tissimi, it would appear that this legion returned to the service of Diocletian and Maximian after Britain was regained to the Roman rule. Its co-operation with the 2nd legion, styled Auguta, is further recorded in a curious pictorial monument, which has been overlooked by English antiquaries, and a notice of which he (Mr. Smith) had just printed, but not yet pub. lished, in an account of the antiquities of Rutupia, where the 2nd legion was quartered at a late period. On a circular plate published by Buonarotti in 1698, is represented, in a style of workmanship which betokens a late period, a design intended to denote the 20th and the 2nd legions. Each is shown by five soldiers, armed, and bearing oval shields. The

foremost soldier of the 20th legion carries a military standard, beneath which is inscribed LEG. XX. v. v., and the figure of a wild boar, its badge or device. The other group is distinguished by the words LEG. SECVND. AVGVSTA, and a capricorn; between them is the name AVRELIVS CERVIANVS, and beneath, VTERE FELIX, while various animals fill the field of this singular work. Who Aurelius Cervianus was, or on what occasion these two legions were under his command, must, it is feared, remain a mystery. Towards the period of the retirement of the Roman soldiers from Britain, when the Notitia was compiled, no mention is made of the Chester legion, and its old associate, the 2nd legion, was removed to Richborough, in Kent. Mr. Smith then reviewed other inscriptions found at Chester, one, dedicated 1.0.M. JOVI TANARO, he explained as addressed to Jupiter Tonans, under a twofold attribute of the Roman Jove and the Teutonic Thor, an exemplification of the religious toleration of the Romans, whose system of mythology recognised the divinities of all countries; and wherever they planted their standards, there they invoked the gods, known or unknown, adopting those which differed from their own, and uniting under one appellation others whose attributes corresponded. The altar recently discovered near the Julian Tower at Chester he read thus:-GENIO AVERNI IVL. QUINTILIANVS, Julius Quintilianus to the Genius of Avernus; and he compared it to another of the Chester series inscribed Genio Loci, and observed, in illustration of this peculiar class of monuments, that we have inscriptions to the genius of Cæsar, to the genius and lares of Augustus, to the genius of the army, of the Roman people, of cities, of fountains, of forums, of granaries, of theatres. Every spot had its protecting spirit or genius, who was frequently propitiated without any other designation than that of genius

hujus loci, or genio loci; and, in like manner, we find the nymphs addressed simply, nymphis loci, "to the nymphs of the place;" and there is one dedication running thus :-Nymphis quæ sub colle sunt, "to the nymphs which are under the hill." Inscriptions are extant to the infernal gods; to the Stygian Jupiter; in one, the word "genius "is associated; to Pluto and Proserpine; and to the genius of Pluto. To these, if our reading be accepted, we may now add that to the genius of Avernus; every one would call to mind the oft-quoted words facilis descensus Averni. The lecturer then proceeded to describe the inscriptions on the blocks, or pigs, of lead, of which so many have been found in the vicinity of Chester, one even within the last few months, which was exhibited in the museum. They occur of Claudius, Nero, Vespasian, Domitian, Hadrian, Pius, and Verus, and also with the names of persons who appear to have been vested with authority to collect the tribute or taxes. From notices found in ancient authors, it appears that the Britons well understood the arts of extracting tin and lead, as well as other metals, from their mines, and they ranked among the chief articles of British commerce, and were the temptations which induced the Romans to brave unknown seas and inhospitable shores, to carry roads over morasses, and walls mountains, and to retain possession for four hundred years, at a frightful sacri fice of human life and liberty, of "Britain divided from the world." There can be but little doubt that the Romans employed the subjugated Britons to work their own mines, or appointed tributes so heavy and onerous, that a large portion of the products went to the Roman revenue. The pigs of lead which in past time have been found in Cheshire, are among the most interesting of our national monuments. Some are stated to have been inscribed-IMP. DOMIT. AVG. GER. DE. The Ceangi, or Cangi, as before remarked, inhabited this district. They are mentioned by Tacitus, and in one inscription the word is spelt Kiangi.

