Sir William Betham, in reference to certain portions of Mr. Deane's paper, observed that it was very gratifying to trace a progress towards truth by the examination of these ancient remains. It was not long since, that any one presuming to think they were sepulchral, would have been laughed at. Many which had generally been considered as altars, modern researches have proved to be sepulchral monuments. To this class he also referred the well-known round towers of Ireland.
Mr. C. Roach Smith read an account by Mr. Thomas Bateman, jun., of the opening of barrows in the vicinity of Bakewell, in Derbyshire; illustrated by drawings, and an exhibition of objects discovered.
The meeting then adjourned to Barnes's rooms, where a conversazione was held. The tables were covered with an interesting variety of antiquities, which from their nature could have been only imperfectly inspected at the sectional meeting. Around the walls were suspended numerous well-executed rubbings of brasses, executed by Mr. Sprague of Colchester, and by Mr. Richardson of Greenwich; the latter by a new process and peculiar composition, exhibiting perfect fac-similes, in colour as well as in form, of the brasses themselves. Among other articles exhibited were beautiful specimens of carved ornaments, in wood, executed by the newly-invented process of Mr. Pratt, of New Bond-street.
Mr. E. J. Carlos exhibited rubbings of the brass of Thomas Cod, vicar of St. Margaret's church, Rochester, in a perfect state. The entire restoration has been effected with great difficulty, on account of the thinness of the metal. It has been surmised that both sides of this brass represent the same individual, but Mr. Carlos has reason to believe that the reverse side is of earlier date than the other.
Mr. Edward Pretty, of Northampton, exhibited a coloured drawing of a painting on the wall of Lenham church, in Kent, representing a nimbed angel weighing souls; one is in the lower scale praying to the Virgin Mary, who is throwing a rosary upon the beam to give weight to the scale; her right hand is raised, as bestowing a blessing, or interceding for the good soul. The other scale, which is upraised, has two devils or evil spirits, using every exertion to pull down the scale, and another imp is seated on the upper part of the beam with a soul in his hand, and blowing a horn. There has been an inscription underneath the figures. Mr. Pretty also forwarded drawings of an ancient house, and of the lich-gate at Lenham, with sketches of the Druidical monument at Coldrum, near Trotterscliffe, and of Goddard's Castle.
Lord Albert Conyngham exhibited some ancient gold ornaments found in Ireland, and a variety of amethystine beads, fibulæ, and other objects, chiefly from barrows on Breach Downs opened by his lordship.
Mr. Frederic Dixon, of Worthing, exhibited a pair of bronze torques, with other remains found near Worthing.
