Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 1.djvu/274

256 of the case seems to be supported by the fact that, although so many valuable articles were found in the grave, there were no traces of the long-sword and the knife generally found with the bodies of male adults in the Saxon barrows.

"The three graves lay very nearly north and south, the heads towards the south, as was the case with many of those opened in the last century by Douglas, and described in his Nenia, the variations being only such as might be expected from the rude means possessed by the early Saxon invaders for ascertaining the exact points of the compass. It may be added that among the earth with which the smaller grave was filled two small fragments of broken Roman pottery were found, which had probably been thrown in with the rubbish. It may be observed, that the different articles found in this, as in other early Saxon barrows, are of good workmanship, and by no means evince a low state of civilization."

3. A letter from Mr. George K. Blyth of North Walsham, Norfolk, giving notice of the discovery of some paintings on wood panels, on the screen of the church, and inquiring the best mode of cleaning them from a coating of paint; Mr. Smith suggested the application of a solution of potash and quick lime, in the proportions of one pound of the former and half a pound of the latter to a gallon of boiling water; the solution being extremely caustic, must be used with care, and if the external coating of paint which it may be desirable to remove be thin, diluted with water, and in all cases it is recommended first to try the solution on a small portion of the painted surface.

4. A letter from the Rev. William Dyke, of Bradley, Great Malvern, informing the Committee of the threatened destruction of an ancient encampment near Coleford, in the Forest of Dean. "The camp," Mr. Dyke states, "is that which a line drawn on the ordnance map from Coleford to St. Briavel's (near Stow) would intersect. It is elliptical, and is described as presenting marks of a hurried construction." It appears from Mr. Dyke's letter, that Mr. C. Fryer, of Coleford, is endeavouring to rescue the camp from destruction. The rocks on which it stands are being quarried for lime-burning, but there seems no reason whatever why the burner might not quarry in another direction.

5. A letter from Mr. Alfred Pryer, of Hollingbourne, Kent, respecting some ridges, presumed to be earth-works or fortifications, extending along the brow of the hills from Thornham Castle to Hollingbourne Hill. Mr. Pryer solicited instruction on the subject, in order to ascertain whether these ridges were in reality fortifications, or whether they may have been formed by the continual ploughing of the land down hill, which seems to him the less probable supposition. The Committee recommended Mr. Pryer to place himself in communication with the members of the Association residing at Maidstone, in order to make a further and more complete examination of the site.

Mr. C. R. Smith drew the attention of the Committee to some constructions recently erected in the entrances to the interior of the Roman building usually termed "The Pharos," on the east side of Dover Castle. This interesting structure, probably unique in this country, is well known to antiquaries, and had long been an object of admiration and research, for its antiquity and architectural peculiarities. It forms moreover the subject of a paper, promised to be read by Mr. M. H. Bloxam, at the approaching general meeting of the Association, which it cannot be doubted will induce many of the members attending the meeting, to avail themselves of the opportunity thus afforded to pay a personal visit to the building. They will however be debarred in common with the public from gaining access to the interior, for the entrances are all blocked up