Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 6.djvu/295

 ^roccEliings ni t|^e i^tctings of ti)E ^rcfiacological Jnstitiue. March 2, 1849. The proceedings commenced bj the reading of several communications, of which two, — a ^Memoir by Mr. Yates, describing the discovery of a Roman sepulchre at Geldestone, Norfolk ; — and a Notice of a singular leaden font, at Brookland, Kent, by Mr. Alexander Nesbitt, in illustra- tion of a series of casts presented by him on this occasion to the Museum of the Institute, are printed at length in this Number of the Journal Some interesting notices were read, communicated by Mr. Joseph Moore, of Lincohi, in illustration of the remarkable tenure of lands in the Manor of Broughtoii, Lincolnshire, by the service of the " gad whip," recently dis- continued. One of the whips, presented to the Institute by Mr. Moore, during the Lincoln meeting, was exhibited, and a representation will be given on a future occasion, with all particulars known in regai-d to that extraordinary custom. An account of the discovery of a large deposit of silver ornaments, in Fifeshire, which were laid before the meeting by Mr. Duxdas, is also reserved for the ensuing Number. Mr. J. 0. Westwood exhibited rubbings (made by the Rev. H. Longue- ville Jones) of two fragments of a very beautiful incised ornamental slab, now used as the lintel of a chimney-piece, in one of the bed-chambers of the farm-house, adjoining Valle Crucis Abbey, North Wales. They are placed together, so as to present the appearance of a single tombstone bi'oken in two, and Pennant conceived the words to form part of one and the same inscription.' The Rev. J. Williams, in a paper on Valle Ciiicis Abbey, in the first volume of the " Archaeologia Cambreusis," had con- sidered them as portions of two distinct slabs, the scroll patterns being of different design and workmanship.' On uniting the two rubbings together, it is evident, however, that they form parts of the same slab. The portion on the eastern side of the tire-place is square, and intended for the head of a cross fleury formed of interlaced branches and leaves, having an eight- rayed star in the centre ; here the branches are broad, and formed of three ribs, giving quite a different appearance to the carving of this part of the slab ; the lower portion or stem of the cross being formed of a slender vine branch, with leaves and fruit exquisitely designed, and united by a knot to the upper part. Another peculiarity consists in the inscription commencing and extending across the stone, below the cruciform ornament ; it then runs along the right side, and terminates on the left side, but the bottom of the cross has been cut o£F, and the sides squared, so that all that remains of the inscription, in letters of the thirteenth century, is — XhlC iXce M- ARURUETi-.I. ... Mr. J. O. Westwood also exhibited a drawing and rubbing (executed by • Penn.int's Tom in Wales, vol. i., p. 372. - Archaeologia Cambrensis, vol. i., p. 29.