SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES.

Feb. 6. John Gage Rokewode, esq. Director, in the chair.

Thomas Baylis, esq. F.S.A. exhibited a very beautiful silver reliquary. It is spiral in shape, and stands about 18 inches high. Its design comprises three architectural stories, or tiers of niches, containing gilt figures of the Rood and sixteen Saints. Its other ornaments are demi-angels, long projecting gargoiles, arched tracery, crockets, &c.

J. O. Halliwell, esq. F.S.A. communicated an impression of a seal recently found at Cambridge. It is of a small oval form. Its centre is occupied by a shield, charged with a cross ragulée, surmounted by the instruments of the Passion, combined saltirewise; and below in a niche is a figure kneeling in prayer. The legend, Dicarii Custodis Cantabrigie. The period of the workmanship is the latter part of the 14th century; but who the Custos Cantabrigia was has not been ascertained.

The remainder was read of Mr. Godwin's letter on the Ecclesiastical Architecture of Normandy, relating to Coutances, Falaise, &c.

The Rev. C. H. Hartshorne, F.S.A. communicated a very complete architectural description of the Norman castle of Orford in Suffolk, with conjectures upon the destinations to which the several existing parts of the building were assigned; accompanied by a large plan, and several views. This was partly read, and the remainder postponed.

Feb. 13. Thomas Amyot, esq. Treasurer, in the chair.

John Buckler, esq. F.S.A. presented a drawing of the interior of the west end of St. Mary Overies church, Southwark (lately pulled down), with a brief explanatory letter.

Mr. Richard Davis communicated an account of the discovery of several Roman urns, about half a mile east of Edenbridge in Kent. They were of half-burnt clay, from 11 to 12 inches high, and contained calcined bones.

The reading of Mr. Hartshorne's dissertation on Orford Castle was then concluded.

Feb. 20. H. Hallam, esq. V. P.

Count Pompeo Litta, of Milan, author of the " Famiglie celebri Italiani," was elected a Foreign Member of the Society.

J. O. Halliwell, esq. F.S.A. presented a copy of a pen-and-ink drawing of a portrait preserved in the archives of Dulwich College, and supposed by him to represent Shakespeare: it is drawn by the

player Henslow on the back of a letter addressed to himself, among a small collection of similar roughly sketched portraits.

A paper was then read from R. L. Pearsall, esq. giving an account of some extensive researches made by him in Germany relative to Judicial Combats, and the various modes of duelling authorised and practised in ancient times. It was illustrated by a numerous series of drawings derived from printed books and MSS.

H. W. Pickersgill, eşq. R. A. exhibited a mace and a battle-axe. The former was evidently a modern fabrication, having a general resemblance only to the form of an ancient mace, but nothing of antique style in the character of its ornaments. The battleaxe is handsome, of steel, ornamented with silver; and having the arms of Poland, with the name of “Stanislaus 1660,”

ROMAN INSCRIPTION DISCOVERED ON THE COAST OF GLAMORGAN.

At Port Talbot, near Aberavon, Glamorganshire, a Roman inscription has been discovered, of which the following transcript has been communicated to “the Cambrian," by Mr. Talbot, the proprietor of Margam Abbey and Park :

IMP. C. FLAV. M. MAXIMINO

INVICTO AVGVS.

A difficulty is presented by the above reading, because it does not appear that Maximinus I., who assumed the imperial purple A. D. 235, or Maximinus II., who was raised to the same dignity A. D. 305, ever bore the prænomen of Flavius. A correspondent of the Cambrian paper suggests that there must have been an error in copying the stone, and that either Magnus Maximus, who was Emperor in Britain and Gaul A. D. 383, or his son Flavius Victor, whom he declared Cæsar, and who shared the imperial dignity with him, is the person intended. He imagines that the letter M. after Flav. may, on closer inspection, turn out to be a Vi. for Victor. Too much caution cannot be used in copying ancient inscriptions; and we shall be happy to hear that a rubbing on soft paper, or a cast in plaster of the above, is laid on the table of the Society of Antiquaries.

Glamorgan and Monmouthshire are peculiarly rich in relics of the RomanoBritish age, and the inscriptions on monumental and votive stones, which are scattered up and down in those counties, and throughout Wales in general, deserve to be collected, before the silent unceasing operation of the rains of heaven has still further effaced them.

HOUSE OF LORDS, Feb. 3. Viscount Melbourne being prepared to omit the clause objected to in PRINCE ALBERT'S NATURALIZATION BILL, the House went into committee upon it, when the clause was struck out, and the Bill was read a third time and passed.

In the HOUSE OF COMMONS on the same day, Mr. Darby moved, "That William Evans, esq. and John Wheelton, esq. Sheriff of Middlesex, be discharged from the custody of the Serjeant-atArms." The Hon. Gentleman grounded his appeal on personal consideration towards the sheriffs, arguing that their release would not affect the question of Privilege; but it was opposed by the Attorney-general, and, a debate of considerable length arising, the matter was adjourned.

HOUSE OF LORDS, Feb. 4. The Bishop of Exeter, having made an exposition of the blasphemous and immoral tendency of the new system of SOCIALISM, propagated by Robert Owen, moved an Address to her Majesty upon the subject, which after a long discussion was agreed to.

In the HOUSE OF COMMONS, Mr. Serjeant Talfourd moved for leave to bring in his COPYRIGHT Bill, the principle of which the House had affirmed three several times. Mr. Wakley moved, as an amendment, that a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the existing laws of copyright; which was seconded by Mr. Hume. Mr. Warburton was hostile to the Bill. Mr. Labouchere thought it would be peculiarly ungracious to refuse the Bill being laid on the table., The House then divided; for the motion 75, for the amendment 53, majority 22.-Leave was then given to bring in the Bill.