CEANG.

over

The Chairman conducted the audience round the city wall, pointing out the remains of Roman work at the North gate, at the Roodeye, and in other places. At the north wall is a cornice of undoubted Roman work; and a question was raised as to whether it surrounded the entire wall, or had at some remote period belonged to a temple, and was adapted for the mural erection. An arch near the Julian tower was also visited; and, lastly, the sculpture on a rock, representing Minerva beneath a canopy.

The Rev. Mr. Marsden, of Nantwich, read a short paper containing particulars concerning the widow of Milton, who survived her husband fifty-two years, and was buried in the Baptists' burial-ground at Nantwich. She was the daughter of Edward Minshall, esq. of Stoke, situated three miles from that town. Milton, at the time of this his third marriage, was fifty-three years of age, and this lady married him when "blind and infirm," and appears to have died in 1730. No monument marks the spot where her remains rest, but tradition points to a grave on the left hand of the entrance to a small inclosed court, near the old dilapidated meeting-house in Barker-street.

The excursion to Liverpool was made on the invitation of the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, and of the mayor of Liverpool. The party were conveyed by a special train to Monks Ferry, where they were received by members of the Historic Society, and embarked on board the Wirral steam-packet. On landing at Liverpool they found carriages ready to take them, as they preferred, to Speke Hall, or to Sefton Church and the mansion of Ince Blundell, esq. which contains a portion of the Townley marbles. At five o'clock they were entertained to dinner at the Adelphi hotel, Liverpool, by the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire; after which Mr. J. G. Waller read a paper on the sepulchral brasses of Roger Legh at Macclesfield and Sir Peter Legh at Winwick, the background of the former of which contains a representation of St. Gregory's Mass, and the latter is remarkable for its union of the costume of a knight and priest in one person.

F. W. Fairholt, esq, F.S.A. then read a paper on the ceremonial observances and public processions of ancient Guilds.

The last paper read was by the Rev. A. Hume, on the Chester Mystery Plays. These performances are traced up to the twelfth century, but from 1268 to 1577 they were nearly annual, and were attended by large crowds. The season of the year in which they were performed was "the Whitsun-week," a period which is still regarded as unquestionable holiday-time by the inhabitants of Cheshire and Lancashire. The plays were twenty-four in number, so that eight were performed on each of the first three days. The locality was the streets of the ancient city, in the open air; and the weather at that season of the year is usually favourable to open representation. From the peculiar structure of Chester, it must have presented unusual facilities for seeing and hearing. The auditors in the rows were like spectators in the boxes of an ordinary theatre;

they could see and hear without the necessity of crowding. The performances were managed by the members of the various Guilds, or Trades' unions, superintended by the clergy, who were supposed to have a superior knowledge of the subjects. Each trade took the performance of one play, except where the numbers were small, and then two or three acted together. The language in which the plays were originally written seems to have been French; but they have evidently existed for a long time in English, and several of the obsolete words and phrases are still retained in the provincialisms of this district. Thus, dig, crache, losel, clear or file, delve, sleech, hilling, &c. will be recognised at once. In some instances the directions to the performers are given in Latin, and occasionally a verse of scripture, with the reference, is quoted in Latin, showing that the monks had acted as superintendents of the performances. Mr. Hume's essay contained various other interesting remarks connected with the subject. The plays themselves, as is well known, have been edited by the late Mr. Sharp of Coventry, and by Mr. Wright for the Percy Society.

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE ARCHITECTURAL

AND ARCHEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Aug. 2. The second anniversary of this Society was held in the Town Hall, Buckingham; the chair was taken by J. Tyringham Bernard, esq. of Winchendon Priory, near Thame, one of the VicePresidents. The hall was hung round with a large collection of brass rubbings, chiefly from churches in the county; and a long table was spread with architectural drawings and objects of antiquity, including -British gold coins found in Whaddon Chase, belonging to the Society, with drawings and descriptions of the several types there discovered; Medal of Pope Innocent VI. from Chetwode Priory; fragment of a glass vessel discovered in the Roman Barrow near Thornborough ; a metal dish, with an embossed enamel bearing the arms and initials of King Charles I., exhibited by G. W. Stowe, esq. Buckingham; the brass matrices of the Conventual Seal of St. Blaise, Boxgrave, exhibited by the Rev. J. B. Reade, Vicar of Stone; a coloured drawing of the rood-screen at Southwold, Suffolk; portions of a rich pede carpet worked in blue worsted, with gold diaper and fleurs de lis, intended for the sacrarium of St. Mary's, Aylesbury, &c.

