Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 29.djvu/455

Rh is at present wholly under ground, being built against and within the exterior wall, its floor being about the level of the footing of the wall. The vault measures 55 feet 3 inches North and South, by 19 feet 6 inches East and West, and is about 25 feet high. Sir H. Englefield says it has much the air of a chapel. Others call it a guard-room to the water-gate. A chapel would scarcely have stood North and South, and a guard-room, especially so large a one, however necessary for a main gate, would be quite out of place beside a mere postern. The vault was entered a short time since through a long closed-up opening in the West wall, but the writer has been unable to learn what was then observed.

To the South of the water-gate is, or was, a similar vault, indicated by the openings in the wall, one 3 feet and one 1 foot from the ground, both long since built up. Probably these two were the substructures of two buildings which formed a part of the exterior wall, and were used for stores or cellars.

It is difficult to speak too highly of the largo scale-plan of Southampton executed under Sir H. James, upon which the lines of the old wall, and position of other objects of antiquity, are shown in a manner which leaves nothing to be desired.

Under the aide guidance of Mr. J. H. Parker, C.B., the large party traversed the site of the greater portion of these ancient defences of the town, and various favourable spots were selected en route for dissertations upon the principal points. Arriving at Porter's Lane, near the South gate, Mr. Parker pointed out the remains of the Norman building which went by the name of Canute's Palace. It had been a very fine building, but, with other interesting structures had almost disappeared, owing to the increased prosperity of the town. Proceeding on to the Maison Dieu Hospital, another theme was afforded for some severe comments upon "restorations." This had been known by Mr. Parker as one of the very rare instances of a Norman house of the twelfth century, perfect in all its details, the oldest house in England of its kind, but it was now entirely destroyed. "Why was it not simply repaired?" would be asked. As time did not permit for making the entire circuit of the walls, of which but too small evidences remain at some points, a short road was taken to St. Michael's church. This was a small Norman structure, originally, to which additions had been made at subsequent periods. In it is a remarkable font of the twelfth century, and a brass lectern of the fifteenth century. Here the perambulation was brought to a close for the day; but a small party proceeded to inspect the remains of Roman Clausentum at Bitterne, on the invitation of Mr. Stuart Macnaughten by whom they were most hospitably entertained.

In the evening a soirée was given in the Hartley Institution by the Mayor and Mayoress, This was on a very brilliant scale, and the invitations, which embraced the officers of the American ships then in the Southampton water, and their ladies, were very generously issued, the number of those present being not less than six hundred. Part of the entertainment consisted of a concert in the Hall of the Institution. The museum of the Institute was thrown open to the visitors during the early part of the evening, and the pleasant hospitality of the chief magistrate of Southampton to his guests, and his exertions to entertain them, were without limit. In one of the intervals in the musical performances, the President of the Meeting appeared in front of the orchestra, and in an amusing speech