Feb. 6. Mr. Thomas Burton Howard was brought to the bar and examined, when he acknowledged that he had commenced another action against the Messrs. Hansard at the suit of John Joseph Stockdale, for a subsequent publication of the same libel as before; after which Lord John Russell moved that Howard had, in so doing, been guilty of a high contempt of the privileges of that House. Sir E. Sugden moved as an amendment that Mr. Howard be brought to the bar to-morrow. The House divided-for the motion 147, for the amendment 45, majority 102. Lord John Russell then moved that Mr. Howard be committed to Newgate. The House again divided -for the motion 149, against it 46.

Feb. 7. The debate on Mr. Darby's

motion for the release of the Sheriffs was renewed, and it was negatived by a majority of 71; the numbers being, for the motion 94, against it 165. Lord J. Russell then moved that the Messrs. Hansard be directed not to appear or plead to the action threatened by Stockdale. Sir. E. Sugden said he had a motion on the paper, that Messrs. Hansard be at liberty to defend the action as they shall be advised, not involving the privileges of this House, and he begged to make that motion as an amendment. Sir W. Follett strongly protested against the course proposed by Lord John Russell. After a few words from the Attorney-general in its support, it was carried by a majority of 90, the numbers being 148 and 58. Lord J. Russell next moved that Stockdale had been guilty of a high contempt and breach of the privileges of the House in having commenced another action against the Hansards; this was opposed by Sir E. Sugden and Mr. Law, but carried by a majority of 98, the numbers being 132 and 34. Lastly, Lord J. Russell moved that Stockdale be committed to Newgate, which was carried without a division.

Feb. 11. Mr. T. Duncombe moved for leave to bring in a Bill to relieve from the payment of CHURCH-RATES, that portion of her Majesty's subjects who conscientiously dissent from the rites or doctrines of the Established Church. Mr. Gillon seconded the motion. Lord J. Russell opposed it, because it was not founded on sound principles, and if adopted, would, he believed, lead to very dangerous consequences. The House divided-for the motion 66, against it 117.

Sir Edw. Knatchbull stated to the House, it had come to his knowledge that the health of Mr. Sheriff Wheelton was so much impaired by his imprisonment, that the safety of his life might be endangered if longer kept in custody. Medical testimony having been adduced in proof of this statement, a resolution that Mr. Wheelton be forthwith discharged was agreed to.

Feb. 13. Mr. Herries moved for sundry financial returns, including accounts showing the deficiency of the net income of the United Kingdom, compared with the expenditure for the five years preceding 1831 and 1840, the total amount of the funded or unfunded debt, &c. &c. The Chancellor of the Exchequer resisted the production of the papers, on the ground that there was no precedent for granting them. After a lengthened debate, the House divided; for the motion 182, against it 172; majority against Ministers 10.

Feb. 14. The order of the day having been put for the second reading of the IRISH CCORPORATIONS Bill, Sir R. Inglis moved that it should be read a second time on that day six months. Mr. Litton seconded the motion. Mr. Shaw and Mr. Serjeant Jackson, though opposed to the details, would vote for its second reading, that it might be amended in Committee. Mr. O'Connell denied that the Bill would give any exclusive advantage to Roman Catholics; it would merely place them and Protestants on the same footing, and give them equal rights. Sir R. Peel, though opposed to the establishment of new corporations in Ireland, would sacrifice his own opinion to what appeared to be the general sentiment. The Bill, in its present form, would be likely to allay angry feelings. On those grounds he would vote for it. After a few remarks from Lord J. Russell, the second reading was carried by a majority of 149 to 14.

On the question being put that the FLOUR IMPORTATION (IRELAND) Bill be read a second time, Mr. E. Tennent moved as an amendment, that the Bill be read a second time that day six months. Col. Conolly supported the amendment. The House divided; for the second reading 154, against it 102.

Mr. Alderman Thompson moved that that William Evans, esq. Sheriff of London and Middlesex, be immediately discharged out of the custody of the Serjeant-at-Arms. Mr. Darby seconded the

FRANCE.

Feb. 17. Lord J. Russell stated that a new action had been commenced by Stockdale, on which an inquiry of damages was appointed before the undersheriff for the 20th instant. He proposed therefore a Resolution, that to take any steps in this matter would be a breach of privilege in the Sheriff, under-sheriff, officers, and others, and would cause them to incur the high displeasure of the House. This was carried without a division.

Feb. 18. The son of Stockdale's attorney and his clerk, accessory to the serving of the new processes upon Messrs. Hansard, were brought to the bar, and by large majorities ordered to be committed-Howard to Newgate, and the clerk, named Pearce, to the custody of the Serjeant-at-Arms.

Feb. 19. On the motion of Mr. Serjeant Talfourd, the COPYRIGHT Bill was read a second time, by a majority of 59 to 39.

Our

march and assault of some heights commanding the approach, on which the enemy had six guns in position. loss was severe-140 killed and wounded -about one-fifth of the number actually engaged-one officer, Lieut. Gravatt, of the Queen's, among the former; and six or seven officers among the latter, but none severely. Khelat is a town and fortress of the same relation to Persia which Dover or Plymouth is to England; and the uncle of the King of Persia, whom the King contrived to expel from his throne, until lately retained this garrison, but recently surrendered it to the King.