Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 9.djvu/474

 378 PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OF beauty and skill displayed in their workmanship, but on account of their essential interest as illustrations of the arts and habits of former races, are condemned to the melting pot as soon as discovered. That in such cases it is highly desirable that some change in the law should be made, so as to avert this destruction of valuable Archaeological evidence, without in- fringing on the sacred rights of property. That your Petitioners humbly pray, that these matters may be submitted to a committee especially appointed for that purpose ; or that they may be granted such relief as to your Honourable Houses may seem meet. Dr. Wilson observed, that in Scotland serious inconveniences had frequently arisen from the effect of the existing law ; valuable relics had been melted down as soon as discovered, and in many instances persons into whose possession they might have fallen refused to entrust them for exhibition at any scientific meeting, through apprehension of their being claimed, as had actually occurred in the case of the Norries Law orna- ments, which through the kindness of Mr. Dundas had been produced at a meeting of the Institute. The law, Dr. Wilson remarked, seemed as if framed to impede science. The Duke of Argyll, and the Marquis of Breadalbane, he had much satisfaction in stating, with other influential persons in North Britain, had intimated their readiness to support such an investigation of this question, as the Petition now proposed sought to obtain. Mr. Clayton, Town Clerk of Newcastle, said that as the Lords of Manors, it was sufficiently evident, practically derive no advantages from the existing state of things, he hoped that, in the event of any modification of the law being proposed, they would be public spirited enough to give up the theory. After some remarks by Mr. Joseph Huntee, and other members present, it was proposed by Mr. Clayton, and seconded by Mr. Blaadw, that the Petition proposed by the noble President be adopted. The motion having been carried unanimously, many signatures were forthwith appended to the Petition. It now remains to receive further signatures at the office of the Institute. The Proceedings of the General Meeting of the members being thus concluded, Lord Talbot proceeded to the great Assembly Room, where a numerous audience had congregated for the closing meeting of the week's proceedings. Lord Talbot, on taking the chair, observed that some communications of essential importance had unavoidably been deferred for want of time at the previous meetings ; and he had now the pleasure to request the Rev. J. CoUingwood Bruce to give the memoir which he had prepared, to report the results of excavations at Bremenidm, which the Duke of Northumberland had directed to be made, with the most kind consideration, being desirous to encourage the objects, and augment the interest, of their meeting in the North. Mr. Bruce then gave a detailed report of the discoveries made at Rochester during the previous weeks, and laid before the meeting a plan of vestiges of buildings brought to light in that station during the excava- tions, still in progress, under the direction of Mr. T. J. Taylor, and Mr. Coulson, who resides on the spot. He produced also copies of the inscriptions lately found, and exhibited numerous relics of the Roman Period, especially a bronze ornament, possibly part of a standard, inscribed, — coii. optima, maxima.