Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 8.djvu/425

 THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL INSTITlTi:. ;}-.»7 interest associated with sueli inoiuimcnts was wlioHy, and in Bonio instances, wantonly, sacritioed. An animated conversation ensued, in which J.ord Talhot, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Ilopkinson and Mr. Nash, of Clifton, discussed the merits df the proposed principle in regard to the conservation of ancient monuments of architecture and sculpture. Loud Talbot considered that, whilst all must admit the wanton abstraction and disintegration of such vestiges to he highly reprehensible, their removal under peculiar circumsta^ices, fur instance, as regarded the Elgin marbles, or the anti(|uities brought to light by Dr. Layard, was perfectly justifiable and expedient. At the close of the discussion refreshments were served, by the kind hospitality of the Institution. During the whole meeting the Institute received from that Society the most friendly and liberal encouragement ; every facility was afforded, with free access to their museum, library and collections. Wednesday, July 30. This day was devoted to an excursion to Wells, to examine the Cathedral, and the various architectural structures at that place. Professor Willis had promised to deliver his customary discourse upon the architectural history of the Cathedral : and Professor Cockerell, R.A., offered the additional inducement of a demonstration, to illustrate the import and peculiar character of the sculptures, those especially of the west front. With these attractions in view, a numerous party quitted Bristol at an early hour to traverse the Mendip hills, a tedious journey of some ditHcultv : that mode of access being, unfortunately, the only means by which the desire generally expressed by the members, that Wells should be included in the arrangements of the meeting at Bristol, could be gratified. By an unforeseen disappointment, this expedition, originally fixed for the following Friday, was inevitably transferred to this day ; since the two learned Professors, who were prepared to discourse upon the architectural and artistic features of the Cathedral, were unexpectedly summoned to present themselves on that very day at the entertainment offered by the city of Paris to the eminent personages connected with the Great Exhibition. The lectures were delivered in the Court House at Wells. A numerous party of residents in that place and the neighbourhood having joined the visitors from Bristol, Professor Willis delivered one of those masterly discourses, which have so materially enhanced the interest of the Animal Proceedings of the Institute, at their successive meetings ; but of which it is impracticable to give any notion in a concise report. By facilities, kindly afforded to him by the Dean and Cbnpter in his researches into the records, he had elicited facts of signal advantage in prosecuting his enquiry ; and his lecture was received with scarcely less satisfaction, than was afforded by his subsequent demonstration, and actual inspection of the fabric, with the adjacent buildings. Professor Cockerell also gave an admirable discourse upon the sculptures, to the elucidation of which he had devoted so much attention during some years past. The results of this highly interesting investigation have been given to the world, since the meeting at Bristol, in the " Iconography of the West front of Wells Cathedral," a publication in which nnr ipa«I.T- v.lll tn,.!