1S4; PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OP

It was finally suggested and determined that the Central Committee should request the Bishop of London to receive a deputation composed of influential members of the Institute, who should urgently solicit his conside- ration of the evils apprehended through this threatened sacrifice of so many consecrated sites, and the painful profanation of the resting-places of the dead by which it must be accompanied. The Rev. Dr. Todd gave an account of the recent discovery of a remark- able hoard of gold ornaments in the county Clare, in the course of railway operations. lie produced some of the most curious specimens, which had been acquired for the collection of the Royal Irish Academy, presenting certain uimsual features, and valuable as additions to the series of ancient ornaments intended ajiparently to be worn as collars or gorgets. The precise spot, he remarked, where the discovery had occurred, had not been ascertained, and a small part only of the treasure had been produced. In this, as in too many cases, the apprehension of the claims of " treasure- trove" had rendered it impracticable to preserve the evidence of essential value for the purposes of science. Such discoveries in Ireland, are usually attended with much mystery, and the relics hastily condemned to the crucible ; in the present instance, Dr. Todd had reason to believe that the mass of treasure found had been very great ; but the greater portion had been sold to a jeweller in Limerick and immediately melted down. The unusual forms presented by the few pieces which he was enabled to lay before the Meeting, must cause great regret that the entire hoard had not been examined by some antiquary competent to make a selection of the novel types. The ornaments consisted chiefly, as it is believed, of massive gold armlets with dilated or cup-shaped terminations ; three examples of these were exhibited, as also two remarkable ol)jects of thin gold plate, which may have been worn upon tlie neck ; these are of novel types. Mr. Hawkins made some observations on the serious injuries in regard to the advance of science constantly experienced from apprehension on the part of the finders of being compelled to give up the treasure, and he observed that the successful results which had attended the more liberal rcffulations introduced in Denmark claimed the serious consideration of government. Mr. Clayton', of Newcastle, stated certain facts which had occurred in tlie Nortli, showing the prejudicial results which arise from the existing law ; and the Rev. John Vi:i!I! ollered some remarks to the same ctiect, citirig, especiall}', an important discovery of Roman gold coins in Worces- tershire, of which the greater portion had been speedily sold at Evesham, lie observed that the fact seemed worthy of note, in connection with a (juestion of so nuich moment to archaeologists, that the gallant career of Richard Cfcur de Lion had been brought to an untimely end at Chaluz, through his determination to enforce this feudal claim. Mr. Hawkin.s gave an account of the recent discovery of a mosaic pave- ment on tlio site of the Kxcise Office, Old Inroad Street. iVi.shopsgate. The floor in its perfect state had measured not Ii-hs than I'S ft. scpuire ; the central subject appeared to be Ariadne seated on a panther, anil the accompanying designs are of a liacchanalian character, suggesting the sup- pcjhition that th(J pavement had decorated a bancpu'ting chamber. The work i.s of line character, and Mr. Hawkins Inid entertained the lio|)(> that tluH pavement might have been olilaincd for the I'.ritish Museum, where a good example of mosaic work wuuld furm a valuable accession to the col-