The following Lectures and Papers were then delivered: -On the places of finding British Coins, illustrated by drawings and a map, communicated by J. Y.

Akerman, esq. Fellow and Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries; on Monumental Brasses, illustrated by rubbings from Churches in the county, by Rev. A. Baker, Hon. Sec.; and some historical and architectural notices of Ackhampstead Chapel, Oxon, about to be destroyed by an order of the Diocesan Court of Oxford, by G. L. Browne, esq. Hon. Sec.

ROLLIN COLLECTION OF COINS.

Messrs. Rollin of Paris, well known as the most extensive and respectable dealers in Antiquities of France for the last half century, and well trained in every kind of antiquarian learning, having found the pursuits of numismatics considerably abated since the revolution of February 1848, have lately, at the suggestion of their London Agent, effected a sale by auction at Messrs. Sotheby and Wilkinson's of a small part of their immense stock of coins and antiques. It took place July 25th to August 2nd, and went off, on the whole, satisfactorily, notwithstanding this being a period the most critical in European history, the lateness of the season, and the consequent absence from town of the greatest and most zealous of our collectors. The whole sale realized about 1,300l. Amongst other merits of these ancient medals, the fine Greek series in copper, one of the most rich and valuable in all respects ever sold in London, was valued at above 1,2007. according to Mionnet's works, which constitute in every respect the best guide for ancient coins; this class included coins of more than 510 cities and 70 kings. Many of the silver coins of Greece realized very fair prices, as for instance lot 121, a good coin of Hyrium, at 21. 88.; lot 271, a coin of Velia with ΚΛΕΥΔΩΡΟΥ on the helmet, (see Raoul de Rochette's Lettre à Mr. le Duc de Luynes, sur les graveurs, &c. 4°. 1831,) sold for 558.; lot 293, an extra rare coin of Crotona, produced 27. 4s.; four beautiful Syracusan medallions brought only 231. A splendid medal attributed by some to Dionysius II. King of Sicily, lot 447, sold for 41. 48.; a remarkable coin of Acanthus, lot 534, for 41. 38.; these last were worth much more, as was lot 537; Ossa, &c. sold for only 258. A most rare coin of Orthagoria, wt. 1545 grs. troy, brought 218.; Philip V. of Macedon, at 43s. a reasonable price. Demetria, very rare, 218; lot 674 and 675, two fine coins of Epirus, produced 31. 88. and 21. 68. each; very good prices. A most rare coin of Damastium, lot 678, wt. 203 grs. 21s.; it was worth three guineas. A rare coin of Proconnesus sold at 668.; a good price. Lot 851 contained the rare hemi-cistophorus of Tralles-Seleucia (Lydia), wt. 84 grs.; it was formerly in the celebrated

Thomas Cabinet (see lot 2409). A fine tetradrachm of Euthydemus, sold at 57. 58. and numerous others equally well. Altogether the prices obtained for the gold coins, especially those of Greece, were considered rather low, many being as fine as on the day they were first issued from the mint. An Antiochian medallion of Galba, lot 957, in good silver, and alleged to be one of the scarcest extant, was disposed of for 448. About 145 Greek coins in copper, all presumed to be unpublished, were sold in the last day's sale for 301. The fine and rare Sassanidæ coins in silver, of which so many have not been dispersed by the "smart tap' " of the auctioneer's hammer for many years, sold on the average very fairly. An unpublished small silver coin of Canusium, lot 119, was bought by General Fox for 87. 15s.; it is very likely unique. Lot 389, a fine small medallion in bronze of Alexander Severus, produced 24s. Lots 497 and 498, two Bactrian coins in gold, brought 21. 38. each coin; they were both fine. A beautiful large brass medal of the Roman Empress Manlia Scantilla, sold at 27. 198.; and one of Gordian II. at 37. 10s., a very good price. A most rare didrachm of Nero sold for 10s.

