the method he had adopted for marking the orientation accurately. He pointed out some remarkable instances in which the churches of Cambridge confirmed the suggestion thrown out by the Society, of the chancel of most churches pointing to that part of the east where the sun rises upon the day of the saint in whose honour the church is dedicated.

The Rev. P. Freeman, M.A. of St. Peter's college, read an account of the gradual progress of the restoration of the church of the Holy Sepulchre in Cambridge, from the time of its being first placed in the hands of the Society.

Adjourned to February 13.

OXFORD ARCHITECTURAL SOCIETY. Nov. 29. Dr. Richards, the rector of Exeter college, read a paper on the history and origin of rural deaneries in England, and on some of the duties of the office of rural dean, with especial reference to the deanery of Woodstock, of which an account is about to be published by the society in their "Guide to the Architectural Antiquities in the neigh bourhood of Oxford." He shewed that the office of rural dean was in use in England in the eleventh century, and in the Christian Church as early as the sixth century; that the probable origin of the name was, that this officer originally presided over ten parishes, although in the subsequent increase of parishes, and the union of two or three deaneries into one, this origin has been almost forgotten. One great use of the office at the present day, is, to prevent further mischief being done to our churches; and, as no alteration can be made without the consent of the ordinary, the rural dean may, by an appeal to him, prevent the introduction of galleries, the conversion of open benches in close pews, the removal of screens, &c. ; but that for the restoration of our churches to a decent state where the mischief has been already perpetrated, he must rely rather on persuasion, repeated admonitions, and appeals to the better feelings of the parties interested, than on the expensive processes of ecclesiastical law. In his own deanery, great credit is due to the incumbent and parishioners of Steeple Aston for the very beautiful restoration of their church; which he referred to also as a successful instance of the introduction of open benches throughout the church. The manner in which it has been effected was also very creditable to Mr. Plowman, the architect. Much credit is also due to the incumbent of Cassington, for his zealous efforts to effect the same object, though he had been but ill seconded in general by the

parishioners. The churches in this deanery are not generally what would be called fine churches, although perhaps Kidlington, Handborough, and Stanton Harcourt, might deserve that distinction; but almost all of them are ancient, and possess features of interest, and are worthy the attention of the architectural student.

The secretary then read a description of the supposed Anglo-Saxon church of Corhampton, Hants, communicated by the Rev. C. Walters, M.A.; and illustrated by plans, details, and elevations, drawn by Mr. Alfred Vaughan Walters; with an introductory essay on the supposed Saxon style, which he supported with the usual arguments and extracts from Bentham. Corhampton church is a very good specimen of this class of buildings, having the long-and-short work very clearly developed; the pilaster-strips of stone projecting from the surface, as if in imitation of timber-work; singular rude imposts; bases of universal form, unlike Norman; and a curious consecration cross, similar to that at Warnford,. which appears there to have been preserved from the original church built by Wilfred.

Mr. Freeman, of Trinity College, read some extracts from Godwin's Lives of the Bishops, mentioning churches in the Saxon times in such a manner as to shew they were of wood. He thought, however, that in Northamptonshire, from the abundance of stone, they used that material in preference, and inquired whether Brixworth was not acknowledged to be prior to the Conquest.

The principal of Brasenose observed, that the churches of Northamptonshire are not generally built of the stone of the country, but of stone brought from some distance, such as Ketton. He had been one of a party who had carefully examined Brixworth church, and, although they found some Roman materials, the church had evidently been reconstructed, and there did not appear any decided character in the building itself to shew that this reconstruction had been made prior to the Norman times; he did not give this as his own opinion so much as that of others, much better able to judge from their greater experience and opportunities of observation.

The secretary read some extracts, to shew that the Saxon buildings were of wood, even in cases where we should have naturally expected them to use stone, if any where; as at Shrewsbury, the church built by Siward, the cousin of Edward the Confessor, which is expressly mentioned by Orderic Vital, whose father commenced a stone church on the site in 1082. He

also mentioned instances to shew that nearly all the features usually said to be characteristic of the Saxon style, are to be found in Norman work, and often much later; long and short work is used in the jambs of windows, &c. occasionally at all periods, from Norman, as at Syston, Lincolnshire, to late Perpendicular, as at Copstock, Suffolk, and Eyzey, near Cricklade, Wilts; and even in modern buildings the same mode of construction is sometimes used. The triangular-headed openings are found in Norman work, at Norwich, Hadiscoe, Norfolk, and Herringfleet, Suffolk; in early English work, at Blackland, Wilts, and Hereford Cathe dral; in Perpendicular work, at Goodnestone, near Wingham, Kent. The absence of buttresses is no pecular feature; many churches of all the styles are with

out buttresses. The peculiarity of the balustre in windows is overturned by Tewkesbury and St. Alban's. Mr. Sydney Smirke, after a very careful examination of the masonry of Westminster Hall, the work of William Rufus, observes that, if we find masonry of so rude a character in the principal hall of the royal palace, we may safely assume that at this period good and experienced masons were wanting. He did not mean to assert that there are no Saxon remains, but that the features said to be characteristic of a Saxon style are not to be relied on.

