when Sir Walter Besant will preside. Copies of the rules, and any information concerning the society, will be gladly supplied, on receipt of written application addressed to Mr. Charles J. Munich, hon. secretary and treasurer, 8, Achilles Road, West Hampstead, N.W.

At a recent meeting of the Sussex Archæological Society, held at Eastbourne, Mr. Michell Whitley read a paper, entitled "Saxon Eastbourne," in the course of which, having made some explanatory observations as to the origin of Domesday, and to the identification of Eastbourne with the "Bourne" therein described, Mr. Whitley alluded to the fact that, in the early days spoken of, the arable land was laid out very differently. It was divided into blocks or fields called "furlongs," each about 650 feet in width, and of varying length. The "furlongs" were also subdivided into narrow strips running across them, some of the strips being only a rod wide, and representing the multiplication of holdings. Incidentally, Mr. Whitley observed that the peculiarity about these strips in Sussex was that they were absolutely straight, while in the Midland Counties they were curved like the reverse letter "S."

discussed in the Antiquary a few years agonamely, that of low-side windows. After rejecting the various theories entertained as to the low side window, Mr. Johnston came back to the old idea that their object and use was the hearing of confessions. We should not, perhaps, have alluded to the matter, were it not that Mr. Johnston supported his opinion from a record "by one of the Commissioners appointed to inquire into the religious houses by Henry the Eighth, who recommended that those places where the Friars were wont to hear the confessions of the people should be 'walled up.'" We should like to see the whole of this report printed. We may, however, point out that the low-side windows have no connection with "the religious houses," but are found in simple parish churches in all parts of England, so that we fail to follow Mr. Johnston's line of argument.

The Congress of Archæological Societies, in union with the Society of Antiquaries, is anxious to draw the attention of all municipal corporations and county councils to the extreme importance and value, not only for local, but also for general historical purposes, of all such old documents as are now in, or may come into, their possession. The value applies not only to charters and lists of freemen or burgesses, but to all manner of ancient documents, such as enclosure maps, leases, and other conveyances, the account rolls and books of treasurers, chamberlains, and other officers, leet and court rolls, and papers relating to lawsuits, etc., and also all county papers which before the Local Government Act, 1888, were in the custody of the Lords Lieutenant of the counties, and include the Quarter Sessions records, and papers directed by Act of Parliament to be kept by the Clerks of the Peace. It is impossible to foresee what important bearing such documents may not have upon general history, and this has in the last few years been very generally understood, and many corporations have not only carefully calendared all the old documents in their possession, but in some cases have printed, or are printing, the results. The congress prays all corporations to have a diligent search made for all documents that may belong to them, and to have them

calendared and placed in safety in some public office, or at least in their own fireproof safes. It also suggests that inquiries should be made for any old maces, staves, seals, and other badges of office not now in use that may be in existence, so that they may be carefully preserved. The congress. feels sure that the councils of the various county archæological societies will be glad to render any assistance required in their districts, and, in default of the existence of such a society in any particular district, the standing committee of the congress will be glad to give advice on the matter. The hon. secretary (we may state, although we have already done so on previous occasions) is Mr. Ralph Nevill, 13, Addison Crescent, Kensington.

A circular, signed by Lord Dillon, Mr. Lionel Cust, and Mr. Ralph Nevill, has been issued dealing with the proposal for a catalogue of national portraits, originated at the Archæ ological Congress. In their memorandum they observe: "Until recently very insufficient attention has been paid to the subject, and no organized effort has yet been made to obtain any accurate record of the portraits that exist. Experience has shown that the making of such a record is the surest way of promoting the safe keeping of objects of interest. Nearly every family of more than one or two generations possesses some family portraits; but neglect, the enforced dispersal of possessions after death, and other circumstances, have cast a large proportion of these portraits into anonymous oblivion. Many public bodies, such as colleges, municipal corporations, and other endowed institutions, own collections of portraits of which they are trustees for the time being, and which they will be anxious to hand down to posterity properly named and in good order. In these collections, both private and public, apart from the National Portrait Galleries of England, Scotland, and Ireland, there are numerous portraits of the greatest historical interest, and it is considered very desirable that some attempt should be made to obtain a register of them in order that their identity may not be lost." With this end in view, a schedule has been drawn up on which to enter particulars as to each portrait. These

schedules, which have been printed by H.M. Stationery Office, will be on sale at Messrs. Eyre and Spottiswoode's, or may be obtained through any of the usual agents. They will be sold detached at 3s. a quire, or in volumes of 50 at 4s. 6d. A paper of instructions and an example will accompany each volume.

We mentioned in the Notes of the Month in February the inauguration of societies. for the publication of parish registers in Shropshire and Lancashire. We learn that it is now proposed to publish the marriage registers of Norfolk, under the editorship of Mr. W. P. W. Phillimore, M.A., and Mr. F. Johnson. In a prospectus which we have received from Messrs. Phillimore and Co., they say: "The extreme value of our ancient parish registers is now universally admitted, and there is no doubt that the best way to preserve their contents is to print them. Of late years many registers have been issued from the press by private enterprise, but in nearly every case the practice has been to print the whole register-baptisms, burials, and marriages. The two former, however, are so very numerous as obviously to preclude any general and systematic publication of parish registers in their entirety. A new departure has recently been taken by the issue of a special series of Gloucestershire registers dealing with marriages only, the first volume of which has recently been issued. The experience thus gained shows. that it is feasible to print parish registers systematically with the prospect of completing a whole county within a reasonable period of time, provided we confine our attention to the weddings only, which are admittedly the most interesting and valuable entries in a register, and obviously will often indicate where also the baptisms and burials of a family may be looked for. The editors have therefore decided to print a volume of Norfolk marriage registers, and to continue the intended series, provided they obtain a minimum number of fifty subscribers at 10s. 6d. the volume."

cost.

of subscriptions be promised to defray the The parish consists of the townships of Fewston, Norwood, Timble, Great Bluberhouses, and Thruscross, and practically includes the whole of the Washburn Valley above Lindley; and the registers contain many entries relating to the families of Fairfax, Frankland, Pulleyne, Robinson, and Slingsby, as well as an almost complete genealogy of the substantial yeomen families of Bramley, Beecroft, Dickinson, Gill, Holmes, Hard castle, Hardisty, Jeffrey, Stubbs, Thackray, Ward, and others inhabiting the district within the last 300 years. The books are of great interest to topographers, genealogists, and others interested in the neighbourhood. It is proposed to issue them in two volumes, cloth, printed in clear type on good paper, at the price of 30s. for the two volumes. Intending subscribers are requested to send their names to the Rev. Thos. Parkinson, North Otterington Vicarage, Northallerton.

Ramblings of an Antiquary.

BY GEORGE BAILEY.

SOME ANCIENT WALL-PAINTINGS.

RAUNDS-continued.

HE story of St. Catharine has once formed a prominent feature on the walls of the north aisle at Raunds, but only two of the scenes from her history can now be disentangled from the mixture of other legends which have at various periods been superposed. The most interesting is here (Fig. 1) carefully copied. The picture is remarkable for its realism and excellence as a composition. It is quite evident that the argument used by the little lady with the yellow hair and ermine-trimmed robes, her left hand held argumentatively by her right, has effectually puzzled the whole conclave. The pose of their heads and the position of the hands and the eyes, or what remains of them, plainly show it. The gentleman to the right of the lady, with his one eye, and his right forefinger against his left thumb, and the astonished look of the presiding pope or bishop, leave the spectator