Amongst the antiquities, all of which sold extremely well, we may notice lot 966, a pair of perfect Roman Elastics for horses' fronts, at 21s.; lot 968 at 21s., an Etruscan Speculum, or round-shaped plate of bronze, with the edge turned up, slightly concave, having the outer side gilt and highly polished, and the inner adorned with the Goddess of Fate, or a female with wings and Phrygian head-dress; this design is scratched in, not in relief; see Gerhard "Etruskische Spiegel," Denni's Etruria, &c. Lot 971, a Striginis, or flesh scraper, with a name on the handle, brought 198. The Etruscan Pottery, of which myriads of specimens have been found in the Etrurian soil within the last twenty years, all sold well; the collection consisted of Rhytons, Cylixes, Bowls, Lepastes, Tazzas, Diotas, Amphoras, Ascos, Enochoes, Scyphi, Lecythi, Alabastrons, &c. A unique square Egyptian mosaic, mounted in gold, 24 inches long, was bought by Mr. A. Hertz, for 61. 6s.

The arrangement of the catalogue (a fine 8vo. of 138 pages) was, as usual, entrusted to Messrs. Rollin's agent, Mr. Curt of London, Antiquary, a judicious and impartial cataloguer, distinguished by an intelligent spirit of patient research, and a profound acquaintance with Numismatography, &c. Messrs. Sotheby and Wilkinson will sell a larger portion of Messrs. Rollin's antiquities of all descriptions during the forthcoming season of 1849-1850.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

July 21. Mr. B. Osborne moved for papers connected with the advance of Russian troops into the kingdom of HUNGARY.-Lord Palmerston said, Austria was a most important element in the balance of Europe, and anything which might cripple her power would be a great calamity; but it was not as an ancient ally of England, or as the point of resistance in the centre of Europe against any disturbance to the balance of power, that Austria found favour in the eyes of some men who have had the conduct of public affairs in this country-it was because she was supposed to be identified with resistance to the progress of liberty, with resistance to political and social improvement. The House would not expect him to pronounce judgment between the Austrian Government and the Hungarian nation but he firmly believed that this war between Austria and Hungary has enlisted on the side of Hungary the hearts and souls of the whole people. He regarded Hungary as a state which had been united for centuries with Austria by the link of the crown, but separate and distinct from Austria by its own complete constitution; and took the question now to be fought for on the plains of Hungary to be this-whether Hungary shall continue to retain its separate nationality as a distinct kingdom, with a constitution of its own, or whether it shall be incorporated in the aggregate constitution which is to be given to the Austrian empire. devoutly to be wished, for the interest of Austria, and of Europe, that this great contest could be brought to a termination by an amicable arrangement between the contending parties; but no opportunity had yet presented itself to the British Government for making any official communication of its opinions on the subject.

It was

July 23. Mr. Hindley moved the second reading of his bill for preventing SUNDAY TRADING in the metropolis.Sir G. Grey and several hon. members urged him not to proceed with it, as it would be impossible to pass it this session; but he persisted in his desire to have the principle of the measure affirmed by the House.-Mr. Wall moved the adjournment of the debate until the 1st of August, The House divided-For the

amendment, 55; against it, 26: the bill was consequently postponed.

Bill

The PROTECTION OF WOMEN passed through committee, having been amended by the limitation of its operation to women under twenty-one years of age.

The MARRIAGES BILL, for legalising marriage with a deceased wife's sister, was withdrawn by Mr. S. Wortley, as he saw that, this session, he could not carry it against its opponents; but he announced that, unless the heads of the Church took the matter into consideration, he would feel it his duty to bring in a bill of the same description in the course of next session.

July 24. The LEASEHOLD TENURE (IRELAND) Bill, the object of which was to convert perpetual leasehold tenure in Ireland into fee-simple, was opposed by Mr. Law, who moved that it should be committed on that day three months. The hon. gentleman represented the Irish Society of London, who complained that the bill would oust them from the control of their estates in the north of Ireland. -After a short conversation, Mr. Law withdrew his amendment, and the House went into committee; but he subsequently moved the addition of a clause to exempt the Society from the operation of the bill. The committee divided-For the clause, 10; against it, 88. The bill was then passed through committee.

