Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 1.djvu/88

70 with his lady holding a model of the church between them; over their heads are canopies and heraldic decorations. I found this interesting memorial in a most disgraceful state of neglect; the canopies much mutilated, many fragments with escocheons of arms, and the whole of the inscription, in the parish chest, liable to constant spoliation: added to this, a large stone was placed upon the figures. Surely a monument like this, a record of a benefaction and an event (for so we may call the erection of the church), deserves to be rescued from a lot but too common to such remains. The history of Brian Rocliff is found in the very interesting volume published by the Camden Society, The Plumpton Correspondence."

The second communication of Mr. Waller was a notice respecting some effigies of wood, at Little Horkesley, in Essex, which when Mr. Waller visited the church about six years ago were placed near the porch. They represent two knights and a lady, apparently of the early part of the fourteenth century. Mr. Waller states that he was informed they had been recently displaced from their proper position in the church, and were then, with unbecoming neglect, put out of sight in a corner near the porch.

The third communication described not the destruction of a monument only, but that of a church and its monuments. Mr. Waller states, "About five years ago I visited the ruins of Quarendon Chapel, in the immediate neighbourhood of Aylesbury, county of Bucks: I found the walls in good condition as far as regards stability, and only suffering from neglect and wanton injury. The interior presented all the pillars and arches supporting them in good condition, save the injury caused by the visitors cutting their names thereon, and everything shewing how little share time had had in the work of demolition. To shew that the destruction is comparatively recent, even at my visit most of the oaken rafters of the chancel remained, and I believe within memory portions of the roof of the nave were in existence. In the chancel, among a heap of rubbish, lay the fragments of the alabaster effigies of Sir Henry Lee, of Ditchley, and his lady; of this tomb fragments are dispersed in the neighbourhood, indeed the cottages adjoining prove the manner of the demolition."

Mr. Way reported that the monumental brass of Sir John Felbrigg, the founder of Playford church, Suffolk, had been torn up, and, at the time when he visited the church, not many years since, was in the church chest. By a subsequent communication from Mr. D. Davy, of Ufford, it appears that this interesting memorial has been affixed to a stone in the chancel, but many portions are now defective.

Dr. J. Jacob, of Uxbridge, announced that he proposes to publish a new series of the Monumental Brasses of England.

Mr. William Sidney Gibson, of Newcastle, communicated to the Committee, that the corporation of that city propose to demolish an interesting example of ecclesiastical architecture, the ancient church of the Hospital of the Blessed Virgin, on the wreck of which a grammar school was founded by Queen Elizabeth. Mr. Gibson promises a detailed description of this curious structure, the preservation of which for the purposes of public worship in a populous city, where increased church accommodation must be highly desirable, could not fail, at a period when much attention has been given in Newcastle to architectural decoration, to benefit and gratify the public. It also appears that this venerable monument interferes with no local convenience, and that persons who take an interest in its preservation would gladly contribute.