measured, and were found to be 52 thousandths of an inch in diameter, in their natural state.

Dr. Hume exhibited a portable Gyroscope, lent for the purpose by Mr. Chadburn of Lord street, and drew attention to the various motions of which it was susceptible. He also explained to the meeting the scientific* principles which were thus ilustrated. Mr. H. Meeson, on the part of Mr. Agnew, of Manchester, laid before the Society a selection of sixteen Photographs, from the series of Fenton's Crimean Illustrations. They consisted of six portraits of Generals, and ten Landscapes and Groups, in and near Balaclava.

The following Paper was then read :

DESCRIPTION OF A PATENT ABACUS. By J. Gregory Jones, Esq.

This Abacus was invented and patented by Mr. Jones, who is one of the officers of the Collegiate Institution. It was placed in the meeting-room. The object of it is to familiarize the pupils of our Schools with the operations of Addition; and thus to save the time of both teacher and pupils, or to afford greater leisure for the explanation of principles. By the simple movement of a slide, a vast number of combinations can be obtained, each of which may be distinguished with facility, by a number, for reference to a printed Key. This states the correct sum of every arrangement of columns of figures, and thus affords an easy means of comparing the result which the pupil produces. The practical mode of using the instrument was shewn; and some of those to whom its use had been familiar, displayed great celerity and accuracy in the process of adding.

6th December, 1855. ARCHEOLOGICAL SECTION.

SAMUEL GATH, Esq., in the Chair.

The following gentlemen were duly elected members of the Society :

William Allcard, Esq., Bank House, Warrington.

Edward Batty, Esq., 34, Stafford Street.

J. Black, M.D., F.G.S., Southport.

John Bowes, Esq., Warrington.

F. Crace Calvert, F.C.S., &c., Royal Institution, Manchester.
James L. Crosse, Esq., 6, Sandon Terrace.

Edward Estill, Esq., Orange Court, Castle Street.

David Johnson Macfie, Esq., Bachelor Street, Dale Street.

John Newton, Esq., 15, West Derby Street.

William R. Sandbach, Esq., Bank Buildings, Cook Street.

John R. Shawe, Esq., Arrowe, Woodchurch, Cheshire.

George F. Wilson, F.R.S., F.S.S., Belmont, Vauxhall, London.

The following Donations were laid upon the table :

From the Institute. The Archæological Journal, published under the direction of the Central Committee of the Archæological Institute; volumes VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, and parts 1 and 2 of volume XII.

*These experiments were exhibited by M. Foucault, the inventor, at the Meeting of the British Association at Liverpool; and an account of them is given in the Report for that Meeting, Proceedings, p. 56, under the title "Nouvelles Experiences sur le Mouvement de la Terre au Moyen du Gyroscope." An account is also given in the Comptes Rendus de l'Académie des Sciences. On March 12th, 1855, the nature of these experiments was explained at the Ashmolean Society, Oxford, by the Rev. Robert Walker, M.A., Reader in Experimental Philosophy. Allusion was also made to them by the President, Lord Wrottesley, at the Anniversary Meeting of the Royal Society, November 30th, 1855, in presenting the Copley Medal to M. Foucault.-Proceedings of the Royal Society, volume vii, p. 574.

From the Cambrian Archæological Association. Archæologia Cambrensis, for July and October, 1855. Third series, Nos. 3 and 4.

From the Author. British Antiquities; their present treatment and their real claims, by A. H. Rhind, F.S.A. London and Scotland. Pamph., 1855.

From the Editor. Parallel Passages from two Tales, elucidating the origin of the Plot of Guy Mannering, edited by Gilbert James French, Corr. F.S.A., Scot., and printed for presentation. Pamph., 1855.

