Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 1.djvu/180

162 Mr. Albert Way exhibited a forged brass seal of Macarius Bishop of Antioch, which the owner had purchased upon the assertion of its having been found in the Thames by the ballast-heavers. The seal is circular, about one and a half inch in diameter; the upper part is in form of a tortoise, on the back of which is a semicircular handle: the inscription runs round a figure of St. Peter. It was remarked that many similar forgeries, executed in the immediate neighbourhood of Covent Garden, were now dispersed not only throughout England but also in the various towns in France most frequented by English travellers. Many of these seals are merely lead electrotyped, the weight of which alone would lead to their detection. They have moreover in most cases a light mouldy-green rust, the surface is uneven and covered with very minute globules, and the edge has a coarse look and appears filed.

Mr. Wright laid before the Committee a letter he had received from the Minister of Public Instruction of France, acknowledging the reception of a copy of the Archæological Journal for the Comité des Arts et Monuments, and sending copies of the following works for the library of the Association. Instructions du Comité Historique des Arts et Monuments. 1. Collection de Documens Inédits sur l'histoire de France-Architecture. 2. Architecture Militaire. 3. Musique. 4. Iconographie Chrétienne. Histoire de Dieu, par M. Didron.

The Committee requested Mr. Wright to return the thanks of the Association to the Minister of Public Instruction for this valuable donation.

Mr. Wright laid on the table a vase of stone apparently of the time of James I., dug up within the precincts of the priory of Leominster in Herefordshire, and a fragment of a head sculptured in stone (Norman-work) dug up at the depth of 12 feet in a field in the neighbourhood of Leominster. These articles are the property of John Evans, Esq., F.S.A., of 17, Upper Stamford-street.

Mr. C. R. Smith read a letter from Mr. E. B. Price, of 29, Cow-cross-street, West Smithfield, giving an account of the discovery of vast quantities of human remains during excavations for sewerage at the west end of Newcastle-street, Farringdon-street, within a short distance eastward of an old brick wall which Mr. Price thinks formed part of the barrier of the river Fleet. These remains were found at the depth of about five feet. Another similar deposit was discovered at the depth of six or seven feet about twenty or thirty feet farther up the street, near Seacoal-lane. Mr. Price observes, "it is very evident that this district has been somewhat extensively used as a place of interment, but at what period it is now difficult to conjecture; it may have been a portion of the parish burial-ground, some centuries back, or it may have been annexed to some religious house in the neighbourhood. This latter supposition may derive a little support (if such it may be termed) from the discovery of several abbey counters during the excavation. You are probably aware of the existence of a very ancient wall at the foot of that precipitous descent named Breakneck Stairs. It was a relic in Stowe's day. He alludes to it as an old wall of stone inclosing a piece of ground up Seacoal Lane, wherein (by report) sometime stood an Inne of Chancery, which house being greatly decayed and standing remote from other houses of that profession, the company removed to a common Hostery called of the signe of our Lady Inne not far from Clements Inne: (since called New Inn.) But whether a monastic edifice or Chancery Inn, there exists no objection to the supposition that there was a place of interment attached to it." Mr. Price further states that when the excavation had descended to the depth of 14 feet, numerous fragments of Roman