Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 1.djvu/269

Rh If it be in your power to lay these particulars before the members of the Archæological Association, you will perform an act of Christian philanthropy, and may afford some pious individual an opportunity to render service in the holy cause of religion, by restoring the whole or some part of this interesting structure; or at all events you may have an opportunity of drawing such attention to the church as may tend to preserve the ancient and historical monuments recorded in the windows, on the floor, and in the carved work, and at the same time rescue this temple of Almighty God from further dilapidation, and from that culpable neglect to which it has for so many years been subjected.

Messrs. Cocks and Biddulph, bankers, 43, Charing Cross, London, will kindly receive any donation or contribution for the restoration of Little Malvern church, and any further information will gratefully be given on application to the Rev.Thomas Dean, Col wall Green, near Ledbury, Herefordshire.

THOMAS DEAN, Perpetual Curate of Little Malvern.

Albert Way, Esq., Honorary Secretary, &c.

Reference having been made to former proceedings, resolved, with consideration particularly of the minutes of the last meeting, "that in the present stage of the formation of the Association, it would not be advisable to begin to subscribe money towards the restoration of buildings." But it was the wish of the meeting that Mr. Dean's letter should be answered by the Secretary, assuring him of the interest the Association felt in the preservation of Little Malvern church, and expressing their regret that the state of their funds does not enable them to contribute to its support, but that they would call public attention to his communication in the Archæological Journal.

A spur and stirrup, apparently Norman, were exhibited by Mr. J. Perdue, jun., found at the bottom of Cottenton's hill, Kingsclere, while making a trench.

Read, a letter from Mr. Goddard Johnson to Mr. C. R. Smith, with a drawing of a "Gypeyere," or ancient English stretcher for a purse or pouch. Mr. Johnson observes:—"The article was formerly known by the name of 'Gypeyere,' and is noticed under this name in the 'Promptorium Parvulorum,' edited by Mr. Way, as well as by others. It consisted of a purse or pouch attached to the stretcher by sewing thereto, through the holes; the pouch was commonly of leather, and frequently of silk with other costly ornaments. We retain two old sayings to this day which relate to and had their origin from the above articles, and which we use without being generally aware of the derivation, namely, the term 'Cutpurse,' the article in question being formerly worn suspended from a girdle round the waist, from whence the purse or pouch was cut off by the thieves of that time, in lieu of which we now have 'pick-pockets.' Another saying—on the frequent application for money by the tax and rate gatherers, as well as others, we have the common remark of 'one had always need to have one's purse at the girdle.' There is another set of articles which require a further elucidation of their history and use than has come under my notice, I mean those known by the name of 'roundels' and 'lots,' of which an account is given in Gent. Mag., vol. lxiii. pp. 398, 1187; lxiv. 407, 8, 9; lxvii. 281, and lxix. 498. In vol. lxiii. they are called 'lots.' Notwithstanding what is said in the above references, something more is yet required to throw further light upon them."

Mr. Crofton Croker then stated to the meeting with reference to the minutes of the committee of June 12, June 25, and July 10th, that he had communicated with the Hon. Sidney Herbert, Secretary of the Admiralty, respecting the alleged