Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 4.djvu/182

 164 ARCHAEOLOGICAL INTKLLIGKNCE. which few specimens in a perfect state were preserved. It was worth the attention of chemists, why green and red seals were better preserved than white. Mr. Nichols observed, that no reason had yet been discovered for the use of certain colours in certain seals. The Great Seal was always of white wax — the Seal of the King's Bench of green. Mr. Turner remai-ked that the best-preserved collection of seals from the time of John was in Oriel college, Oxford — that the Vintner's Company, in London, possessed many admirable examples of seals of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries — and that the only seal known of the Empress Matilda was preserved in the office of the Duchy of Lancaster. The seal in the chapter-house attributed to Benvenuto Cellini was in high relief and under- cut. It deserved to be deposited in the British Museum. Mr. Hawkins, of the British Museum, exhibited a silver seal of James IV, of Scotland, set on a modern handle, with the date 1510 upon it. Mr. Haw- kins observed, that he had failed in finding any impression of this seal — and careful search had been made for it both in Edinburgh and London. The duke of Northumberland exhibited an ancient gold ring, set with a gem apparently of the tliirteenth, or fourteenth century, found at Prudhoe castle. Lord Holmesdale exhibited a large metal dish of Roman work, cast and then finished on the lathe ; and a most beautiful gold fibula of the ninth or tenth century, found in the Isle of Thanet in 1841. It was set with pieces of coloured glass, tastefully arranged. The dean of Westminster observed, that the front of the first altar of Westminster abbey had been deposited above the presses containing the wax figures. This altar was, in all probability, removed when the tomb and oratory of Henry V. were erected. It was about 12 feet long by 4 feet high — and admirably executed. There was a single figure of St. Peter,, extremely beautiful. He was happy to add, that he had induced the Chapter to take it down and protect it with plate glass. It would soon be on view, the best time to see it would be by a two o'clock sun ; and he would advise any member who came to see it to bring a powerful magnifying glass with him : it would bear the most minute examination. Mr. Eastiake was preparing an account of it. Letters were read from the Rev. Charles Bingham, respecting a diminu- tive cross-legged effigy in Mappowder church, Dorset, and accompanying a cast of it in plaster, presented by him to the Museum of the Institute; also from Mr. Jabez Allies, on Rouaan remains discovered at Droitwich, the sup- posed Salinoc of the ancients.