From the Rev. P. S. Dale, M.A. Thirteen Pamphlets, principally from the earlier press of Liverpool, consisting of the following:

The Dispensary, a Poem, by James Clarke; Liverpool, 1783. A Sermon, preached before the Mayor and Corporation, at St. George's Church, Liverpool, by the Rev. Samuel Renshaw, M.A.; London, 1793. Miscellany Poems on moral subjects; Chester, 1750. A Sermon preached at the Assizes held at Lancaster, 19th August, 1787, by the Rev. Thomas Wilson, of Clitheroe, author of the Archæological Dictionary; Leeds, 1797. Christian Knowledge and Universal Privilege, a Sermon preached at the opening of the Warrington Blue Coat School, by the Rev. Edw. Owen, M A.; Warrington, 1779. A Charge delivered to the Clergy in the Diocese of Chester, in 1814, by Geo. H. Law, D.D., Bishop; Chester, 1814. Assize Sermon preached at York, by the Rev. John Vause, M.A.; Liverpool, 1811. Commencement Sermon at Cambridge, by Law, Prebendary of Carlisle, July 1, 1804. Charge delivered to the Clergy of the Diocese of Chester at the primary Visitation, 1825, by C. J. Blomfield, D.D., Bishop; London, 1825. Remarks on Mr. Lancaster's System of Education, by William Fell, Teacher, Warrington; London, 1811. Pastoral Thoughts on the Aspect of the Times, in four Sermons, preached at St. George's, Everton, by the Rev. P. Buddicom, M.A., F.S.A.; London, 1830. Three Sermons on Article xvii of the Church of England by the Rev. Edward Hull, M.A.; Liverpool, 1821. A Sermon preached at Wigan Church, and published by request; Liverpool, 1753.

Dr. Hume exhibited a gutta percha impression of a leaden seal, found at Nantwich, in Cheshire, in May last. The original was about six feet beneath the surface of the Crown Inn yard. It is now in the possession of Mr. H. Ecroyd Smith, author of the Reliquiæ Isurianæ. The legend is SIGILL SIMONIS FIL RAN (ulfi).

Dr. Hume also drew the attention of the Society to some numbers of the Illustrated Sydney News, which seemed to have been of great interest as an exposition of Colonial life. The 90th and concluding number contained three Australian scenes, and four illustrations of native Zoology.

An ancient vase was handed round for inspection, the property of Valentine Bird, M.D., of Seacombe. It was found in South America, in the excavations for the Lima and Arica Railway, and contained human bones in a state of great preservation.

Mr. Mayer exhibited an elaborately-made Tea Caddy of the usual form, but very large. The ground work is wood, over which is laid in mosaic work a variety of patterns in squares and stars, and amongst the rest are masonic emblems-the level, rule, compasses, pillars, sun, moon, &c. On the panel in the front are two subjects in engraving from copper plates, one representing the fable of the bundle of sticks, and the other a jolly looking landlord, whose appearance shews that he has paid attention to creature comforts, some of which surround him, whilst he is very anxiously watching the tap of a large hogshead of ale which is running into one of the brown jugs of the day. The whole of the ornaments are composed of pottery work, and display great ingenuity in the adjustment of the pieces and the arrangement of the colours. Probably all which were then known are displayed; they thus shew in an interesting manner the state of the manufacture of earthenware in Liverpool about 1780.

Mr. Mayer also exhibited an Ivory Comb measuring 7 inches long by 5 broad. It is of the usual form, of the large medieval specimens preserved in the cabinets of

antiquaries. The teeth are placed on each side, and are 1 inch long; those on one side are extremely heavy and thick. At each end of the teeth are compartments filled with scrolls and flowers. Extending the whole length of the centres are two subjects in high relief, one of them representing a hunting scene, and the other a hawking scene. From the costumes it is thought to have been made about the period of Mary Queen of Scots.

Mr. Gray exhibited a copy of Hogg's Queen's Wake, which had been presented by the author to his nephew, Mr. James Gray. It was interesting from containing in the margin an autograph key to the modern poets, indicated under the bardic titles. Mr. Gray exhibited with this, the Album of Miss M. A. Browne, (the late Mrs. James Gray), containing original poems and drawings of great interest; also a volume of MS. letters from the various literary persons with whom she had been in correspondence, including many from Miss Mitford, Mrs. Hofland, &c.

