Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 4.djvu/389

 AJU'IIAEOLOGICAL INTELLIGENCE. 365 teresting not only with rcsjject to its architectural features, among which maj' be noticed tlie remarkable Saxon crypt p, probably constructed by St- Wilfrid, but also on account of its association with an early and most eventful period of English ecclesiastical history, that we are disposed to believe that the exigencies of the committee require only to be made gene- rally known to ensure the general support of all architectural antiquaries throughout the country. It is with much pain we learn that the committee are liable for a debt of £385, to meet which there is in hand only a balance of£140q. We have before referred to the application made by the Society of Anti- quaries of Newcastle-on-Tyne to the corporation of that town, for a lease of the Norman keep, with a view to its restoration and appropriation as the museum of the Society. Mr. W. Sidney Gibson, who takes great interest in the matter, has informed us that although the report of the committee of the Town Council has not yet been considered it is favourable to the proposition, and that Mr. Dobson, architect, is preparing the plans and working drawings, which are expected to be ready by the anniversary meeting of the Society in February, in which month also the recommenda- tion contained in the report of the committee is expected to be confirmed. Late excavations, rendered necessary by the construction of the great raihvay-bridge, have laid bare, as we are told, various parts of the outer walls and buildings of the castle, and it is to be hoped accurate notes were taken of their character and appearance. It is said, also, that various Roman remains were discovered, among them a small stone figure of Mercury, and we are informed that these interesting relics have been transferred to the York museum, instead of being deposited in the collec- tion of the Society of Antiquaries ; if this be true it would im})ly great re- missness on the part of the local authorities in permitting their abstraction. The Committee of the Archaeological Institute have resolved to issue, under their immediate superintendence, a series of manuals of the different branches of archaeological enquiry; in these works an attempt will be made to reduce within the closest limits, consistent with a scientific treat- ment of the various subjects, all the useful information contained in works already printed, as well as that derived from recent discoveries and investi- gations. The Committee are fully aware of the difficulties naturally attend- ing the execution of such a plan, but they hope they will be materially lessened by the now wide-spread spirit of antiquarian research, and there- fore earnestly invite the co-operation of the members of the Institute towards the accomplishment of their design. The several volumes will be illustrated by accurate engravings, and appear as speedily as possible. A more de- tailed announcement will be given when the Committee are in a position to state the precise order in which the respective treatises will be published ; in the mean time it may be observed that one work is already in the press. See the Archaeol. Journal, vol. ii. p. 239. of the Archaeological Institute, 12, Hav- •< Subscriptions may he paid at the office market. VOL. IV. 3 B