The First Annual Meeting, 1858

The first Annual General Meeting of the Society was held at Canterbury, 30th July, 1858. It was attended by:

The Marquess Camden, K.G., President; The Ladies Frances and Caroline Pratt; The Countess of Abergavenny; The Hon. Ralph Nevill; The Lady Caroline Nevill; The Hon. Thomas Lloyd Mostyn, M.P.; The Lady Augusta Mostyn; The Earl Stanhope; The Earl and Countess of Darnley; The Earl Amherst; A. J. B. Beresford Hope, Esq., M.P., The Lady Mildred Hope, and party; The Hon. James Byng; The Hon. Mrs. Byng; The Hon. and Rev. Sir Francis J. Stapleton, Bart.; The Hon. Lady Stapleton; The Misses Stapleton; The Hon. Florence Boscawen; Lady Mansel; The Misses Mansel; Sir Brook Bridges, Bart., M.P.; Sir Norton Knatchbull, Bart.; Sir Walter Stirling, Bart.; Sir Walter James, Bart.; Sir Charles Locock, Bart.; James Whatman, Esq., M.P.; J. Warre, Esq., M.P., and family; The Very Rev. the Dean of Canterbury, and family; The Ven. Archdeacon Harrison, and family; The Rev. Canon Stone; The Rev. Canon Chesshyre; The Rev. Professor Stanley; The Mayor of Canterbury; J.Wingfield Stratford, Esq.; J.'Espinasse, Esq.; J. Savage, Esq., and family; Admiral Marsham, and family; Edward Rice, Esq.; Arthur Pott, Esq.; Joseph Ridgway, Esq., and family; Rev. W. Smith Marriott, and family; Alderman Salomons; G. W. Norman, Esq., and family; Matthew Bell, Esq.; J. Nasmyth, Esq., and family; C. Powell, Esq., and family; W. Cook, Esq., and family; F. Swann, Esq., and family; The Mayor of Rochester; George Dering, Esq., and family; J. Crosby, Esq.; Rev. J. C. Robertson, and family; The Rev. G. B. Moore, and family; The Revs. M. Onslow, J.M. Rice, J. Riddell, Jacob Marsham, Dr. Welldon, G. Rashleigh, Tatton Brockman, and more than three hundred others, members and friends.

The MARQUESS CAMDEN, K.G., President of the Society, took the Chair at the Guildhall, at eleven o'clock.

On the Table were exhibited:-1. A large collection of Saxon Relics, Fibulae, Horse-trappings, etc., of extreme beauty and rarity (for an account of which we refer our readers to Mr. Roach Smith's Paper, and its accompanying illustrations, in the present Volume). They are the property of W. Gibbs, Esq., of Faversham, by whose assiduous exertions these most valuable relics were discovered and preserved. 2. A Saxon Spear, Umbo, Tweezers, and Drinking-glass, discovered in widening the road at the foot of Wye Downs, and exhibited by permission of J. Sawbridge Drax, Esq.,-whose property they are as Lord of the Manor of Wye. As well as-3. A Saxon Spear-head, found by the side of a perfect skeleton, in an excavation made by C. Roach Smith, Esq., and the Honorary Secretary on Wye Downs, in May last. 4. A very beautiful and rare specimen of a Saxon Drinking-glass, excavated at Westwell, on the property of Miss Chapman, who had kindly sanctioned the purchase of this relic for the Society through the instrumentality of Thomas Thurston, Esq., our active and zealous Local Secretary at Ashford. 5. A splendid Gold Necklace, and other Roman relics discovered in a tomb at Southfleet, in 1801, were exhibited by Rev. G. Rashleigh, Rector of Horton Kirby. 6. A most curious Gold Medieval Armillary Ring, by E. Reader, Esq., of Sandwich; it consisted of eight rings, one within the other, each having a portion of the following sentence engraved upon it.

1. Riches be un- 5. Love will

2. stable and beauty 6. ever last till

3. will decay 7. Death drive

4. but faithful 8. It away.

7. W. Gibbs, Esq., and Mr. Kadwell, each contributed various Rubbings of Brasses from Kent Churches. 8. A Charter of the Earl of Huntingdon, husband of Juliana de Leybourne, temp. Ed. III., was exhibited by J. J. Howard, Esq. 9. T. Willement, Esq., exhibited some beautiful drawings of mural paintings recently discovered in Faversham Church. 10. The Honorary Secretary exhibited a collection of Anglo-Saxon and Norman and other Charters, Monastic Accounts, etc., of the ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth centuries, including an Autograph Letter of William of Wykeham, with some beautiful specimens of early Seals, chiefly from the collection at Surrenden.