This was the edition of 1822, which contained numerous additions to the original Poem. The following are the principal persons indicated, and the respective descriptions of them :1st Bard-DAVID RIZZIO.

"The stranger youth,

The gaudy minstrel of the south,

Whose glossy eye and lady form

Had never brav'd the northern storm."

8th Bard-Mr. WM. TENNANT, Author of "Anster Fair," afterwards Professor in the University of St. Andrews.

9th Bard-PROFESSOR WILSON.

"His locks were fair as sunny sky,
His cheek was ruddy, bright his eye,
His speech was like the music's voice
Mixed with the cataract's swaying noise;
His harp strings sounded wild and deep,
With lulling swell and lordly sweep."

10th Bard-"The Author, JAMES HOGG."

"The Bard on Ettrick's mountain-green
In nature's bosom nursed had been."

15th Bard-"The Rev. JAMES GRAY, afterwards my brother-in-law.-J. H."

"The next was bred on southern shore,
Beneath the mists of Lammermore.

Mr. Mayer read the following transcript of a letter, the original of which is in the possession of J. Y. Akerman, Esq., Sec. S.A. It was written by Cornet Pease to his brother-in-law, Captain Adam Baynes, of the Parliamentary Army. The brother Richard mentioned in the postscript, was a Captain Richard Pease, also a Roundhead officer. The letter alludes to the unfortunate termination of Sir George Booth's rising in favour of Charles II.

I suppose ere this you have an acct of the the (sic) great victory obtained with little bloodshed upon Friday last. This day Chester was surrendered to my Lord Lambert without any termes but his own, some of the enimyes horse went hence last night and this morning to the number of 300 to chirt castle in Wales under the comand of St Thomas Middleton, the owner of it, to which place our Troope and 3 more of my Lds Regimt & some foote are marchs this afternoone, tomorrow god willing I purpose to be with them, they by this night at Rixam. La Kilmurrey, S Will. Neale and many other persons of quality are taken, I desire you will please to prsent my choyce respects to all your sweet babyes and my dear sister & all friends & accept the same yourselfe

Dr Devevier is here and presents his respects to you and yors pray remember me to Bro. Richard and his wife if they be in towne.

Mr. Gray exhibited an interesting portrait of Milton, apparently of the date 1650 to 1670, painted within the separable sides of a Spanish dollar.

In illustration of his Paper to be read, Mr. Stonehouse exhibited a view of Dalton Castle, and a plan of the Pile of Fouldrey. Mr. H. Johnson also exhibited specimens of Iron Ore from Cleator, near Whitehaven.

The Secretary announced that a room had been taken for the reception of the Society's Library and Museum, at No. 57, Ranelagh Street.

The following Paper was then read :—

A DAY IN LOW FURNESS. (Abridged.) By James Stonehouse.

The districts of High and Low Furness abound with objects of interest, in which the antiquarian, the geologist, the botanist, and the artist, would delight. Low Furness is bounded by High Furness on the north, by the Leven river and Morecambe Bay on the east, by the Irish Sea on the south, and by the Duddon river on the west. The boundary line between High and Low Furness may be drawn from Aldingham on the Leven to Kirkby Ireleth on the Duddon. Furness was conquered by Agricola in his second campaign, A.D. 79, and it is said that at Dalton there was a Roman Station. The Romans made a road through Furness, remains of which were first discovered in March, 1774, near Mountbarrow House, and under Bardsea park wall another portion of it was found. In 1813, an ancient road, paved with large stones, was met with at the head of Goldmire. It would seem, therefore, that the Romans entered Furness by Conishead, whence their road proceeded to Thornwest, through Streetgate, to the place where it joins the new turnpike road to Ulverstone. Hence its direction is by Lindell to Dalton. At the cross at Dalton it turns up Scalegate to Duddon Sands.

After the Romans, the Britons occupied the country; the Danes succeeded, as the numerous Danish words still prevalent in the vicinity shew. Next the Saxons, who were followed by the Normans. Though the name of Furness is not mentioned in Doomsday Survey, yet numerous places in it are set down, as well as the owners * Some letters of this individual will be found in the Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries.

of lands, and the extent of territory held by each. It was in a highly cultivated state, as the Survey states that sixty ploughs were owned by the chieftains and their tenants.

