Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 2.djvu/438

410 (chasse) of the twelfth century at Maubeuge; a processional cross of the thirteenth century, now in a collection at Cambrai; and a "Dance of Death," on a chimney-piece at Chereng; whereon M. Quenson of St. Omer observed that there, in the cathedral, is a cross of the same style as that just described; and Dr. Bromet, after an inquiry as to what remarkable sepulchral monuments were in the neighbourhood, begged to point out the effigies of a knight and his lady, (unknown he believed to the commission,) which he considered remarkable for their heraldry, the female effigy bearing on her mantle the charges only, without the ordinaries, of her husband's arms. The President then spoke of certain Roman antiquities at Bavai in the possession of M. Crapez, whom he complimented on the benefit conferred on archæology by his catalogue of them: collections without explanatory catalogues being as it were in a second state of inhumation. M. Baralle submitted a design for enlarging the cathedral at Cambrai; and M. de Givenchy of St. Omer exhibited an interesting ground-plan of St. Bertin's abbey, proving that three several edifices had been erected on the same spot, and shewing by a different colouring of their plans how each succeeding substruction had been adapted to its predecessor.

M. Didron, as Secretary of the "Comité des Arts et Monuments," then proposed that the meeting should express its deep regret at the approaching demolition of the interesting palace in which they were assembled, and especially of its handsome staircase; whereon M. de Contencin, as Prefet of the Department, stated that this and every other portion of it worthy of archæological attention would be carefully reconstructed; M. Bianchi adding, that before blaming the town-council, gentlemen should learn what measures they had taken on the subject. Dr. Leglay said that a regret was not a blame; and M. Didron replied that the Society could not be expected to know what had passed in the town-council, citing several promises of reconstruction which had never been performed; and having just then heard that the Hospital-Comtesse was also to be sacrificed, he could not but say that such gloating Vandalism deserved something more than the expression of regret. Nothing however was done in this matter.

Dr. Leglay then read the analysis of a work by M. Cauvin, President of the "Institut des Provinces," on the ancient geography of the diocese of Le Mans; on which M. de Caumont took occasion to inform the meeting, that the objects of this new body were to give a uniform direction to the intellectual labours of departmental scientific associations, and to encourage works on art and antiquities, as well in the provinces as in Paris.

The Baron de Roisin then reported that, in the opinion of the committee for re-inspecting Tournai cathedral, the quatrefoils of the choir had been injudiciously pierced; that the paintings (which are of the twelfth century) should be preserved; that the portail, and the jube, and the transept altars, should remain; and that stucco should be placed on those parts only which undoubtedly had been originally covered with it. M. Dumortier then said that, although he had not been put on the committee above-named, he had accidentally been present at their re-inspection, and proved that he agreed