Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 11.djvu/462

 398 PROCEEDINGS AT ^rEETIXGS OF history, we fiml it telling precisely the same tiling ; the foiulal lords, among wliom the Abbot of St. Edmund's held an eminent place, were the leviathan possessors of property' and power, whilst the connnonalty of the realm, the middle classes, were nothing at all. The buildings indicate something more. They show not only the wealth and power of those who raised them, but that they were for protection against hostile violence. Those who dwelt within those massive walls were not at ease ; they were not on terms of love and peace with their neighbours of the town. The ])0wer represented by those strong gateways and high walls did not conciliate the aticction of those over wliom they domineered. It did not desire either their progress or their improvement. The object of that power was its own selfish aggrandisement, the maintenance of odious and exclusive privileges, the constant oppression of the middle and commercial classes. Lord Talbot expressed thanks to the noble President of the kindred Institute, not less for his address on this occasion than for the great cordiality of the welcome which had marked the present occasion. The visitors then proceeded, under the guidance of Lord Arthur, the committee of the Suffolk Institute and their able secretary, Mr. Tymms, to examine the abbey gate and the remains of the conventual buildings and Abbot's palace, the picturesque Abbot's Bridge, an unique example of buildings of that class ; the striking ruins of the Abbey Church, the Norman Tower, recently preserved from impending decay under the skilful direction of the late Mr. Cottingham. They visited the two remarkable churches, St. James' and St. Mary's,' and the curious relique of domestic architecture in the twelfth century, known as " Moyses' Hall."^ The party then pro- ceeded to the Town Hall, where most hospitable entertainment had been l)rovided on the kind invitation of Lord Arthur and the members of the Suffolk Institute. The sequel of the programme, arranged with such obliging consideration to enhance the gratification of the visitors, included an excursion to West Stow Hall, occasionally the residence of Mary Tudor and of her second Iiusband the Duke of Suffolk, a brick building of curious character. They jtroceeded to Ilengrave Hall, where every facility had been kindly afforded by Sir Thomas Gage on this occasion, and thence to the elmrches of Ivisby and Little Saxham, on the return to lUuy. Thus closed this gratifying day, long to be remembered not less for the fratiMiial cordiality and courteous attentions shown to the Institute by a kindred society, than for the varied interest and importance of the archaeological objects brought within the too brief limits of the time which could be devoted to them. Satuuday, July 8th. The sections resumed their meetings at the schools. In the Section of Aiili(juitieH, ft memoir was read by the Rev. C. H. Hautsiioune, on the bHe(|uica of Katharine of Arragon at I'( torborough (printed in this volume, p. 351, ante.) ■' .Mr. TvmmH, wlm lian iIoik; ho niiicli * .Sii; u nolico of tliis curious building, for thij illuhtriitiiin of llio liibtory of neid r<|iriHiMituii"nH of noino of it8 (!«■- iJiirv, linft U-'y eotu|ili!tc(l an •xcclltiit tiiilH, in Mr. rnri;i i'h " DoniuHtic Arclii- iiKMnmiHph of lilt! Cliiircli of .^t. Miiry, tci-iuro in Kn^jliiiici, Twcilili Century," nircndy r. 30.'} ill iliiM voluiuu. lo Hiiry St. Ednnin<l'»."