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Rh from St. Briavel's, Gloucestershire," and exhibited an object locally known as "The Gift" in illustration of it [infra, p. 174].

Mr. W. W. Skeat read a paper entitled, "Malay Spiritualism (infra, p. 134), which was illustrated by lantern slides.

The Meeting terminated with votes of thanks to the readers of the several papers.

The following books which had been presented to the Society since the last Meeting were laid on the table, viz.:

The Peabody Museum Papers, vol. ii., presented by Miss L. Kennedy; The 18th Annual Report of the Bureau of American Ethnology, edited by J. W. Powell, presented by the Smithsonian Institution; and Folktales from the Indus, by Barlow and McNair, presented by the Authors.

THE LETTER OF TOLEDO.

BY M. GASTER. PH.D.

(Read at Meeting, 26th February, 1902.)

In the year 1184 the world was startled by a letter purporting to come from the sages and astrologers of Toledo. It was sent to Pope Clement III. and to other men of weight, informing them of the impending doom. The world was to be destroyed in the year 1186 through wind and storms, drought and famine, pestilence and earthquake. The people were advised to forsake their houses and well-built mansions, and to try and find safety in mountains and caverns, to protect themselves against the storms of sand with which the inhabitants of the sea coasts would be visited; notably the towns of the East. The air (continued the letter) will be darkened and poisoned by that fearful wind, and in the midst of it a voice or sound will be heard, which will destroy the hearts of men. All towns