French Antiquarian Researches In The East.

twelve feet deep , and from one to two yards wide : —at the bottom of these wells are rectangular doors leading to two chambers , in Avhich are placed the sarcophagi . The wells therefore generally form the entrances to two caverns , but in one case a number of the latter Avere in communication with each other , forming a regular catacomb ; in the sides of these wells are holes by which you may descend by the

aid of hands and feet . There are other Avells , deeper and of smaller dimensions , containing water , but without the foot-holes just mentioned . M . Eeinan intends , hoAvever , during the dry season to explore these also , and see if they are not the entrances to another ancl a deeper set of caverns . The class of chambers above referred to are described as always rectangular and completely Avithout any kind of

ornament . Another series is vaulted , and contains lateral niches for the- sarcophagi , and round holes cut with a revolving bit in the roof , apparently for air . The remaining series consists of painted caverns decorated in Eoman style , with Greek inscriptions . The elaborate catacombs hewn out of the solid rock bear testimony to the extraordinary care which the le of Tyre and Sidon bestoAved

peop on the last homes of their race . One of the points on which the Phosnicians were most anxious Avas that no other foodies should be intruded into their tombs ; but the presence of Sarcophagi of various styles and epochs in even the oldest caverns proves that the later Phoenicians , however they may have shared the wishes of thoir predecessors , did not pay much respect to them .

The devastation caused by seekers for treasure is said to be most complete ; not a sarcophagus has escaped , and inauy of which the covers Avere too heavy to be removed have holes cut in the ends , through which the contents have doubtless been abstracted , and the place has been a valuable marble quarry for ages . When Ave consider the size of the sarcophagi and the depth ancl narrowness of the entrance-pits , we are struck with the amount of exiiended labour that these curious caverns and their contents must

represent . The grand quadrangular caverns recall the biblical references to the sepulchres , the wells , of Avhich the yaAvning mouths seem to wait for more prey , may have given rise to the HebreAV image of death , " The mouth of the pit has devoured him , " and the catacombs themselves are grand , solemn , simple , and deeply cut into the rocky crust of the

earth . The sarcophagi discovered differ as much as the caverns in Avhich they Avere contained ; in the vaulted chambers were sarcophagi of terra-cotta , ornamented with garlands and rounded corners ; others were simple rectangular holes in the floor or sides of the cavern ; in the painted chambers the hagi were in the form of vatsthe covers were

sarcop , rounded , and both were ornamented with heads of lions and panthers , massive garlands , and masks richly sculptured , but greatly overcharged . These M . Eeinan sets down not as pure Phoenician , but provincial . In the quadrangular chambers alone were found the massive raai-ble sarcophagi with sculptured heads already referred to , and which M . Eeinan regards as the special product of the

Necropolis of Saida . He has brought home six of these and the pieces of a seventh , and he considers them as representing periods wide apart . In the most modern the head is almost completely formed , and the Greek element is unquestionably evident in the sculpture , while the most ancient is a mere reproduction in marble of an Egyptian mummy . On one sarcophagi of the vat form which M .

Eeinan has brought home the outer fillets of the mummy are represented . The most modern of the former bears some remains of painted ornament . M . Eeinan attributes these headed sarcophagi to the middle age of Phoenicia , or the long period which connects the Assyrian domination and that of Seleucus , and he thinks he can trace some analogy between the sculpture and that of Nineveh and

Persepolis . The absence of inscriptions is attributed to the fact that the sarcophagi in question Avere not monuments , but mere coffins to behidden from the eyes of men in the deep rocky caverns of the necropolis . M . Eeinan says that he ancl his colleagues have left all the parts of the caverns open to the curious , but , he adds , that the ground in Avhich they are contained has become the

French Antiquarian Researches In The East.

property of France ; and , with respect to other parts , he states that the Imperial Government has acquired the exclusive right of excavation for one year .

Manchester Architectural Association.

MANCHESTER ARCHITECTURAL ASSOCIATION .

The usual meeting of this association was held on the 24 th nit . After some preliminary business Mr . John EoAvfand read a paper on " Stone . " The paper was opened by a general revieiv of stone as an important building element ; and one , a thorough knowledge of which is indispensible to the architect . After noticing the peculiarities of the different kinds while in tho rock , and confining his remarks in a

great measure to the quarries of Yorkshire aud Derbyshire , he referred to Fountains Abbey as an illustration of the unequal decay of stone obtained from the same quarry ; shoAving that it is impossible to knoAV Avith certainty that each stone raised to the edifice is perfect ; but , having a knoAvledge of the most durable varities , we must exercise our OAA-n judgment as to the qualities of the Avhole . He then ,

in continuation of the subject , arranged freestones under four heads , viz ., sandstones , limestones , magnesian limestones , and oolitic stones ; giving the names of the A'arions quarries , colour , specific gravity , and other distinguishing characteristics ; mentioning a number of buildings in Avhich these stones AA erc employed . Eeferring to decomposition and disintegration ( the two causes of decay in stone ) , heremarked , " when Ave consider the state of the atmosphere in

Manchester , Ave cannot wonder at the decay Avhich often exhibits itself in our new warehouses , eA * en before the workmen have left the ' . building . The air of Manchester , which , hi consequence of the large consumption of coal in the neighbourhood ,-always contains sulphuric and carbonic acids , must necessarily exercise a powerful and injurious influence . Upon examination of stone and brickwork in Manchester ,

sulphates of lime ancl magnesia are always found ; Avhich , after rain , are absorbed into the porous material ; ancl crystallising in dry weather , effect its destruction . If in our populous and . smoky tovnis we are to preserve our buildings , Ave must have recourse to chemical means . " Having alluded to tbe various processes which have hitherto been discovered for the attainment of this object , the Avriter concluded with

a hope that " a process may soon be found which , beingapplied to the external face of stone buildings , may be so effectual that after the lapse of centuries thoy may yet testify to the improvements of the nineteenth century . " After a short discussion it was decided that the importance of the subject merited further investigation . Its consideration Avill therefore be resumed at the next meeting , in the place of the paper for tho evening .

General Architectural Intelligence.

GENERAL ARCHITECTURAL INTELLIGENCE .

Saint Luke ! s Church , Blakenhall , Wolverhampton , the third of the memorial churches to the late Archdeacon Hodson , has just been consecrated by the Lord Bishop of Lichfield , The foundation-stone was laid on the 26 th of June , 1860 , so that but little more than twelve months have been occupied in the building , and this , it must be admitted is a fact for congratulation , seeing the great want of church

accommodation which has existed in the district , Avhez-e a population lias alreaily settled numbering about three thousand souls . The church was built by subscriptions , aided by liberal grants from the Diocesan and Incorporated Church Building Societies , and a portion of the fund raised for honouring the memory of Archdeacon Hodson . The donations of several local gentlemen , both to the building

and endowment fund ( the latter of which amounts to £ 2000 ) , have been of the most handsome character , and the contributions of the inhabitants toAvards providing a church for themselves reflect credit upon the givers . The schools , whose Avails are now rapidly attaining their destined elevation , will owe their origin chiefly to the munificence of the Eev . W . Daltonand a grant from the Committee of

, Council on Education , Mr . Dalton haA'ing appropriated to the funds a sum of between £ 500 and £ 600 presented to him as _ a testimonial of esteem from his congregation on his resigning the A'icarage of St . Paul ' s , to enter on the incumbency of St . Philip ' s church , Penn-fields . The arrange-