Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 9.djvu/463

 THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE. 367 curious arms might have been thus placod by sonu* warrior, who had taken refuge in the nioruss, with the intention of preserving them from the foe ; but that he was surprised and slain, and they had remained fixed in that position, whilst the shafts of the spears, and the sword handles had perished by decay of time. The great line of ancient road, indicated in Armstrong's County Map as the Watling Street, passed near the 8pot ■where these weapons, exhibited to the meeting by Mr. Liddell, had been found. He produced also accurate drawings of some curious architectural features at Ravensworth Castle, to which he was desirous to invite the attention of the Institute, especially two towers, which appeared to be of a remote age, and which he believed had been seldom visited. Mr. Liddell also observed, that at the meeting on the previous day the munificence of the Duke of Northumberland, in prosecuting the investigation of ancient remains existing in Northumbria, had deservedly been applauded. He had now the gratification to announce, that an express had just been received from Kochester by Mr. Bruce, intimating that important discoveries had been made on the previous day ; an inscription had also been brought to light, which Mr. Clayton and Mr. Bruce regarded as a most valuable accession to the monuments of Roman times in the North. The excavations, directed by his Grace to be made at that station, with the kind purpose of contributing to the gratification of the present meeting, had already produced, under the careful directions of Mr. Coulson and Mr. Taylor, highly interesting results. Mr. PuLSKY read a memoir upon Ancient Gems, and produced in illus- tration a very choice series of examples, from his own collections. He oifered some remarks upon the restorations of antique intaglios, and upon modern forgeries : and gave an account of the principal existing collec- tions. In the evening a meeting took place in the rooms of the Literary and Philosophical Society, the Hon. W. Fox Strangways presiding. The following memoirs were read : — On the Votive Monument at Kloster Nieuburg, near Vienna ; by the Rev. J. M. Tkaiierne, F.S.A. On the sepulchral remains of the ancient inhabitants of Northumberland, with remarks on the classification of cinerary urns found in that county. By Mr. George Tate, F.G.S. The meeting then adjourned to the Castle, where the Rev. J. Colli.ng- wooD Bruce discoursed upon the various parts and peculiar features of the Norman keep, accompanying his audience through all the chambers and intricate arrangements of the fortress, every part of which was brilliantly illuminated for the occasion. The museum of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, there preserved, was a further object of attraction ; and, by the kindness of the council, that rich repository of north country antiquities was open to the members of the Institute throughout the meeting week. Thursday, August 26. The Architectural Section assembled at ten o'clock, when Mr. Edmund Sharpe read a Memoir on Tynemouth Priory ; he took occasion, in the course of his observations, to make honourable mention of the good taste and praiseworthy spirit shown by Capt. Andrews, under whose direction the ruins had been cleared, and excavations carried out, which would