The Noble CHAIRMAN opened the business of the day by warmly congratulating the Members on the flourishing condition of the Society:

Although the Society (said his Lordship) has been in existence little more than ten months, the members already number six hundred. While, on the one hand, so strong an interest is thus exhibited in the study of Archaeology, on the other, the Society is most fortunate in possessing a singularly favourable field for their investigations. At the Inaugural Meeting at Maidstone, it was observed by Professor Stanley, that Kent was the corner-stone of England. The county is peculiarly rich in memorials of the past. In its ancient cities, many valuable remains of former times exist, and furnish matter of study for the historian and the archaeologist, while in its fertile fields, continual discoveries are made of relics of its former inhabitants; there are many of them of very ancient date and surpassingly interesting. It is the great advantage and merit of societies like this, that they preserve, for public instruction, these valuable objects which would otherwise be lost or destroyed. Upon this subject I am much tempted to speak further, but as a very short time only can be afforded for this morning's meeting, I will not detain you by many more observations. I only regret that you have not one more worthy than myself to preside over you on this occasion; but my duties are greatly lightened by the circumstance that the Cathedral, with the many objects of high interest it contains, will be shown to the Meeting by one who, to our great regret, has been lately lost to this city and county, but who is gone to perhaps a wider sphere for his abilities,-I mean Professor Stanley. Mr. Beresford Hope will accompany you to the Monastery of St. Augustine's; you will see the ancient Church of St. Martin, under the guidance of the Reverend the Rector, Canon Chesshyre, and Richard Hussey, Esq.; and the Castle, the Walls, and the Gates of the City, under that of Frank Masters, Esq.

The Noble PRESIDENT having read letters of regret for unavoidable absence, from Viscount and Viscountess Falmouth; Lord Talbot de Malahide; W. Deedes, Esq., M.P.; C. Wykeham Martin, Esq., M.P.; The Hon. H. Butler Johnstone, M.P.; and the Provost of Oriel, Canon Hawkins,-called upon the Honorary Secretary to read-

THE REPORT

"Three months only having elapsed since the last General Meeting (at Maidstone, April 14), there must necessarily be very little to report of the Society's proceedings; yet the Report, such as it is, is indicative of successful progress.

"A Meeting of the Council was held on the 10th of June, at the residence of the Marquess Camden, in Carlton-house Gardens. It was very fully attended, and transacted much important business.

"At this Meeting, the appointments of the Honorary Members, Local Secretaries, and Trustees were confirmed. Directions were given for the investment of the Life Compositions, amounting to £205, in the New Three-per-Cent. Stock-which has since been done. A Committee of Management, consisting of The Dean of Canterbury; The Mayor of Canterbury; The Archdeacon of Maidstone; The Rev. Canon Chesshyre; E. Foss, Esq.; The Rev. J. C. Robertson; The Rev. J. Wrench; M. Bell, Esq., (Mr. Foss being Chairman,) was appointed to direct the proceedings of the Annual Meeting, which was fixed for the 30th of July.

"It was resolved that a volume of Transactions be forthwith printed in royal 8vo, by Mr. J.E. Taylor, Little Queen Street, London.

"The South Kensington Architectural Museum and the Kilkenny Archaeological Society were taken into union.

"Twenty-nine candidates were elected, by which the number of Members admitted since our establishment in September, 1857, amounts to 561. We have at present the names of 41 candidates for admission on our books. Should they be elected, the number will then have reached 600-all elected in less than a single year. Some deduction, however, must be made from this amount by deaths, etc. We have to lament the loss, since September, 1857, of John Brenchley, Esq.; W. C. Kingsford, Esq.; The Rev. F. Barrow; The Rev. G. Boissier; T. Starr, Esq.; and T. Carnell, Esq.

"With regard to our funds, we have £212. 2s. 10d. New Three-per-Cent. Annuities purchased with the above-mentioned £205. The accounts will be audited, and a balance-sheet printed in our first Volume. The Auditors not having yet been appointed, it has been found impossible to present these accounts in detail at this Meeting: it will be sufficient to state that our Bankers' books show a balance of £140.

"The printer is fast progressing with our first Volume. We have also to report that contributions to the amount of £60 have been made to the fund for providing illustrations for the Volume, and we hope that this sum may be largely increased at the present Meeting, that we may be enabled to produce a book which shall do honour to the county.

"It is a great gratification to report that presents of books have been made by various members, which will be gratefully acknowledged by the Council when they next meet, and will form a nucleus for the intended library of our Institution.

"Thus, with an available balance in hand, and the second year's subscriptions being very shortly due, our finances may be considered in a prosperous state: and in every point of view the Society may congratulate itself on its present position and prospects.

"Encouraging as this state of things is, it must not be forgotten that every energy will be requisite in all our Members to bring the Society into that state of permanent prosperity and usefulness which we hope it will in succeeding years attain."

The Hon. J.M. Byng was then elected one of the Vice-Presidents of the Society. J. Savage, Esq., and J. N. Dudlow, Esq., were appointed Auditors. The existing Council was re-elected; John Bruce, Esq., V.P.S.A., being substituted for Albert Way, Esq., who, owing to his being a non-resident in the county, had expressed a wish to retire; and forty-one new Members were elected.

The noble President next submitted a list of twenty-one Papers which had been already received or promised, by-The Rev. Professor Stanley; E. Foss, Esq., F.S.A.; R. Hussey, Esq., F.S.A.; R. Blencowe, Esq.; T. Willement, Esq., F.S.A.; The Rev. Beale Poste; C. Roach Smith, Esq.; Major Luard; C. Wykeham Martin, Esq.; and the Honorary Secretary.

But as most of the company (observed the President) are, doubtless, impatient to go over the Cathedral, under the able guidance of Professor Stanley, I shall only desire one to be read, viz. that which has been kindly sent to us by C. Roach Smith, Esq., on the beautiful relics which we see before us.