Mr. James Park Harrison, of Christchurch, made some observations in support of the Saxon theory, and relied much on the construction, which in the best specimens of that style is rather that of carpenters than of masons.

SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES. Dec. 7. Lord Viscount Mahon, V.P. J. Y. Akerman, esq. communicated an account of various relics discovered at Roundway Down, near Devizes, on the estates of E. F. Colston, esq. At the depth of seven feet a skeleton was found in the remains of a wooden cist, which had been bound with iron. Various curious articles of jewellery were disinterred.

Samuel Birch, esq. communicated some observations on an Etruscan vase in the British Museum, representing a myth of Hercules and Juno.

Sir Henry Ellis, Sec. read some instructions of the Privy Council, dated June 26, 1600, addressed to the Lord Treasurer and the Lord Admiral as Lieutenants of the county of Sussex, for the levy of fifty men for service in Ireland, of whom 12 were to be armed with pikes, 6 with bills, 6 with muskets, 6 with bastard muskets, and 20 with calivers, and all provided with swords and daggers. Earnest admonition was given both for the provision of better men and better arms and clothing than had been customary; and, because many men had been known previously to run away, or be exchanged, on the maroh, they were to be conducted by men charged by the county as far as Chester, where captains were appointed to receive them.

Dec. 14. W. R. Hamilton, esq. V.P. William Dixon, esq. of Alnwick, Clerk of the Peace for Northumberland, was elected a Fellow of the Society.

Jabez Allies, esq. made a communication respecting various antiquities discovered in Worcestershire.

Philip Howard, esq. of Corby, communicated some account of the recent opening of the monuments of the Howards in the church of Framlingham, Suffolk; ascertaining that the bodies interred were removed, together with the tombs, from the priory of Thetford after the dissolution. The remains found are supposed to be those of the third Duke of Norfolk and his wife, of the poet Earl of Surrey, of. his brother-in-law the Duke of Richmond (natural son of Henry VIII.) and his Countess, and some others.

Studley Martin, esq. communicated an account of the discovery of a sepulchral urn in Lancashire.

George Stevens, esq. presented a versified and alliterative translation of "The Phoenix, the king of birds," one of the Anglo-Saxon poems contained in the Exeter Book.

Dec. 21. Mr. Hamilton in the chair,

Mr. C. R. Smith communicated a notice of some Roman remains recently found near Boulogne, in a locality identified as the site of a cemetery appertaining to the ancient town Gessoriacum. Mr. Smith exhibited several urns, bracelets, fibulæ, a glass vessel, lamps, and coins of Claudius, Vespasian, Gordian, Postumus, and Tetricus. On one of the small vases in red earth was scratched the word CASTA. appears that this ancient burial place has furnished an immense quantity of antiquities, among which glass vases of a variety of elegant patterns hold a conspicuous place. There were also found some coffins in lead, examples of which, Mr. Smith stated, had also been found at

It

Father Hyacinth Butshurin, who was many years a member of the Russian establishment at Pekin, has, in a late number of "The National Memoirs," produced much novel information on the subject of the construction of the celebrated "wall." He controverts the opinion, prevalent among Europeans, that this extensive work, which stretches from the Gulf of Corea westward to the fortress of Zyayui-quin, is wholly built of stone, and has existed, without any essential decay or injury, for thirty centuries; and he shows that there are no grounds whatever for the assertion. The design of protecting the frontiers of the empire with walls was conceived in the fourth century before the birth of Christ, at a time when the territory within the wall, or what now constitutes China Proper, was parcelled out into seven distinct sovereignties, many of their princes adopting the system of defending themselves against the inroads of their rivals by erecting walls along their frontiers. Father Hyacinth quotes many instances in point from the records of that age, and observes, that remains of these defences are still found in the interior of China. The system was afterwards adhered to and extended, but the material used was usually what the Chinese call "beaten earth," not stone.

