Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 4.djvu/95

Rh but also to grant a sum of money, in aid of a subscription to be set on foot generally, for that purpose. Mr. Sidney Gibson, Local Secretary for Northumberland, has lately informed the Committee of the Institute that the Finance Committee of the Corporation have given their sanction for the restoration of the building on condition that the plans are submitted to their inspection; and it is intimated that they are disposed to contribute towards the cost of the work as soon as an estimate of the probable expenditure shall have been prepared. With respect to the chapel, we may suggest that it would be desirable to ascertain how far it forms part of the original work. From the architectural details, and more particularly from the appearance and construction of the masonry, it has been supposed that it is a sort of casing introduced early in the thirteenth century within a chamber not originally intended for the performance of divine service. It may be observed also that it was in a decayed state in the time of Henry the Third, and was certainly used as a prison in the reign of Edward the First. At a still later period we find a memorial from the sheriff of Northumberland to Edward the Third, setting forth the grievous state of decay into which the entire building had fallen. We may recur to this subject; at any rate the further progress of the undertaking will be duly noticed: in the meantime we have to congratulate the antiquaries of Newcastle on the success which has, hitherto, attended their movement.

The singular double-cased watch, here represented of the full size, has been submitted for inspection by Miss Burdett. The under side of the silver case is fashioned like the shell of a Nautilus. The maker's name appears in the interior, "Salomon Chenon, Blois." The dial plate is engraved with landscapes, figures, and foliated scrolls. From the character of its ornaments, the date of this object may be assigned to the later part of the seventeenth century. These diminutive watches enclosed in quaint cases, not unfrequently enamelled, were chiefly made at Blois in the Orleannois, a city once in great repute for its horlogerie. In the museum of the Archæological Institute, is preserved a watch, rather smaller than the present example, in a ribbed silver case, of the same manufacture, and about the same date. The maker's name being " M. Alais, Blois." It was presented, with other curious objects, by the Rev. R. Wickhani, of Twyford.