Major MUNN accordingly read the Paper, which it will be unnecessary to repeat here, as it is printed in full, with its illustrations, in the present Volume.

After the reading of this highly interesting Paper,-

Thanks were voted to the Mayor and Corporation of Canterbury, for the accommodation they had given to the Society in the use of the Council Chamber and Guildhall;

To the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury, for their cordial welcome to the Society;

To the Directors and Managers of the South-Eastern Railway Company, for the liberal accommodation they had afforded to the Society by granting special trains at a reduced expense;

To the Exhibitors of the splendid and curious relics produced this day, viz.-Rev. G. Rashleigh; W. Gibbs, Esq.; T. Thurston, Esq.; T. Willement, Esq.; C. Kadwell, Esq.; J. J. Howard, Esq.; E. Reader, Esq.; and the Honorary Secretary.

Thanks were then voted to the Marquess Camden, for his kindness in taking the Chair on this occasion, on the proposal of A. P. Andrews, Esq., seconded by Sir Brook Bridges, Bart.

After a few words of acknowledgment from The Very Rev. the Dean and the Noble Marquess, the company proceeded to the Cathedral, through which the Rev. Professor Stanley, author of the 'Historical Memorials of Canterbury,' was announced to conduct them.

The Rev. Professor, accompanied by the Very Rev. the Dean, first took his stand in the chapter-house. After a brief description of that beautiful building itself, and calling attention to the work of restoration now going on, he conducted the company first to a position in the cloisters, where they could realize the rush of the monks into the cathedral when the knights were in pursuit of Becket, and thence went into the 'Martyrdom.' itself. Mr. Stanley traced the course taken by the Archbishop from the palace, when he was obliged, by the urgent entreaties of the monks, to take refuge in the cathedral. Half-carried, half-drawn, the Archbishop was borne along the northern and eastern cloisters, crying out, "Let me go-do not drag me," until at last the door of the lower north transept of the cathedral was reached, when the monks from within, who had been disturbed at their vespers, cried, "Come in, come in, and let us die together." The Archbishop refused, saying, "Go and finish the service; so long as you remain in the entrance I shall not come in." The monks immediately fell back a few paces-Becket entered the cathedral, the door was closed and barred, and he was in the act of resisting the solicitations of those about him to move into the choir for safety, when a loud knocking was made by the frightened monks without. He immediately darted back, calling aloud as he went, "Away, you cowards: by virtue of your obedience I command you not to shut the door-the church must not be turned into a castle." With his own hands he eventually unfastened the door, and drew the excluded monks into the building, exclaiming, "Come in, come in-faster, faster!" The Professor having passed into the cathedral by the same door through which Becket entered, the company collected in the 'Martyrdom,' when he observed that this spot, which ever since the year 1170 had been called the 'Martyrdom,' had a very different appearance then from that which it now presented. At that time the architecture was entirely Norman, and great changes had since taken place in the arrangement. The Deans' Chapel, then called the Chapel of St. Benedict, was rather smaller than at present, and there was another chapel above it, called the Chapel of St. Blaise. St. Michael's Chapel, in the south transept, still presented a similar arrangement. Between the walls there stood a pillar supporting a gallery, which probably communicated with the Chapel of St. Blaise. There were two flights of steps, one in the same place where the present flight existed, and one in the corner opposite the door. When Becket entered he was met by the monks coming down the latter flight of steps from the altar, where service had been going on. Immediately afterwards they perceived the knights following him, and they all fled except four, who renewed their entreaties that he would escape; and they persuaded him to go up the stairs for the purpose of secreting himself in the roof; but the object of the Archbishop was to seat himself in the patriarchal chair, in which he and all his predecessors from time immemorial had been enthroned. He had reached the fourth step when the knights entered. At this time of the year (the 29th of December) the days were short, and in the twilight (the pillar above described being in the way) the knights did not at first see him. Reginald Fitzurse shouted out, "Where is the traitor?" When Becket did not reply, he asked, "Where is the Archbishop?" and Becket replied, "Here am I; no traitor, but the Archbishop and priest of God-what do you wish?" He had but one monk with him, for the others had made their escape; The knights at first attempted to carry him out, in order to avoid committing sacrilege, which they evidently considered a greater crime than murder. The Archbishop clung to the pillar, and successfully resisted their efforts. In the struggle he used some violent language to Fitzurse, who drew his sword and struck him. The others also fell upon him, and the last blow, which was upon the head, and laid bare the scalp, was given by Richard le Bret, with such force that the sword snapped in two on the marble pavement. The Archbishop fell on the spot occupied by the stone near the wall, which is pointed out to visitors, and from which a square piece has been cut, according to tradition, for transmission to Rome. Certain it is that the Pope sent legates to procure relics of the murder, in order to the Archbishop's canonization, and they were to bring away the handkerchief stained with blood, which is yet preserved at Rome, with the stone on which the brains were scattered. The Professor had seen the handkerchief at the church of Sta. Maria Maggiore, at Rome; and whether the stone now on the spot was there at the time of the murder or not, at all events its position exactly accorded with that of a tall man falling from the pillar, as had been described. A small wooden altar was erected some years afterwards against the adjoining wall, and this probably caused the rumour of St. Thomas having fallen by the high altar, the only "altar" which was thought of at that time. The morning after the murder, the knights having sent word to say that if the body were not taken away they would drag it through the town, the monks buried it in the crypt, where it remained for fifty years. The Rev. Gentleman then slightly alluded to other topics of interest in the 'Martyrdom,' to the tomb of Archbishop Peckham (temp. Henry III. and Edward I.), and that of Wareham, Cranmer's predecessor, who died at St. Stephen's, and to the Deans' Chapel, where the Deans are buried.

