Archaeological Intelligence.
SAXON, OR EARLY NORMAN PERIOD.
Mr. John Dixon, of Manchester, forwarded a drawing of the base of Walton cross, with these remarks. "At a short distance from the village of Hartshead-cum-Clifton, Yorkshire, and near the road side leading to the once extensive Hartshead Moor, stands the base of Walton cross, a fine remain of Saxon workmanship. It is of elaborate design, and has a cavity for the insertion of a shaft: it is made from a single block of fine gritstone, 4 ft. 9 in. in height, 3 ft. 6in. in width, and 2 ft. 7 in. thick at the base. The top is 2 ft. 2 in. wide, by 1 ft. 11 in., and the cavity 11 in. in depth. The shaft is unfortunately lost. This interesting relic is still in a very perfect state of preservation."
PERIOD OF GOTHIC ART.
Mr. Edward Hoare, of Cork, has obligingly sent to the Committee, a lithographic drawing of another silver decade ring, lately added to his collection, of which a representation is annexed. Mr. Hoare remarks:—"these decade-rings are by no means common, though from time to time I have seen a very small number. I never met with them in any other metal than silver. It appears, so far as I have been able to obtain information as to their particular use, that they were worn by some classes of religious during the hours of repose, so that, on awaking during the night, they might repeat a certain number of prayers, marking them by the beads or knobs of the rings. I have also been told that they were used for the same purpose on passing by any "haunted spot," or supposed resort of evil spirits. If worn on any finger, except the thumb, at other periods of time than those of repose, it must have been as a sort of penance; and perhaps these rings were sometimes so used. The ring of which I send you a representation is plain, of rather rude workmanship, and has been much worn. It was dug up in the vicinity of this city (Cork) on the 29th October, 1847, not far from the site of an ancient monastery." Its weight is 2 dwts, 2 gr. A ring of similar character also in the cabinet of Mr. Hoare is described and engraved in this Journal, vol. ii. p. 198. It is not unusual, in England, to find rings of this description formed of base metal or brass, as well as of silver; several are preserved in Mr. Fitch's collection, and were exhibited in the temporary museum formed
