Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 7.djvu/435

 ANNUAL MEETING. 317 Atkins, Esq., of Kingston Lisle, who accompanied them to the church, a fine sti"ucture of the thirteenth century, the chief peculiarities of which were explained and pointed out by Mr. Petit. They examined also the church of Woolstone, and its curious leaden font ; the earth-work, called liardwell Camp, occupied, as tradition affirms, by Ethelred, before the battle of Ashdown ; Wayland Smith's Cave, and the extensive works of Uffington Castle. The interest of their visit to these remarkable sites was much enhanced by the observations offered by the Rev. John Wilson, who kindly pointed out the surrounding objects of this locality, rich in historical associations ; he explained the peculiar construction of the works at Uffington ; from which may be viewed the scene of the battle of Ash- down, the " Dragon's Hill," the Seven Barrows, the Ridgeway, and Alfred's Castle. Mr. Wilson's interesting remarks were rendered the more satisfactory by the aid of a series of valuable plans, which he had caused to be prepared with great care by Mr. Maclauchlan, and which were examined and verified on the spot. The party then visited the White Horse, cut in the turf on the side of the hill. They were there met by a gentleman of the neighbourhood, who made a singular proposition, from which the archaeologists present unanimously dissented, — to render the figure durable, by paving it with white stone. The notion was readily abandoned, and the rustic ceremony of " Scouring the White Horse " will, it may be hoped, continue uninterrupted. The visitors having inspected the remarkable block of Sarsden, called the " Blowing-stone," repaired to the mansion of Mr. Atkins, whose kind hospitality formed a very agreeable close to this excursion. They returned by the church of Sparsholt, with its curious tombs. Here again the vicar, Dr. Nelson, had provided hospitable entertainment, which they were imablc to accept ; and proceeding to Wantage, after a visit to its church and the memorials of the Fitzwarrens, the train was in readiness to convey them to Oxford. A numerous party also proceeded in the direction of Wheatley and Cuddesdon, and visited various objects in that direction ; they were hospitably received at Cuddesdon Palace by the Bishop of Oxford, who accompanied them to the church, which formed the subject of an interesting discourse by Professor Willis. They were then conducted to the remains of the Roman villa and hypocaust, adjacent to the palace, and excavated by the Bishop's directions, as detailed in a former volume of the Journal. In the evening, the Institute and a large assembly of visitors were invited by the Mayor to a brilliant conversazione, given at the Town Hall. Numerous valuable works of art were displayed ; an amateur concert of ancient music, under the direction of Mr. Corfe, added greatly to the gratification of the evening ; whilst in the Council Chamber the guests were greeted with the well-replenished "grace-cup" of the corporation, and with other demonstrations of civic hospitality. The arrangements of this entertainment were carried out with the greatest taste and cft'ect by Mr. R. J. Spiers, and proved a very gratifying termination of the hospitalities of the week. Tdesday, Jdne 25. Previously to the concluding meeting, the Architectural Section assem- bled. Dr. IIauington presiding, when the following conmumicatious were read : —