Professor Stanley next proceeded to the crypt, and having taken his stand in the circular portion, resumed his narrative. He regretted that Professor Willis was not present to describe the alterations which had been made in this part of the cathedral. Time did not allow him (Professor Stanley) to enter into architectural details, and he must, therefore, content himself with referring his hearers to Professor Willis's book. The first part of the crypt was, however, in much the same state now as on the night of the murder. There always did exist a crypt in the cathedral, and it was remarkable as being the earliest crypt in England. The Saxon cathedral built here by St. Augustine was modelled from the old church of St. Peter at Rome, and the crypt was thus a direct imitation of the catacombs at Rome, in which the early Christians took refuge from their persecutors. The body of St. Thomas Becket was buried behind the Chapel of the Virgin, very much in the spot where he (the speaker) was standing. A shrine was built in the first instance with apertures through which the coffin containing the body might be seen, and hither for fifty years the pilgrims flocked. Here also was the scene of the penance of Henry II., who on this spot received three hundred lashes or more from the monks. The circular portion of the crypt was built to support Trinity Chapel, in which the shrine of the Archbishop was placed, as nearly as possible over the spot where his body was buried.

The company next assembled on the steps leading to the choir, where the Professor pointed out the various monuments in the aisles. The south transept now presented the same arrangement of steps as in the north transept on the night of the murder, and St. Michael's Chapel the same arrangement of a smaller chapel above as then existed in the Chapel of St. Benedict.

Proceeding into the choir, the Professor called attention to the monuments severally, entering into highly interesting historical details. He then passed into Trinity Chapel, and indicated the spot where the shrine of St. Thomas was placed-immediately in the centre of the platform. Some idea of its appearance might be obtained by looking at the shrine of Edward the Confessor in Westminster Abbey, which was the only shrine now existing in England. Here the pilgrims came and ranged themselves before the shrine, and on some of the flagstones might be seen marks of the places where they must have knelt. The only contemporary representation of the shrine in existence was in one of the adjoining windows. The Archbishop was there represented as looking out upon one of the patients who came to be cured. All the designs in these windows represented supposed miraculous cures. The first historical personage buried here after St. Thomas Becket was Edward the Black Prince, whose Will existed, and from that Will every particular of the tomb itself might be verified. The Professor described the various memorials of the Black Prince, and the remaining tombs in the chapel, including that of Henry IV., who was the only king that had been brought to Canterbury for sepulture.

The company then proceeded outside the cathedral, to what was formerly the great quadrangle or court of the monastery, where Mr. Stanley concluded his interesting address. In closing his remarks the Professor said he did not know why the Dean or Archdeacon Harrison should not rather than himself have undertaken the duty which had that day devolved upon him, but the request having been made to him, he could not resist the pleasure of renewing, though for so short a time, his associations with scenes which he had always regarded with so deep an interest. He would now "break his wand," and resign it to the Dean for all future occasions.

The Marquess CAMDEN felt sure he should anticipate the wish of every one present in proposing their heartiest thanks to Professor Stanley for the very eloquent address he had so kindly delivered. He had said that he would break his wand, but he (the Marquess) was sure the Dean would be happy to receive it unbroken. In conveying their thanks to Professor Stanley, they could not avoid expressing their regret that he was no longer an inhabitant of the county of Kent.

The Very Rev. the Dean, in the name of the company, tendered his hearty thanks to Mr. Stanley, and expressed a hope that he would, on many more occasions of the sort, be pleased to conduct them to see the beauties of the glorious cathedral.

From the Cathedral, the company passed to St. Augustine's, where Mr. Beresford Hope gratified them with a luminous and detailed account of the early history of the Monastery, its subsequent desecration, and the recent restorations so munificently completed by himself.

Having taken up his position on the terrace, on the north side of the quadrangle, in front of the students' dormitory, Mr. Beresford Hope first treated of the history of the abbey, and then proceeded to describe the process of restoration, and the present condition of the building. St. Augustine, who arrived here in 596, and whose first convert was Ethelbert, King of Kent, founded here, without the city, the Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul for the sepulture of the abbots and kings, intra-mural interment being then, as it had under a recent enactment become, illegal. In the course of time the abbey gradually assumed the name of its founder, and as it increased in opulence, it stood for some time in opposition to the cathedral, both in the grandeur of its ornaments and the number of monks who inhabited it. It was the eighth Archbishop of Canterbury who first gave up being buried here and chose the cathedral. Mr. Beresford Hope pointed out the site of the great abbey church, which had all the attributes of a cathedral, of Ethelbert's Tower, of the great refectory, etc. etc. A few years ago certain foundations of the refectory were in existence, by which means the crypt was accurately restored. An accurate gauge was then obtained of the apartment above, and thus the whole building was raised on the plan of the old one, and now formed the library of the college, the windows in the new library being copied from those of Mayfield Palace, in Sussex, a building about contemporary with the gateway.

