Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 8.djvu/568

 ^rci^acologttal Intelligence. Amongst the recent accessions to Archaeological literature, produced under the auspices of the provincial societies, whose activity and useful- ness has been rapidly extended during the past year, we must invite attention to the fourth volume of tlie " Sussex Archaeological Collec- tions." It is very gratifying to observe how fully the promise held out by the Sussex Society has been realised in the increasing interest of their periodical meetings, and of their published transactions. The volume lately published (to be obtained by non-subscribers from Mr. Russell Smith) comprises, amongst various subjects of curious research, several notices of ecclesiastical architecture, especially those of Fletching Church, by the Rev. S. Wilde, the vicar, and the Rev. F. Spurrell ; and of the mural paintings, with other remains found at Stedham, by the Rev. L. Vernon Harcourt. Mr. Blaauw contributes a memoir on the " Vessels of the Cinque Ports ; " the " Castle of Hurstmonceux and its Lords " have presented to Mr. Venables a subject of more than ordinary interest, to the illustration of which pen and pencil have contributed in a most agreeable manner. The illustrations of ancient manners and expenses, by Mr. Durrant Cooper and Mr. Blencowe, are wtll deserving of notice ; and the volume must be regarded as a contribution to the history of the country, acceptable alike to the oeneral reader as to archaeologists. We must also advert, with pleasure, to the sequel of the " Proceedings and Papers," published by the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire. The record of their third session comprises, under the former head, detailed notices of every object submitted for examination at the meetings of the society, described with minute accuracy of detail, and accompanied by illustrations. The system adopted in this portion of the transactions well deserves to be adopted by other local societies. Too frequently are objects of singular interest produced for the transient gratification of periodical assemblies, to be conveyed back again to the arcana of private collections, without any sufficient record of their character being preserved. The combined produce of a single year's exhibitions, at the numberless meetings of antiquarian dilettanti, would go far towards the arrangement of an instructive series in the "British Room," and give in the National Museum those facilities for comparison, so essential to the advancement of archaeological science. Amongst the memoirs in the icv fasciculus of the Lancashire society, the memoir contributed by its founder. Dr. Hume, on implements of the " Stone Period," claims mention, as also the researches regarding Roman vestiges, by Mr. Just and Mr. Robson. The ancient hall-mansions, so characteristic a feature of domestic architecture in Lancashire and Cheshire, have presented a subject of interesting research to Mr. Mayer and other contributors. We would specially invite notice of the memoir on the Roman and British remains, near the river Wyre, by the Rev. W. Thornber, the curious relics discovered in the mosses of that district, and the remarkable construction of timber, by which they were traversed, an ancient pathway known as the " Danes' Pad." Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. — Anniversary, Nov. 28. The Report of the Council gave the important intelligence of the successful issue of negotiations long pending with the Treasury. The society has transferred to tiie crown as national property the important collections of antiquities, formed by them during the last seventy years. This nucleus