Architecture And Archaæology.

epitome of that article ; and , besides reproducing its more knoAvn archaeological features , it stated , for those who had not kindred tastes Avith ourselves , that even sporting , for which this county is famous , could take its stand on the ground of antiquity ; for the Pytchley hunting could trace its pedigree as far back as the " Domesday Book , " wherein

its special privileges are recorded . He concluded by saying , that "in Northamptonshire they would find the oldest church , the oldest Christian monument , and the oldest council-chamber ; great battle fields , ancl a noble cathedral ; a county plentifully stored with the seats of nobility ancl gentry ; a county in which a peculiar spirit prevailed ; and , as Fuller said , ' a people speaking the best English spoken

in England . ' " This gave good promise for our future investigation , ancl fully justified the choice of the locality . The thanks of the meeting were proposed in eloquent terms by Lord Neaves , Avho , among other happy remarks , said that one of the reasons which made these societies popular was that their purpose was not all dry study ; but , as we looked back the pastand then visited the

upon , memorials of former generations , we viewed things that address themselves to the heart as well as the understanding . In the afternoon ive proceeded to Thorpe , to view the church and toAver , both about the date 1260 . There was nothing very remarkable in the former ; but the latter is a good example of a fortified house of the period . It

very reminded us of the Peel houses to Avhich . our attention Avas called Avhen Ave visited the north . In the evening there Avas a . sectional meeting , Avhen Mr . Parker read a paper " On the Ancient Houses , Domestic Chapels , and Hospitals of Northamptonshire . " Some thought it was too technical for an early meeting , at which there were many local members who could not be expected

to know much about archaaology in one day . A discussion ensued , and , as an illustration of the freedom of debate that prevailed , Mr . Freeman stated that he knew nothing about domestic buildings , so he Avould make a few remarks about the special characteristics of the Northamptonshire churches . Those who felt somewhat depressed by the heaviness of this mental repast repaired to the Cathedral

Close , Avhen that noble pile Avas illuminated by a most brilliant moon ; and , while walking round to see from every point of vieAV the grand effects Avhich Avere produced , they experienced a practical interpretation of the meaning of aesthetics . On "Wednesday , at the sectional meeting , Professor Erie read an interesting paper " On the Local Nomenclature of

the County ; " and the Eev . Abner Brown one " On Certain Existing Landmarks of Early English Ecclestastical History . " We then made an excursion to Barnacle , Avhere the church has a Saxon toAver with an Early English spire . The rector , tbe Eev . Canon Argles , gave a lucid account of the discoA * eries which had been made on the removal of the rubbish by which its peculiarities had been concealed . An

animated conversation ensued on various points in connection with its date and history . Mr . Parker gave his opinion that it was built in the early part of the eleventh century , probably in the time of Canute . He thought that as many old English churches were built by the Danes as the Saxons , and the forms which they took were in imitation of the old wooden churches , —that it was , in fact , as

others have said , carpentry in stone . We then proceeded to Wittering , to Wansford , and to Castor , where the church became the theme of much admiration and critical inquiry . The Eev . Owen Davys gave us the results of his investigations , and the members devoted considerable time to the inspection . We then returned to Peterborough , Avhere the President ,

according to the programme , took the chair at the ordinary . In the evening there was a conversazione at the Deanery , where Ave were most cordially received and most hospitably entertained . The choir of the cathedral sang an excellent selection of glees and madrigals . Oh Thursday we went to " Stamford , calling at Oakham by the way . Here Ave proceeded to view the church , which has just been restored by Mr . Scott . As a church , it is amongst the most psrfect for usefulness and beauty . A

very large congregation can be accommodated , Avho can both see ancl hear . We then went to see the Norman Hall , Avhich is iu excellent preservation . It is now used for the county courts . The Avail is nearly covered Avith horse-shoes , some of which are of gigantic proportions . This arises from an old

custom that , whenever a peer visits the toAvn , he is made to contribute a horse-shoe . The custodian , with great alacrity , seized upon our president , and secured , or , a vulgar member said , soon " nailed" his shoe . We then proceeded to Stamford , where we were met by the Rev . C . Nevinson , who took us to the site of the castle , whereon ivas subsequentlbuilt the Nunnery of St . Michael . We then

y pro ceeded to St . Martin ' s Church , the Toivn Hall , where the city plate Avas exhibited , to St . John's and St . Mary ' s Church . In the former there have been some considerable reparations , but the colouring of the roof seemed to mo to be very poor . We then proceeded to the Hotel , where a most sumptuous entertainment had been provided by the corporation . The MayorMr . Johnsontook the chairand

, , , performed the part of host , quite in accordance Avith the spirit of old English hospitality . The entertainment concluded , we proceeded to view the other antiquities , which are very numerous . One of the most striking peculiarities to ivhich our attention was called Avas at All Souls' Church , where is an Early English arcade round the external walls . This Avas regarded as a great novelty of construction . At

all the places visited , the Eev . Charles Nevinson gave us all the information Avhich he had been able by great research to acquire . In the evening there Avas a sectional meeting , at which Mr . Bloxam read a paper ou " The Monumental Eemains in the Cathedral ; " and the Eev . J . Lee Warner , a communication on "The Manuscript Chronicle and Chartulary of

Bobert Swapham . " Friday brought us a large accession of members ancl visitors , attrated by the announcement that Professor Willis ivas to lecture on the Cathedral . At the morning meeting , Professor Babbington read a paper on the " Ancient History of the Fens . " He was followed by the Eev . E . Trollope , on "The Cardyke , " when an animated

discussion ensued , more especially in connection Avith the natural history of the district . As two o'clock there Avas a very large assembl y in the Corn Exchange , when Sir Charles Anderson read a short paper , to call attention to the repairs that were now going on at Lincoln Cathedral . He most emphatically condemned the ings ancl Avashingswhich he said

scrap , were entirely destructive of the harmony and beauty of the building . He exhibited two photographs , showing the scraped ancl un scraped portions , and he called upon the members to aid him in putting a stop to such desecration . Then came the great attraction of the meeting , the lecture on the Cathedral by Professor Willis , who , with his accustomed clearness and fluency us the history of the

, gave structure . It is his peculiarity that he has the poAver of so addressing himself to the subject , that his listeners are under the impression that he is invoking their knowledge , instead of propounding facts with Avhich they were formerly unacquainted . He said the great feature of this cathedral Avas the few changes of style that it displayed ; and when it was considered that the building was seventy-five in

years the course of construction , it shoived a great reverence was was displayed by the builders , and those who employed them , for the original Norman design . He reconstructed the conventual buildings in words ; and the arrangements , forms , and characteristics , were presented to our mind ' s eye as clearly and distinctly as if they Avere before us in substance .

In the evening-, Mr . J . Lambert " offered some remarks on the Sarum Hymnal , Avith vocal illustrations . " This was as great a novelty as " George Eidler ' s oven , " at Gloucester , only not quite so amusing . " " Mr . Lambert , in calling attention to the archasology of music , seemed to be quite i gnorant of Mr . Wm . Chappell's excellent volumes on that subject The Dean of Ely both said and sang a reply , which prevented any further discussion . On Saturday , we started on onr way to Thorney Abbey . The nave of the old church , Avhich was finished in 1108