Mr. Beresford Hope then led the way round the various buildings, describing each in its turn. In the course of his remarks he referred in highly complimentary terms to the ability of Mr. Butterfield, under whose direction the restorations were made. One side of the quadrangle, appropriated to the students' dormitory, was original, and was a worthy monument of Mr. Butterfield's genius. The pavement was remarkable as containing encaustic tiles which were an exact copy of some found in the crypt. Though this portion of the building stood on fresh ground, there was doubtless in former times a range of buildings parallel to it, though at a greater distance. The principal mass of the western side, including the great gateway, the hall, and kitchen beneath, and the chapel, were either untouched, or restored so closely as to render them objects of archaeological interest. Further to the south, on the west side, came the warder's lodge and the fellows' buildings, which were perfectly new constructions, but built in strict architectural harmony with the older portions. In its present aspect the whole building resembled one of the colleges of the Universities and these were a class of buildings which in their general distribution had a family likeness to the ancient monasteries: in the one, as in the other, the church or chapel, the refectory, the library, and the various lodgings, composed the different buildings, which were usually grouped round one or more quadrangles. Besides, in the imperfect state of commerce then existing the monasteries were compelled to have great storehouses, brewhouses, etc., not from habits of excess, but because modern facilities of purchase did not then exist. Of the chapel (standing over a crypt which itself was on the ground-level), which was originally the "guest chapel," some portion was original, including the western triplet in the Early-English style. In devoting it to its actual destination it was made about half as long again as it originally had been, and in building the rest the middle style of Gothic, which was well known to be the most perfect style, had been adopted. All this was Mr. Butterfield's work. The stained glass was executed by Mr. Willement, a member of the Society,-who might be claimed as a "man of Kent." The stalls, in two ranges on each side, recalled the arrangements of college chapels and cathedral choirs. The pavement under the altar was a literal copy of that under the high altar of Fountains Abbey, in Yorkshire, which, although the abbey itself was in a very ruinous condition, still existed. Passing to the college hall adjoining, which stood at the top of the same stone staircase as the chapel, Mr. Beresford Hope remarked that this was originally the refectory for the guests. The roof was original, and in other respects the appearance of the hall was so little changed, that in this they had an actual specimen of the dining-hall of an abbey or the house of a great lord, which were much alike at that day. It had been converted into a tavern, and miserably disfigured, but indications remained by which the windows were accurately restored. Proceeding to the ruins of an external wall, which was formerly the internal wall of the north aisle of the nave of the abbey church, Mr. Beresford Hope said that this was a palace in the time of Charles I., and here it was that he first met his queen, Henrietta-Maria. She was married abroad by proxy, as was the custom then and now with crowned heads; she made her progress and met the King here, and this was the first palace that ill-fated sovereign of ours ever occupied in England. The style of this fragment was early Norman, and no doubt closely resembled the original nave of the cathedral as built by Lanfranc. Passing the ruins of Ethelbert's Tower, which formed one of the side towers of the nave of the abbey church, and proceeding through the library, where, as he remarked, there was still room on the shelves for the contributions of friends, Mr. Beresford Hope entered the crypt of the old refectory, now used by the students for their workshops-a knowledge of carpenters' work being very useful for a missionary. The crypt had been exactly restored, with the exception that the groins had been filled in with red brick, in order to give a little warmth of colour. Before separating, the company proceeded to inspect the students' dormitories, which were remarkable for their neatness and convenience, and finished by perambulating the ancient boundaries of the monastery.

Mr. Beresford Hope, in the course of his interesting explanations of the wonderful restoration of the monastery, exhibited an encaustic tile, forming a sun-dial, found near St. Ethelbert's Tower. It was encased in an oak frame carved from a beam of the ancient 'Chequers' Inn, and was presented to the college by Mr. Pout.

A large number of the company went to contemplate the cradle of Christianity in these islands, St. Martin's parish church. Mr. Chesshyre pointed out the numerous Roman bricks to be seen in many parts of the church, and especially in the walls of the chancel, which are almost entirely built with them-the tomb of Queen Bertha in the recess on one side of the chancel, the baptismal font of King Ethelbert, etc. The church is now in excellent condition, thanks alike to the liberality and the good taste of a member of the Society, the Hon. Daniel Finch: its lich-gate, its plain nave and chancel, with the pointed roof and low square tower, overgrown with ivy, and its commanding position above the city, all obtained special notice from the party.

A third party, under the guidance of F. Masters, Esq., inspected the ruins of the Castle, of which only the keep remains. The immense strength of the edifice, the part of the old moat still remaining on the southern side, the loopholes on the ground and first floors (like those of Rochester Castle), the windows on the second and third floors (also like those at Rochester), were all lucidly pointed out by the guide. From the Castle, the party went to inspect the remains of the old walls and city gates, which run from Dane John to Northgate almost without break. The portions of the walls which show patches of Roman brickwork were carefully marked. Westgate, of course, occupied a considerable share of attention. Built by Archbishop Sudbury in the reign of Richard II., and the only one of the six city gates which still remains, its noble appearance between two lofty round towers erected in the river, its battlements, machicolations, and portcullis, were much admired by the strangers.

