Architecture And Archaæology.

" Of this Archbishop Courteney I lia \ -e nothing further to say , but that he Avas a great persecutor of AVicleff and his followers ; and that we are told he excommunicated one Eichard Ishmonger , a layman of Aylesford , near this town , for daring to punish men for some crimes which the church only ought to take cognizance of : ancl though the poor man submitted , asked pardon , ancl promised heartily never to do so again , yet the archbishop enjoined him this punishment , 'That he should be Avhipped naked three several

market-days at AA est Mailing , and as many at Maidstone ; and then that he should also enter naked into Canterbury Cathedral , and there offer a waxlight of Ave pounds weight at St . Thomas Becket's Shrine , ' a remarkable instance of Popish tyranny ancl cruelty . "

Mr . Hope gave an account of the several changes that have been made in the church . In 1700 it Avas fitted Avith peAVS . He then read some very amusing letters from the incumbent at that time , the Eev . Gilbert Innes , to Sir Jacob Astley , illustrating the statement of Maeaulay—Avhich has so frequently been denied—that the clergy were about that period in a most degraded and

dependent position . In one letter he complains that Lady Eaunce had taken objection to tho said Innes haAring put his wife in Sir Jacob ' s pew - , and ho adds , addressing him as "the right AVorshipful , " that he thought , " when my Lady Marsham Avas absent she sent her maid , and he thought his Avife Avas quite as good , and would not disgrace the pew of Sir Jacob . " Mr . Hope

expressed some surprise that in such days a Scotchman —• for so he supposed Mr . Innes to be—could have obtained preferment so far south . On this subject I must again quote William NeAvton , and Mr . Hope will see that Gilbert Innes was hi some respects Avorthy of his countrymen : —¦ "He Avas nominated to this curacy , July 15 , 1 C 92 , by that excellent primateArchbishop Tillotsonancl Avas very

regulardili-, , , ent , and laborious in the service of it . He made some considerable addition to the income by recovering the curate's right to the small tithes of Loddington . " Mr . Hope then spoke of the various monuments , and in conclusion called on Mr . Parker to offer some remarks on

the college buildings , to the site of Avhich we proceeded . Mr . Parker having concluded , and Ave having made a brief survey , proceeded to Allington Castle , where Mr . Larking gave us some historical anecdotes in connection Avith its former OAvners , and Mr . Parker gave us a conversational lecture on its architectural characteristics . On our return Ave had to cross the Medvray at the ferry ,

and those who got a fright and a cold footbath , by the punt becoming Avater-logged , Avere Avilling , as they Avalked to Maidstone with the Avater oozing from their boots , to acknoAvledge the opinion that I expressed at Peterborough , that to be a good archaeologist you must be amphibious , Avas quite correct . We then went to the public dinner at the Corn Exchange .

The success of this fully justifies the remarks I made about the neglect of this part of the proceedings of the Institute . The dais was occupied by the president and many of the leading county families . The arrangements for the other members and visitors were such as conduced to their comfort in every particular , and reflected the highest credit -on Mr . Espinasse , on whom the management of this portion

of the business devolved . The speaking Avas good and not too long . Lord Stanhope , as President of the Society of Antiquaries , returned thanks for that body . There was one portion of his speech to Avhich I must take exception , viz ., the stereotyped attack on churchwardens , and throAving on them all the responsibility of the disfigurements of our parish churches . I think the blame rested quite as much

with the clergy , Avhose neglect of their duties Ave are fortunately not so Avell acquainted Avith as our fathers and grandfathers Avere . In one of the churches that I lately visited I saw a churchwarden ' s notice signed Avith a cross . A few years ago this was the rule and not the exception . Could these illiterate men be blamed for not understanding and appreciating the beauties of a structure from Avhich its

minister Avas absent , or in which he took no interest . Then his lordship stated that some of his ancestors were buried in Boughton Malherbes Church , and some years ago he went out of his way to look at the monuments , and he found that tho stones had been taken to supply tho deficiences of the pavement . " Such things could not occur at the present time , " said his lordship . Certainly not ; but I

