ARCHAEOLOGICAL INTELLIGENCE. 97 Mr. Deck exhibited a collection of keys of very early date, found at the liase of the walls of St. ]Iartin"s Prioiy, Dover, and a portion of one of the pillars of the Conventual Church, formed of stalactitic carbonate of lime, a kind of stone not to be obtained in this part of Europe. Its origin is, indeed, unknown, unless it were derived from Sicily. Professor Willis stated that the pavement of Canterbury Cathedral, prior to the fire in 1 174, was formed of the same stone. Amongst various presents to the Museum, was a relic of early British times, a fresh example of the Archaeological treasures concealed in the Cambridgeshire fens. It is a bronze sword, presented by J. T. Martin, Esq., and found in Qui Fen. It resembles one found in the Thames, (Akerman's Archaeol. Index, p. 53 ; the specimen of largest size). — C. C. B. BuKY AND West Suffolk ArchaeoloctIcal Institute. — The first annual meeting of this Society was held on March 8th, at the Guildhall, Bury, the Rev. Sir T. G. Cullum presiding. The report of the committee gave a most favourable statement of the progi'ess of the Society, and promise of increasing advantages from this energetic effort to give extension to Archaeological research in East Auglia. Three quarterly meetings, held at Bury and Clare, had been attended with full success, and the curious information communicated on these occasions, recorded in the first portion of a periodical publication of Transactions. During the present year it is proposed to hold similar meetings — at Ixworth in June, and at Thetford in September. At the meeting purposed to be held at Thetford, the Society anticipate a fraternal participation in their proceedings, on the part of the Antiquaries of Norfolk ; the Society of that county, whose meetings and publications have already contributed so much to Archaeology in East Anglia, having cordially responded to the invitation. Various donations and accessions to the Libraiy and Museum were announced. Numerous antiquities and drawings were exhibited by Mr. Tymms, the Rev. J. W. Donaldson, the Rev. H. Creed, and other gentlemen. A Histoiy of Clare, tlie result, in some measure, of the meeting which had been there held, was announced as preparing for publi- cation, by the Rev. Dr. Wightman. The first part of the Proceedings of the Society, published in January last, includes an interesting Memoir on the County of Clare, the origin of the Duchy of Clarence and Clarenceux King-at-Arms, by Mr. Donaldson. Mr. Tymms has appropriately added the histoiy of one of the most distinguished ladies connected with the Honour of Clare, Joanna of Acre, daughter of Edward I. The Number comprises also, an useful summary on the subject of Baptismal Fonts, by Mr. H. Porteous Cakes. The Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, established during the last year only, at Liverpool, by the exertions of Mr. Mayer, the Rev. Dr. Hume, and other persons distinguished by literary or antiquarian attainments, has already commenced the publication of the results of their proceedings. The formation of such an Institution is full of promise for Roman, had they been more fully informed Roman character. We .are not aware where iis to the objects discovered amongst the any hypoeaust of an age later than Roman ruins, apparently without any exception, of times exists. — Ed. VOL. VI.