During the afternoon, numerous parties, by the kind courtesy of Mr. Pout and Mr. Wood, visited the 'Chequers' inn in the High Street, mentioned in Chaucer as the resting-place of the pilgrims who came to visit the shrine of St. Thomas a Becket. The gentlemen, in whose occupation is this curious relic of a past age, were most obliging in leaving their business to conduct their visitors over the sleeping-room of the pilgrims. The 'Chequers' was built in the form of a quadrangle, with an open courtyard; the suites of rooms projected in front over each other, and were supported by pillars forming a colonnade. The vaulted ceiling under Mr. Wood's shop was found to be perfect, and in the same condition as in Chaucer's time.

Divine Service was performed in the Cathedral at three o'clock, every seat being occupied from the stalls to the altar. The music selected was from Kentish composers.

At half-past four the Dinner took place, in the Music Hall, St. Margaret's; three hundred and ten were accommodated at the tables; above one hundred more were disappointed of seats, owing to their not having given timely notice of their intentions to dine.

The Marquess Camden was in the Chair, supported on his right by the Countess of Abergavenny; The Mayor of Canterbury; Lady Caroline Nevill; The Earl of Darnley; Honourable Ralph Nevill; A. B. Beresford Hope, Esq., and Lady Mildred Hope, etc. etc.; and on his left, by the Countess of Darnley; The Dean of Canterbury; Lady Augusta Mostyn; Earl Amherst; Earl Stanhope; Hon. T. Lloyd. Mostyn; Archdeacon Harrison; Professor Stanley, etc. etc. etc.

Our limited space will not permit our giving all the admirable speeches that were made, on the removal of the cloth; we must necessarily confine ourselves to those which touched upon the more peculiar objects of the Society. Among them-The Venerable Archdeacon HARRISON, in returning thanks for himself and the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Clergy, said-

I am sure it would have given his Grace great satisfaction to have been present among us this day; to have seen the interest taken by such numbers of members in the proceedings of the Society; and how it promises to be one more effectual bond of union between the clergy and laity of his diocese. The cordial co-operation of those two classes

which compose the Church, we all of us feel to be our privilege, our strength, and our happiness. There is much, in the several duties devolving upon the clergy, to cause us anxiety and trouble; and it is most refreshing to receive from time to time evidence that our labours have not been in vain. I am, beyond doubt, expressing the sentiments of many of the clergy when I say that it is a refreshment to them from time to time to do as they have done this day-to come to the metropolitical city, to meet their brethren from all parts of the diocese, refresh themselves with the recollections of past times, and so gather fresh strength for the duties of the future. They are connected by their office with a large number of most interesting edifices, sprinkled all over the country-the ancient parish churches of the land: and they have not only a great interest in preserving them in their integrity, and repairing whatever has fallen to decay through the lapse of time, but they also derive great encouragement from the spirit shown in respect of them, not only in repairing what needs reparation, but also in the good will and good sense by which the restoration is most happily carried on; so that the new shall be in harmony with the old. I have the satisfaction-and I speak in the presence of many of the clergy of my own archdeaconry-of saying that I can point from parish to parish where the work of restoration is being, or has been, happily carried on; nor will I be withheld by the presence of the noble Lord in the chair from expressing my satisfaction at one of those parishes, which shows in the present state of its church, the munificence and good taste which he possesses. One word more before I sit down. The restorations and improvements are carried on so constantly and rapidly, that sometimes the public chroniclers can hardly keep pace with them. I happened to send an official Guide of the South-eastern Railway to my friend Mr. Stanley, who told me that he had been studying it on his journey, and it mentioned a circumstance which I will repeat, because it shows that official Guides are not always infallible authorities. There was a church, it was stated, of very picturesque exterior, but the interior beauty of which was utterly destroyed by its ornaments: In it were to be seen images of Fame and Justice, more suitable to a Grecian temple than a Christian church. The official Guide spoke of all these as still in existence: but I am happy to be able to inform all archaeologists, as I informed Mr. Stanley, that, though the Guide had only appeared a few months ago, the images of Fame and Justice have long disappeared. I need not say that, though from the parish church in question the representations of Fame and Justice have been banished, the church is none the worse; and I feel assured that the work of restoration, on the soundest principles of archaeology, would continue to make progress through the country.