We first visit Walney Island, about ten miles long by one in breadth. It contains two hamlets, North Scale and Bigger, and between them is a small Chapel of Ease to Dalton. At Bigger there is an ancient dike, constructed originally by the monks of Furness, with great care, to ward off the sea. It is a mile in length, with a foot walk on the top. There are other dikes, which the islanders are obliged to keep in repair, as they hold their lands on the condition that if any are destroyed by the sea, the remainder must pay the rent of those which have disappeared, as well as their own. The sea broke over in 1774, and in 1796, and occasionally since. About fifty years ago, some curiously shaped cannons and other war implements were discovered, cast on the island probably from a wreck, in the time of Richard II.

There is a revolving light on the south end of the island. From Walney we proceed to Fouldrey, where is the fortress known as the Pile of Fouldrey Castle, constructed (Camden) about 1327, as a refuge for the monks of Furness in time of need. The published views of this ruin do not convey the best idea of what it is like. Fouldrey island has to a great extent been washed away. The castle covered about three acres, and consisted of a keep or central tower, an inner wall, a moat, now nearly filled up through lapse of time, and an outer wall. The ruins are curious, and deserve a detailed examination. Lambert Simnel landed here in 1487, and proceeded thence to Swarthmoor and Cartmel, whence he marched to Stoke-on-Trent. Of the Furness gentry he was joined by Sir Thomas Broughton, who was killed in the battle, or disappeared. Mr. Roby founds a story on this circumstance in his "Traditions of Lancashire." From the Pile of Fouldrey we proceed to Furness Abbey, which is four miles distant from the railway station on Roe Island. The ruins are said to stand on sixty-five acres of ground, and are situated in a glen called Beckansgill, or the glen of the deadly nightshade. The abbey, dedicated to St. Mary, was founded on the nones of July, 1127, by Cistercian monks, with Ewan, their first abbot. It was second in importance only to Fountains in Studley Park. At the dissolution in 1537, it had a revenue of £805 16s. 5d., exclusive of the woods, pastures, fisheries, saltworks, mills, &c. Its hospitality was great, and education was not neglected. Of the church there are remains of the chancel and vestry, the north and south aisles, the lofty arches of the nave, and the belfry or western tower, from the top of which there is a fine view of the surrounding country. The sedilia, carved, as it is supposed, by Italian artists, form some of the finest specimens extant in freestone. Our space does not admit a more detailed notice of this splendid ruin.

Dalton Castle, distant from the abbey about a mile and a half, was erected by the Furness abbots for defence and for civil purposes. It is a square block of building, and its walls are six feet thick. In front of it the market was held till it was removed to Ulverstone. Dalton is supposed to have been a Roman station, but the examination of a mound near the church did not lead to any results. Some copper weapons, probably celts, were discovered in the vicinity many years ago; and in 1804, a coin inscribed with the word SOL in Roman characters on each side. In 1799, in sinking a shaft for iron ore near Dalton, there was found at the depth of thirty feet, the trunk of a large oak tree, which had assumed the colour of ebony. The church bears date about the fifteenth century. In it there is a large stone font, curiously carved, which was brought from the abbey. Mention is made in the "Tatler" of a great festival at this place, at which a great hunt took place on the morning, and a grand ball of the neighbouring gentry in the evening.

From Dalton we proceed to Lindell, where are extensive iron mines, some of which have been worked for centuries. The Romans were acquainted with the fine iron ore of this district, some of which yields 75 per cent. of iron. The Britons, Saxons, &c., in their turn knew their value, and the abbots of Furness Abbey had the sole management and profits of the mines. At Lindell Moor, on the 28th Sept., 1613, the king's forces were beaten by the parliamentarians.

From Lindell we proceed eastward to Urswick, which consists of Little and Great Urswick. At the former is a curious place called the Stone Walls, situated in some