Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 2.djvu/101

Rh The proposal to remove the church to the village has, as it is said, been sanctioned by the bishop of Ripon; but, at all events, it is to be hoped that the ancient place of burial will be preserved from desecration. Mr. John Waller, in a letter to Mr. Smith, stated, that the church of Fairlight, near Hastings, an old fabric, of humble character, had been likewise condemned, contrary to the feelings and wishes of the descendants of many generations, whose remains rest around this church, which, moreover, would require only a small outlay in order to put the building into good repair, and it is of sufficient size for the wants of the parish. A new incumbent, however, as it appears, desirous of erecting a structure of more decorated character, is endeavouring to collect subscriptions for that purpose, but it is to be hoped that he may be induced to abandon his intention. Mr. Waller's report is confirmed by Mr. W. Brooke, of Hastings, who announces that this little church is immediately to be pulled down, and that the singular little church in the middle of Hollington Wood, between Hastings and Battle Abbey, is likewise to be levelled to the ground, unless rescued by timely remonstrance. Mr. W. Gomonde, of Cheltenham, expressed his apprehension that the beautiful Norman chapel of St. Mary Magdalene, Gloucester, which belongs to some almshouses, might be demolished, to make way for a district church. The Chairman of the Trustees, indeed, declares that no such intention at present exists, but states, that if the ground were required in order to erect a larger church, the chapel would probably be sacrificed.

Mr. Gomonde communicated also a sketch of an intaglio, recently found in ploughing at Witcomb, in the vicinity of the Roman villa discovered by Lysons. It is a cornelian, set in a gold ring, and the device is composed of three heads, combined, which are supposed to represent Rome, Neptune, and Mercury. A second ring was found, set with a plain ruby.

The Rev. E. Gibbs Walford, rector of Chipping Warden, communicated a notice of an ancient burial-place, situated on a hill on the southern side of that parish, where skeletons have frequently been disinterred. It is remote from the church; but to the north-west is the British station called Arbury Banks; and in the valley beneath are the remains of Warden Castle. Mr. Walford has collected statements, supplied by various persons, who have witnessed the discovery of large pits filled with bones, a quantity of spurs, as also of skeletons interred singly, the bodies having been laid north and south, and in another case, east and west; these skeletons were laid consecutively in a line, head to foot. He suggests the possibility that these may be the remains of the Welshmen slain at the battle of Danesmore, in the adjoining parish of Edgcott, A.D. 1469, or of other persons who perished on that occasion.

Mr. Walford also laid before the Committee a coloured representation of a portion of Roman tesselated pavement, measuring about 13 feet square, which was discovered by some labourers, in the operation of trenching, at Lenthy Green, about a mile from Sherborne, Dorset. This occurred about