Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 3.djvu/93

Rh and Cuthbert, or for Cynibald son of Cuthbert." Mr. Jones stated that he had sent a cast from this remarkable inscription to Professor Finn Magnussen of Copenhagen, who had proposed the following reading and interpretation of the Runes. "GIBIDON FA RO CYNIBALD CUP (or CUTH) BURMN; Oremus nancisci quietem Cynibaldum celebrem Castellanum." He supposed that the person commemorated had been the Saxon Burghman, or Governor of the town of Lancaster. The Professor also expressed his opinion that this memorial had been sculptured in the eighth or ninth century.

Several Northumbrian stycas of Ethelred and Eanred were communicated by Mr. John Richard Walbran; they were discovered near the Elshaw, or Ailcey Hill, a large tumulus not far from the cathedral of Ripon, where a considerable number were found in 1695, according to Thoresby Ducatus Leodiensis, 56. It is believed that the stycas found in 1695 were pre- served in Thoresby's Museum, respecting which and its dispersion Mr. Walbran has communicated these interesting particulars. "It is impossible to discover the majority of the articles that composed Thoresby's Museum. His wife retained possession of it until her death, which occurred fifteen years after that of Thoresby; but as the articles had been chiefly stowed away in a garret pervious to the weather, many of them were spoiled and broken, others lost, and some stolen, for she was careless of their preservation. After her death in 1742, the collections in natural history were found either damaged or destroyed. Dr. Burton, the author of the 'Monasticon Eboracense,' had such of the geological specimens as were not spoiled, together with the shells. The insects were worth nothing. The botanical specimens were all thrown out. The warlike curiosities were also thrown out. The mathematical instruments were sold for 7s. 6d. Such of the curious 'household stuff,' as remained unspoiled by damp and rust, was sold for 6s. to a brazier; for Mrs. Thoresby had suffered many of these articles to be purloined. The few statues and carvings were broken and mutilated. Of the seals. Dr. Burton acquired one; others were given to Dr. Rawlinson. The amulets could not be found. Some of the engravings were lost, others stolen, and many spoiled; Wilson got some, and Mr. Thoresby, jun., others. The valuable collection of coins, together with the manuscripts, various editions of the Bible, and the autographs, were sent to Mr. Thoresby's eldest son, Ralph, who was the incumbent of Stoke Newington. He died in 1763, and his effects were sold soon after. The coins produced above £450. I have not heard who were the purchasers, but in 1778 Mr. John White, of Newgate Street, London, had many of them. The printed books were bought by T. Payne of the Mews-gate, and retailed by a marked catalogue. Mr. White purchased a curious MS. collection of English songs; Horace Walpole, a MS. collection of Corpus Christi plays, the same, I believe, that was sold at the Strawberry-hill sale for £220. 10s., (it was lot 92, 6th day,) where there were sold several other MSS. from Thoresby's collection. Walpole also purchased at the younger Thoresby's sale the valuable case of the watch presented by the Parliament to Fairfax, after the battle of Naseby, the unique enamel work of which was executed by Bredier alone. This, it may be remembered, Mr. Bevan purchased at the Strawberry-hill sale (17th day, 1841) for 20 guineas. Many of the autographs and some MSS. came into the hands of the late Mr. Upcott; among others, Thoresby's Album, and the Diary and Letters published by Mr. Hunter; a.