In the course of time, however, the walls so constructed have almost crumbled away; nor does it appear probable that war has had much to do with their decay; they seem to have been levelled, if not by the effects of rain and storms, by the appliance of the ploughshare.

When the Mongolians of Tshachar and Odos infested the northern borders of China in the middle of the fifteenth century, the ruling powers set about the restoration of the wall in that direction, rebuilt that portion of it which extends from Da-tchan-fie westwards to Byan

tsheu-guan, a distance of 600 li, (about 214 miles), and in the year 1546 renovated a further portion of 300 li, though in what precise quarter is not specified. In the following year the great wall in the province of Datchanfu was erected. Although Chinese history gives no information respecting the further extension of the wall to the Gulf of Corea, no doubt can exist that the great wall now existing between Shanehaiquau Shopchinfu in Tshi-li, which is faced with stone and bricks, was constructed anew under the Ming dynasty; for it is not possible that the barrier of earth thrown up in the sixth century should have remained entire until the fifteenth. The great wall stretching from Shopchinfu in a westerly direction, is 3950 li (1410 miles) in length, and was built in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Part of this chain, which extends from Shopchinfu southwards, and thence to the north-east, as far as Lake Chuamatshi, was constructed in the year 1472; but the majority of the military colonists, who are appointed_to_guard the Chinese border, having fixed upon the northern side of the wall for their agricultural settlements, the foundation of the existing wall was laid in 1504, and the earlier line of defence was thenceforth designated the second wall;" similar duplications of walls are to be met with in other provinces, for instance, in Lyantshenfu. The facing of the ancient walls of earth with bricks and granite was begun in the fifteenth century; this, therefore, is the true date of all the lines so faced.

From the western borders of the province of Tshili the wall thence takes a westerly direction through the province of Sunsi, is built of beaten loam, without any facing, of inconsiderable width, and not more than five feet in height; further onwards, namely, from Sun-si to Shan-si, the Hoang-ho or Yellow River forms the frontier defence instead of the great wall, and is protected by isolated posts: beyond this, still in a westerly direction, the wall is low and narrow, buried in sand where sandy plains occur, and in other places completely levelled; the only exception being in Sutshen, near the fortress of Zyayui-quin, where it is in a good state of preservation. It may be remarked, that the walls of this fortress itself are not built even of bricks, but of compressed earth. Lower down towards the south, no defence fit to be termed a wall exists; the only approximation to it is a ditch, provided at certain points with a better kind of wall.

FRANCE.

The affairs of Spain give great uneasiness to the French Government. M. Bresson, the

There are to be two Chambers,-namely,

a Senate and á Chamber of Deputies; and the country is to be divided into ten pro

Bayonne on his way to Madrid, has been stopped, until more is known as to the turn affairs are likely to take. The increased zeal of the French Legitimists in London, in apparently recognizing the Duke of Bordeaux as King of France, has also created uneasiness. The application of the Duke d'Aumale for the hand of the Princess Marie Terese, sister of the King of the Two Sicilies, has been accepted. The French Mint has struck a very fine medal in commemoration of the visit of Queen Victoria to France. The foreign trade of France has diminished considerably. The subscriptions for the sufferers by the late earthquake at Guadaloupe amount to about 1,200,000%.

SPAIN.

Olozaga has been dismissed from the Premiership, which has been followed by the breaking up of the whole of the Cabinet. A very serious offence is alleged against the late Premier-no less than his having, on the 28th of November, rudely and forcibly compelled the young Queen to sign a decree for the dissolution of the Cortes. Her Majesty's statement, delivered in the presence of the National Notary, was laid before the house on the 30th. Olozaga indignantly denies the truth of the allegation, and says that the story is trumped up by a cabal which existed in the palace, at the head of which are certain notables backed by General Narvaez, whose object, Olozaga says, is to render themselves masters of Spain, and to marry the Queen to the eldest son of Don Carlos. The conduct of the exPremier has the appearance of openness and candour, and his demand to be put upon his trial speaks much in his favour. Gonzales Bravo, who has been selected to form a Moderado ministry, has succeded in his object. An affray has taken place in Madrid in consequence of some individuals shouting "Espartero for ever! " The troops were called out, and some few persons were killed and wounded before order was restored.

tors from a triple list of deputies. The King has opened the General Assembly, and enjoined on all parties mutual concessions in forming the definitive Constitution of the country.

SICILY.

