Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 11.djvu/463

Rh Mr. C. C. Babington hien gave a short discourse on the ancient state of North Camhridgcshire. It appeared that in the time of the Romans, the district suhsequently converted into fen had heen thickly inhabited, and consisted of extensive tracts of corn land. The numerous vestiges of Roman occupation brought to light in the fen country were described by Mr. Babington, and they present conclusive evidence of this remarkable fact, lie produced a map showing that by the silting up of the Wash the waters of the rivers which flowed into the sea at that outlet were thrown back, converting a fertile district into swamp. Mr. Babington also brought before the meeting a detailed plan of Cambridge in Roman times, the Camboritum of the Itinerary.*

In the Historical Section the chair was taken by the President, Dr., Master of Caius College. A Memoir on the Accession of Ilarold II. was read by Mr. Fkeemax, and an interesting discussion on that obscure period of national history ensued, in which Dean Milman and other members took part, and expressed their gratification and thanks to Mr. Freeman for the information which he had brought to bear upon his subject.

The remainder of this day was occupied in a very agreable excursion, through the kind permission of the Lord Braybrooke and the invitation of the Hon. Richard Neville, to visit Audley End, as also the neighbouring town of Saifron Waldon. Nearly two hundred visitors enjoyed the kind courtesies shown on this occasion by Mr. Neville, who, accompanied by his brother, the Master of Magdalene College, in the absence of the venerable nobleman, the possessor of that magnificent dwelling founded by the Lord Chancellor Audley, welcomed the numerous party. The special object of archaeological interest was the Museum of British, Roman, and Anglo- Saxon Antiquities, the results of Mr. Neville's personal researches and excavations at Chesterford, Little Wilbrahara, Bartlow, Linton Heath, and other ancient sites in Cambridgeshire and Essex. With many of the discoveries by which these indefatigable investigations have been rewarded our readers are familiar, through the kindness of Mr. Neville in connnuni- cating them from time to time to this Journal. It was with high gratifica- tion that his visitors on this day witnessed the singular success which has attended his operations, as strikingly evinced by the varied treasures submitted to their inspection. It were much to be desired that this spirited antiquary should be disposed to produce a description or catalogue of the Audley End Museum, the creation of his zeal and intelligence in the cause of national archaeology.*

After inspecting the architectural features of the mansion, the portraits and works of art preserved in it. the beautiful gardens formed on the site of the conventual buildings of Waldcn Abbey, whilst some of the visitors proceeded as far as the ancient earthwork on the "Ring Hill," opposite Audley End, the company were conducted by Mr. Neville to Saffron Walden, in order to inspect the church, the picturesque timbered dwellings, the

^ See Mr. Baliington's " Ancient Cambridgeshire," published by the Cambridge Aiitiqu:iiiau Soiiety, in their octavo s^eries^, IS'o. ill., and comprising much curious infoiniation on the early condition of that part of Britain.

Mr. Neville, it may be hoped, gave an earnest of such an intention, when he kindly presented to the visitors at the uiuseum of the Institute in Cainbridtje, a monograph desiTiptii)n of his Dacti/lothcca, there exhibited, ami comprising a beautiful collection of rmgs of all periods. Mr. Neville had rouipiled this catilogue, and caused it to be printed specially for the occasion.