170 PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OF

given of the earilinal by historians docs not at all justify the culofjistic plirasos which fraternal atfoction has inscribed upon his tomb. The follow- inc: is the account given of him by Cromerus (De Orig"^ et Rebus gestis Pol'", p. 451) — " Fuit Federicus procera statura, aspectu decoro, ac dignitatis jdeno, ceterum ingenio nullo, iners, ignavo ocio crapulaj et assiduis compotationibus in fumo et sordibus cum grcgalibus suis quibus- dam marcescens, et ad extremum morbo Gallico confectus est, teste Mathia Mieclioviensi Medico. Unum illud nominis sui nionumentum in basilica Cracoviensi reliquit quod thecani calvai divi Stanislai martyris auream et niultis preciosis gemmis distinctani eontulit." — Stanislaus Sarnicius (Ann'". Pol'". Lib. VII. apud Dlugossi), suggests some excuse for his unworthy way of life in the following words: — " Erat Friderious aspectu decoro ac dignitatis pleno sed animi ma?rorc cito consenuit. Cruciabatur enim quod fortuna eum cum fratribus non a?quassct regies honores ei donegando. Idoo velut despondens aiiimum inertia3 sese dediderat, in con)potationibus turjii([uc luxu ac sordibus cum quibusdam suis marcescens. " As, however, he was the sixth son, and had elder brothers living at the time of his death, his vexation at his not having succeeded to the throne does not seem well founded. If, however, we are to suppose that there is any truth in this statement, the passage taken in conjunction with the third line of tiie epitaph — " Namque sacer culmen cardo venisset in altum," suggests the idea that his brother Sigismund may have boon accustomed to console him by placing bcToro him the prospect of a possible accession to the papacy. It is somewhat curious to remember that the grandfather of this prince of the church, although an European potentate in the fourteenth century, was a pagan up to the time of his marriage ; Jagjel, or .Tagollo, Duke of Lithuania, not having been converted to Christianity until his marriage witli Iledwiga, in 13SG. This memorial possesses some additional interest from its connection witli Sigismund, so distinguished a patron of letters and of arts, and himself a worker in metals, if the reliefs in silver over the altar of tho chapel built by him in the Cathedral of Cracow, which represent the events of the life of our Saviour, arc, as they are said to be, the work of his own hands. The Rev. Kdwaud Tuoi.i.orr, communicated an account of a Decorative Pavement originally in the church of St. Nieaise at Rlieims. (Given in this volume, p. 38.) iIr. Hawkins desired to call tho attention of the Institute to a subject which appeared of urgent importance, and in which every member of a society founded not Icsh for the conservation than the study of all national memorials, must feel a deep interest. There were many who shared with himself the feelings of regret and painful apprehension which the proposed IJill now before Parliament must unavoidably occasion, in contemplating tlio reckless destructi<»n and devastation of so many jiarish churches with tho cemeteries attached to them, converting the latter, according to tho arrangement cdutcmplated by some parties, into |)nblic gardens or places of recreation. Nti provision appeared to have been made for the preservation of monuments or inscriptions in these churches or their burial-grounds ; and whilst in many instances such memorials possess a considenible ariticiuiirian or hi.Htoricul interest, tlicir sacrilice, as in (ither