Mr. BERESFORD HOPE, in proposing the health of the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury, said:---

I am sorry to begin, my Lord, with an act of insubordination, and to dissent from the Chairman as to my fitness to undertake this task. At the meeting this morning at the Guildhall, the Dean called us a "very grateful Society indeed," because we returned thanks to the Chapter for kindness not yet shown. But there is no doubt now that these thanks are due, after the way in which the Chapter have received us, and after the lucid and excellent description of the cathedral by one whom, though unconnected now officially with it, we must ever connect with the cathedral of Canterbury. Great service has been done, my Lord, by this Chapter in the restoration, and in the manner of the restoration, of this cathedral. The Chapter have restored lapses and supplied defects; they have renovated the edifice with a judicious taste; they have brought it back to its old condition, but they have not made it "spick-and-span-new," like a railway-station. People deserve praise who execute such works by their own trouble, at their own expense, and from motives of affectionate piety. Those, too, who first set the example of church restoration deserve most high praise. Now Chapters are everywhere restoring their cathedrals, and giving a practical answer to the charges of selfishness brought against them. But twenty-five years ago, when this spirit of renovation had not yet been excited, this Chapter restored their cathedral at a cost of tens of thousands of pounds. You have seen that cathedral today,-you have seen the order and decency with which it is kept. One canon only survives, I believe, who witnessed the beginning of the restorations,-but as new men came in, there was no mutability in the spirit of the body. What was begun by Dean Percy, has been carried on by Dean Bagot, Dean Lyall, and now by Dean Alford. I feel a peculiar pleasure in proposing this toast, because the cathedral Chapter has had for many years most friendly relations with the College of St. Augustine, and their friendliness has been the better appreciated because that college has not been in any way connected with the cathedral. When St. Augustine's College was first founded, people said-"Of course you'll put it in connection with the cathedral; of course the Chapter will have a voice in it." To which we replied-"Of course we will not put it in connection with the cathedral; of course the Chapter will not have a voice in it." We said this, because the Chapter had its own work to do, which it was doing well, but that the college was a cognate institution, not an identical one, having its own work of a parallel nature; therefore, we decided, let it stand on its own basis, and the cathedral stand on its. The members of the Society will be but blind and cold archaeologists if they have regard only to matters of bricks and glass, and to the external winutice of their science, without appreciating its deeper meaning. The restorations of Christ Church, Canterbury, have not been undertaken in order that it may be visited by the sight-seers of a week-day, and the archaeologists every three years; but because it is connected with the most famous scenes of English history. It brings before us the missionaries and the kings of the Heptarchy; it is the scene of the labours of Lanfranc and of Anselm, of the struggle between Henry and Becket; the burial-place of Edward the Black Prince and Harry of Lancaster; and there are many other memorable events with which it is associated; therefore we honour the cathedral, and we respect its custodians, whose singleness of purpose and liberality are a pattern to all other Chapters. I have much pleasure in proposing "The health of the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury, with thanks for their welcome."

The Very Reverend the DEAN returned thanks in the following words:-

My Lord Marquess, Ladies and Gentlemen,-I am sorry it has not devolved on some older member of the Chapter than myself to return you thanks for the very kind manner in which you have received our health. I am, in fact, the youngest member of our body; for that member who is actually younger than myself was among you long before I came to Canterbury. But, as the task devolves on me, in consequence of my office, I willingly accept it. I can assure you that the scene which we have witnessed today in our venerable cathedral has given, us infinite pleasure, while it has suggested some remarkable contrasts. When we compare the complaints in the pages of Gostling and contemporary writers, of the non-appreciation of the Gothic style, with the eager enthusiasm of the vast body of intelligent pilgrims who have assembled in it today; when we remember that in his forlorn plea for the building he is obliged to appeal to the fact that the eyes of the negroes accompanying the rich planters who sometimes visited it, sparkled with pleasure on entering the nave, we may well conclude that public opinion has much changed since that day. We all know the verdict of the age of Pope, and Swift, and Bolingbroke, on antiquarian researches. It is pithily comprised in the epigram-

"Give me the thing that's pretty, odd, and new: All ugly, old, odd things, I leave to you."

