Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 2.djvu/349

Rh in the arrangement of the museum at the deanery, was proposed by, Esq., and seconded by , Esq.

The President then moved a vote of thanks to Albert Way, Esq., for his services of Honorary Secretary.

The closed the proceedings, by moving a vote of thanks to Owen B. Carter, Esq., architect, for the great services he had rendered the Institute by making drawings for the use of the Meeting.

Towards the close of the proceedings, the Hon. and Rev. G. Noel communicated to the meeting an interesting discovery which had just been made in the Abbey Church at Romsey, and of which Mr. Ferrey, the architect, (under whom the restoration of that edifice is taking place,) gives the following explanation:—

"It was found necessary to move a large Purbeck stone slab to the extent of two or three feet, in order to prevent its concealment by the intended flooring of some seats. From the circumstance of this slab being 11 ft. 6 in. long, by 3 ft. 9 in., and once ornamented by a large floriated cross of brass, of which the impress now remains, I was not without expectation that it might cover a stone coffin. Great care was therefore exercised in raising the stone. Upon its being moved, there was discovered, immediately under it, a stone coffin, 5 ft. 10 in. long, by 2 ft. wide in the broadest part, and one foot deep, containing the skeleton of a priest in good preservation, the figure measuring only 5 ft. 4 in. in length, the head elevated and resting in a hollow cavity worked out of the stone, so as to form a cushion. He had been buried in the vestments peculiar to his office, viz. the alb and timic. Over his left arm was the maniple, and in his hand the chalice, covered with the paten. Considering these remains to be at least five hundred years old, it is remarkable that they should be in such preservation.

The chalice and the paten are of pewter, the latter much corroded; a great portion of the linen alb remains; the maniple is of brown velvet, fringed at the extremity, and lined with silk; portions of the stockings remain, and also all the parts of the boots, though, from the decay of the sewing, they have fallen to pieces.

On the sides of the coffin could be traced the marks of the corpse when it was first deposited, from which it would appear that the deceased had been stout, as well as short in stature.

It is to be regretted that the inscription being stripped from the verge of the slab, we have no means of knowing whose remains these are. The Purbeck marble slab had never been disturbed, being found strongly secured by mortar to the top of the stone coffin. It is curious that the covering should be so gigantic, and the coffin under it so small. Judging from the size of the slab and the beauty of the large floriated cross, it might have been supposed to cover some dignified ecclesiastic. This is clearly not the