think his lordship ' s family might have done something for the preservation of their memorials , and not have left them in the hands of strangers to become dilapidated . Mr . Hope made an enthusiastic speech on the subject of architecture , ancl expressed a hope that by the fostering aid of such societies as this , ancl by the study of tho past , AVC should be able to erect structures superior to Canterbury ,

and " that lively young architecture Avould spring up rejoicing iu his strength . " Will he permit me to say , that those Avho built Canterbury and other contemporary structures Avere not more imitators , tho inspiration and impress of genius Avere upon all ancl in all they did . The genius of our clay takes a different course , ancl is developed in different results . The monuments of the mental poAver

and constructive skill of our days are as great , or even greater , than any age that has proceeded us . Originality must he manifested , or Ave shall not be able to eclipse Canterbury or any other triumph of architectural skill simply by having recourse to the pattern-book . In the evening there Avas . a convarxatione at the TOAVU Hall , Avhen Mr . Douglass Allport read a paper on "

Antiquities . " The inference draAvn by most of his auditors was that he preferred conjecture to evidence , and that he did not value tho pipe rolls and other documents of a similar character . This was a strange corollary to his quotation , "book openeth book . " I called up Mr . Larking , who claimed ; the greatest value for these truly historical evidences . Mr . Allport explained that he only meant in their

untranslated form , and that they were too dry for general perusal . This explanation did not mend the matter , as he ought to be aware of the pains taken by Mr . Larking to put in a popular form thoso papers of which he has superintended the publication . The Eev , E . Jenkins read a paper on "The Gates of Boulogne , " Avhich Avere given by Henry VIII . to Sir Thomas Hai-dz-es .

In the Council Chamber were exhibited many obiects possessing antiquarian interest . On Thursday morning some of us visited Chillington House . I mention this simply to offer a tribute to the liberality and public spirit of the Corporation , AA'ho have purchased this interesting old mansion for the use of the toAvn ; and it is HOAV devoted to a local museum , Avhich

possesses many objects of interest , especially iu geological specimens . At the meeting in the TOAVU Hall , Mr . Skitter read a paper upon "Kit ' s Coty House . " A large party then proceeded to Leeds Castle , whore Ave had a most cordial reception from Mr . Wykeham Martin , Avho conducted us round aud through the building , and gave such information as he had

been able to obtain from documents in his possession and from other sources . He Avas ably prompted by Mr . Parker , Avho mentioned that which Avas a novelty to some presentone ofthe uses ofthe machicolations overthe gateway . When the besiegers of a castle reached the gate they used to light a bonfire before it , to burn it doAvn , and the besieged then poured Avater CIOAVII to extinguish the fire . The visit was concluded by a sumptuous repast . Another large party

proceeded to the Priars , " near Aylesford , Avhere they met Avith an equally cordial reception from Mr . Henry Simmonds . Thus ended a very satisfactory and successful meeting . 1 cannot conclude Avithout again having recourse to my old friend Newton . He , a native of Maidstone , would have been delighted at tho choice of the place of meeting . He says , Avith a prevision of the Kent Archaaological Society .- — " The

author desires leave to take this occasion of recommending such a public spirit to all , and more especially to tho inhabitants of this large and populous toAvn , —the largest and most beautiful in all this county , ancl most commodiously seated for public business . It is a most obvious as Avell as necessary duty , incumbent on every ono , of Avhatever rank ancl station soeA'crin proportion to his poAver ancl abilityto

, , promote the common good and Avelfarc of the society or community he belongs ' to . Society and friendship ai-e the life of lifo . Nothing is more agreeable to our nature , nothing more desirable . That is Avhat Ave are naturall y disposed and inclined to ; and as of all creatures Ave are the best fitted for society , so Ave stand in the greatest need of it , Avhich is the ground of that uotod saying of old , ' Whoever