The

An eruption of Mount Etna has lately taken place. The mountain had been for clouds; some rumblings were heard at some days heavily capped with dense times resembling distant thunder; and many persons, especially on the west side, near Bronte, imagined they felt at intermidnight, on Saturday the 19th Nov. vals slight shocks of earthquakes. About several violent explosions were heard, and fire was soon seen to ascend from near the mouth of the old crater. stream of lava gradually increased in extent, and took a course towards the town of Bronte; luckily a few hillocks to its left served to turn the direction, which then flowed on towards the post-road to Palermo, having attained the destructive breadth of upwards of two miles; the sight is awfully grand and beautiful, yet terrific beyond description. It bids fair to be the most magnificent eruption of the last century. As yet its damages have been confined to a few houses and vineyards, and a large paper manufactory.

INDIA.

The Punjaub remains in a state of anarchy. Dhuleep Singh, described as a son of one of Runjeet's wives, only seven and Heera Singh acts as Prime Minister; years of age, is still the nominal Raja, but the uncles of the latter are dissatisfied Singh, with an army of 25,000 men, was with the new arrangement, and Ghoola marching upon Lahore, where a serious contest was anticipated. Lord Ellenborough has ordered an army of 36,000 men to assemble on the Sikh frontier, to prevent any aggression on British territory, and to watch forthcoming events.

Dost Mahomed, though not very popular at Cabul, is making preparations, it is said, for a movement upon Peshawur; and, unless the English government interfere, would in a short time recover possession of that territory, which had been conquered by Runjeet Singh.

M

Dewan Sawun Mull, the chief of Moultan, was murdered about the time the horrible assassinations took place at Lahore.

The utmost tranquillity prevails in Sinde, a good proof that the people are content with the new government; Sir Charles Napier remaining at Kurrachee. The treasure taken at Hyderabad has been brought to Bombay; it amounts to about 700,0007.

CHINA.

The Chinese Government continue to respect the treaty, and affairs go on peaceably. The state of trade at Hong Kong does not appear to be satisfactory at present, and sickness still prevails there. The smuggling of opium still continues, though not sanctioned by the British. The Bogue forts are rebuilt in nearly the same state as before. The Chinese Government has claimed four millions of dollars from the Hong merchants as a contribution on account of the Canton ransom. The Emperor has issued several proclamations, exhibiting a wish to protect "the foreign barbari. ans," and to punish those who maltreated the sailors shipwrecked in the Nerbudda and Anne in the beginning of 1842.

the intercession of Captain Harris, late Ambassador to Abyssinia, whilst hundreds of doomed Pagan prisoners, taken in the bloody forays witnessed by the British Embassy, were set at large through the same mediation. Several members of the Royal house of Shoa, and Princes of the blood, whom a barbarous policy has, since the days of Solomon, doomed to chains and a living grave, have been liberated.

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

The Anglo-Dutch farmers at Natal have submitted to the British Government. Major Smith has taken possession of Pietermauritzberg, and begun to erect a fortification there. Trade has been opened between Natal and the Cape Colony. The discretion and zeal of Commissioner Cloete, in bringing about this satisfactory conclusion of troublesome hostilities, are highly commended.

SANDWICH ISLANDS.

Adiniral Thomas has formally restored Islands, with the sovereignty of them, to King Kamehamea III. the Sandwich which that Prince had given over to the Queen of England by the hands of Lord George Paulet.

ALGERIA.

General Tempoure attacked the camp of the Caliph Sidi Embarack-ben-Allah, on the 11th Nov. at Mallah, a place forty leagues to the west of Mascarah. This chief, who was on his way to join Abdel-Kader, is described as only second to

which consisted of several battalions of the latter in importance. His army, infantry and a regiment of cavalry, was Sidi Embarack himentirely destroyed. self was killed, with 400 of his men ; taken. It is said that the pretext for in300 prisoners, and three standards were vading Tunis and Morocco has at length been afforded in the shelter offered in those States to Abd-el-Kader and his followers.

Nov. 23. The manor and township of Aston Grange, in the county of Chester, was this day sold by auction to Sir Arthur Aston, G. C.B. of Aston, late Ambassador to Spain, for 22,1007. independent of the timber. It was the property of Sir Richard Brooke, Bart. and was sold by him in consequence of a recent purchase of the manor of Kekewich in the same county, for which he has given 35,000l.

Nov. 28. The Queen and Prince Al.

bert left Windsor Castle on a visit to Sir Robert Peel at Drayton Manor. They joined the Birmingham Railway at the Watford station, and were received at the Tamworth station by Sir Robert Peel. Lady Peel received her Majesty at the entrance of Drayton Manor: where the dinner party consisted of twenty-one persons, including the Duke of Rutland, the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch, the Earl of Jersey, Lady Portman, &c. the following day the Queen Dowager

On