Lord Ashley brought under the notice of the House the condition of a portion of the juvenile population of the metropolis, and moved:-"That it is expedient that means be annually provided for the voluntary emigration to some of her Majesty's colonies of a certain number of young persons of both sexes, who have been educated in the schools ordinarily called RAGGED SCHOOLS, in and about the metropolis.-Sir G. Grey thought the Ragged Schools were admirable institutions, and that all who were concerned in their support were entitled to the greatest credit; and he did not deny that great advantages might be derived from holding out emigration as a reward for good conduct in these schools; but the danger of establishing a premium for crime should not be overlooked, and the funds for emigration were insufficient to meet the

demands of honest people desirous of emigration.

July 25. The PROTECTION OF WOMEN Bill was read a third time after a division -For the bill, 65; against it, 22.

The bill for the consolidation of the BANKRUPTCY LAWS was considered in committee.-The Attorney-General gave a brief explanation of the general scope of the measure. The bill as it now stood was principally a consolidation of the old law. As it came from the Lords it contemplated several changes, such as the making of new offices, which the committee had struck out, being of opinion that if it were necessary to alter the constitution of the court, it ought to be done by a separate bill.

July 27. A question of privilege arose on the consideration of the Lords' Amendments to the Bill for the Amendment of

the IRISH POOR Law. The Speaker stated the rule was, that the Lords could deliberate and propose amendments on any bill sent up to them by this House, provided that they did not interfere with the amount or disposal of any rates, or with the persons who had to collect such rates. This rule had been strictly adhered to up to the time of the passing of the Irish Emancipation Bill of 1834, when a considerable infringement of these principles took place. The Irish poor-laws of 1838, and of 1847, also furnished opportunities for like infringement; and it was for the House to consider whether they would consent to accede to these precedents, and waive their privileges, or whether they would assert them.-Lord J. Russell suggested that in this case they should waive their privileges. If the House determined to assert its privileges, he should consider it hopeless to introduce any measure at all; for he could not undertake to introduce any bill which should not be open to amendment in the House of Lords.-After some more discussion, the House divided--For waiving privilege, 111; against it, 62. The consideration of the Lords' amendments was proceeded with in the evening sitting. Some were agreed to and some not, but the omission of the clauses fixing a maximum rate, struck out by the Lords, was agreed to.

July 28. Mr. Baillie said that, having had the honour to be chairman of the Ceylon and Guiana committee, he had been instructed to move that an humble address be presented to her Majesty for the royal permission that a commission should be appointed to inquire on the spot into the means taken for the suppression of the recent INSURRECTION IN CEYLON. The committee had great difficulties to

contend with from want of evidence, and after considering several propositions had decided on instructing him to make this motion.-Lord J. Russell objected to the appointment of a commission to inquire into the means taken to suppress an insurrection, as calculated to impair the authority of the persons entrusted with the functions of the Government. Не would be ready to meet it if Mr. Hume would, next session, move for a select committee in order to lay on the table of the House articles of impeachment against Lord Torrington.-The House dividedFor the motion, 33; against it, 90.

HOUSE OF LORDS.

July 26. The PILOTAGE Bill came on for second reading, and was opposed by the Duke of Wellington, who feared that it would prove injurious to the interests of the fellowship of Cinque Port pilots. He had been Warden of the Cinque Ports for twenty years. In the first ten, from 1829 to 1839, 3,800 ships on the average were brought into the river annually. In that period there were only twenty-two complaints of accident through the misconduct of pilots, and on inquiry it turned out that only nine had any foundation. In the second ten years there were only fourteen complaints, and of those only six were well founded. He could not see how any public advantage or pecuniary saving was to accrue from this measure, while it might have the effect of putting down our present efficient pilotage.-The Marquess of Lansdowne showed that the bill was only permissive, and did not interfere with any of the ancient jurisdictions.-The Earl of Ellenborough thought inquiry was necessary, and moved that the bill should be read a second time on that day three months.-The House divided-For the second reading, 15; against it, 10. The bill was then read a second time.

July 30. The Commons' amendments to the amendments made by their Lordships in the bill to amend the POOR-LAW in IRELAND were considered.-The Marquess of Lansdowne, in moving that the Commons' amendments should be adopted, said the House of Commons were entitled to thanks for giving up the maximum rate in deference to the opinion of that House, more especially as they considered that their peculiar privileges were involved in it; and he hoped that the moderation shown by them would be met by a corresponding feeling on the part of their lordships, and that they would adopt the amendments of the House of Commons on their amendments.-Lord Monteagle moved that the amendment restoring the