Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 1.djvu/175

Rh amber beads, of a conical form, with two holes at the base, a small pin of mixed metal, and among the bones some human hair, short, brittle, and of a bronze colour, four beautiful amber beads, and a small fluted lance-head of mixed metal. A small urn was placed beside the large one, on the same floor, surrounded by flint stones, but containing nothing besides bones. It holds two gallons, measures 12 inches by 11$1⁄2$, and is rudely ornamented with plain indentures round the neck, and imitation handles. Second Deposit:—The centre of the barrow shewed another mode of interment. The ashes had been deposited in a wooden box, which was reduced to a powder. Among the ashes we found a spear-head, and four arrow-heads of iron, together with a small round vase. Third Deposit:—Four feet below the natural earth of this barrow we discovered the third and original interment, consisting of a skeleton of an immense size, the skull very large, and the teeth all perfect. The skeleton was placed with the head to the north, and the feet to the south. A handsome but rudely ornamented red vase, of the capacity of three pints, was laid between the knees and feet, and in it were two arrow-heads of flint, the one black, the other white. A metal spear-head, inclining to roundness at the point, was under the right arm, and also a slate gorget, or badge, with three holes at each end." Mr. Hutchins adds that he is in possession of an excellent oil-painting of the whole of the contents of the barrow, made by Mr. Guest of Sarum.

A second communication was received from Mr. William Sidney Gibson relating to the ancient church of the Hospital of the Blessed Virgin at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Mr. Gibson observes, "When I wrote the communication touching the old chapel at West Gate, in this town, I had no expectation that the interference of the Association would now arrest the hand of the destroyer, and I fear my neglect to explain this has occasioned to you and your learned colleagues a trouble that will be fruitless. The result of my subsequent enquiries into the matter is, I regret to say, that I see no prospect whatever of success attending any effort that may now be made as far as this building is concerned. Its doom has been sealed by the corporation for some considerable time, and the work of demolition is going on, though slowly. In its progress a fine chancel-arch, sedilia, &c. have been stripped of the unsightly modern barbarisms which concealed them, as well as the east and west windows. The corporation collectively authorize the spoliation. The municipal body purchased the edifice and site for the purposes of what are called town improvements, in which they were busily engaged. The vendors—the representatives of the feoffees of the ancient charity—ought to be ashamed of themselves for having sold for such purposes a building once consecrated and set apart from worldly things. Mr. Leadbitter, who lives—a wealthy bachelor—in a neighbouring picturesque old house, (the last relic here of the stately buildings of its date that once adorned the town,) offered to purchase of the corporation the site and building, wishing to restore the chapel, and, as so little remains of it that the chapel could not be usefully appropriated to public worship, he desired to have annexed it as a chapel to his own mansion. His offer was rejected."

Mr. Stapleton read a letter upon the same subject from Mr. George B. Richardson, who suites that "No sooner had I read your letter than I perceived the imperfectness and paucity of my remarks respecting the chapel, which fault I now proceed to rectify, for we cannot expect that the mere plea of antiquity, powerful as it is to us, will avail with a money-making age like this, unless indeed some such interposition be made as this Society can exert. It is quite certain that its destruction is unnecessary, for no good or sufficient reason whatever has been