I may say, by the way, that we seem to have inherited not only their legacy to others, but their wish for themselves also. The brilliant assembly of our fair friends around us may serve to show that every gem is not an antique; that it is not "ugly, old, odd things" alone of which archaeologists are in quest at their meetings. But, Ladies and Gentlemen, it was very soon afterwards found out, that these "ugly, old, odd things" had in them some beauty, and were worth imitating. And so the next generation showed that they had discovered that the "child is father of the man." But they did not go on to the sequel of the quotation, of which I will presently speak. They began by child's play, in Gothic imitation. Then was the age of Strawberry Hill; of painted windows outside with no windows inside to correspond; of elaborate toys and costly shams, of which the only successors now are the roughcast pasteboard castles which serve as spill-boxes on the mantelpieces of furnished lodgings. Horace Walpole was not aware that, because the child is father of the man, "our days must be bound each to each by natural piety;" that subsequent ages must not imitate, but be founded upon, former ones; that a much more serious task is before the archaeologist than any mere imitation can fulfil. It was the somewhat exaggerated boast of Canning, when speaking, in a strain of high eloquence, of the intended establishment of the empire of Brazil, that "he had called the new world into existence, to right the balance of the old." Yours, Ladies and Gentlemen, is the converse task,-and I say this in no spirit of rhetorical exaggeration, but in sober earnest,-your task is to call the old world into existence to right the balance of the new. Already we see the scale, so long unworthily held the lightest, descending to us rich with ample treasures of precious information; already art begins to be looked on as never before; already history is written, and history is read, as it never was read or written before. We can read on the volumes, which the descending scale brings to us, the names of Hallam and Milman, Arnold and Grote, Stanhope and Merivale, Froude and Stanley, Campbell and Foss; men who have written history, not for this or that political purpose, not to serve the opinions of this or that Ministry of the day, but as founded on research, and aiming at truth. And I hardly need remind you, Ladies and Gentlemen, that in this archaeological revival not even the minutest researches are to be despised. From the hill where we ourselves seem to be standing, we must not only strain our eyes after the distant mountains of classic antiquity, but must examine with all care the important though less interesting level which separates us from them. How do we know, till we have descended and ascertained, whether that far-off spark which we see be the glittering dome of a palace, or the light in the window of a cottage? whether that uncertain cloud which hangs over another portion of the plain be the dust of an advancing army, or the smoke of some powerful mart of commerce? Nothing in these researches is trifling. Every age, in every feature, has that which every other age may learn from-may learn modesty, soberness, wisdom, thankfulness, earnestness, charity. And as for ourselves, Ladies and Gentlemen, we feel it our mission to keep well and faithfully, warily and wisely, the great fortress of history and devotion which has been entrusted to our care, to teach our fellow-citizens and fellow-countrymen that the uses of cathedrals have not passed away. For as the gallant officer who spoke for the army would bear me out, though it may not be requisite that every soldier at every time should be kept at the very highest regulation pattern, yet it is requisite that some be so kept, and always so kept. And it is even thus in the Church. We who have no distracting cares of parochial duty, are set here for a pattern, in a Church which is to be a pattern,-which is to show the full measure and full intent of associated praise and prayer, and exhortation and doctrine. Give us your good wishes, that we may be always found earnest and able for this our duty; that whether we live (as you heard today) under an Archbishop who performed the questionable work of dividing the Bible into chapters, or (as now) under a Commission which is performing, if well done, the better work of dividing the Chapter into Bibles, we may not lose heart nor courage, nor elasticity of action, to fit the wants and duties of the day in which we live. And, more, give us your pious prayers also, that, when we stand with you where all must stand, we may, by God's help, be found to have been, in this our important work, good and faithful servants.

The Rev. Professor STANLEY said:-

I wish the toast I am about to propose had been placed in other hands, being, as it is, the toast of all others most essential to the fortune and prospects of the day. But I feel at least this advantage, that-to use an almost Irish expression-I am both inside and outside of it. On the one hand, I have now no connection with the county of Kent, yet, on the other hand, I feel that I can never be entirely severed from it. I have found the greatest pleasure in showing over the cathedral so large an assemblage as have honoured me with their presence this morning; and I rejoice if any knowledge that I have acquired during my stay in Canterbury, has been productive of instruction or amusement to the members of the Society. In delivering over my wand to the Dean this morning, it was indeed like parting from an enchanted island, where I have passed years of the greatest happiness. The subject of my toast is "Success to the Kent Archaeological Society." This calls upon me to say what are the great peculiarities of Archaeology in the present day. My friend the Dean has, indeed, anticipated anything that I could have wished to say; and has spoken to you so ably and so eloquently, that I can scarcely hope to be able to add anything to it: one or two points, however, may be briefly touched upon. In a peculiar sense, Archaeology now, for the first time, may be said to be a general science, -a science which has been diffused throughout the whole community. This is peculiar to the times in which we live. Go back to former ages, and there will be found an absence of any considerable reverence for the things of antiquity; whereas the opposite tendency of the present day seems as though it had been specially called out to counteract the other influences which are at work,-the influences of railroads and telegraphs, and all the other effects of a rapidly-increased communication; immense changes, irresistible and inevitable, whose effect, unless counteracted by an opposite spirit, will be to destroy and sweep from the face of the land every vestige of antiquity. But that opposite tendency has been called into existence; it is proved by the universal desire shown for the study of Archaeology. If we look back to the middle ages, of which our cathedral is a monument, it is impossible to help reflecting how much more advantageously the study might have been followed then than now, if any interest had then been felt in the venerable objects to us now so dear. I sometimes can hardly forgive the great Lanfranc for having been such a destroyer of the relics of antiquity. If but the same spirit had inspired him, as inspired men now with a reverence for things of the past, might not the remains of the old cathedral founded by St. Augustine have been still in existence? and from them one could have formed some idea of what the first early Christian church at Rome was like, of which Kent's oldest Saxon cathedral was a copy. Then, when I remember how the scene of Becket's murder has been entirely altered, I cannot but reflect how much light the histories of that event might have received could we of the present generation have seen the transept in the same condition as it was in at the time of that event. Now, however, the time is come when a spirit prevails of juster appreciation of the past. It has grown up at the very moment when but for it every relic of antiquity would have disappeared. The bane and the antidote have grown side by side; and in this way we may be able to hand down to future generations the gifts and inheritances we have received from generations of old. And it is impossible not to feel how specially important a field of labour the Kent Archaeological Society has opened before it. Of all counties, Kent is the most historically interesting; being as it is the very corner-stone of English history, and particularly of English ecclesiastical history.

Earl STANHOPE (President of the Society of Antiquaries) returned thanks. He said:-

I hope the idea will not, even for a moment, be entertained that from any feeling of jealousy, as connected with another body of antiquaries, I am unable sincerely to congratulate you on the success which has attended the day's proceedings. On the contrary, I feel that the path of Archaeology is wide enough for many to travel on it, and I and the Society to which I belong heartily welcome all who are disposed to become their fellow-labourers. I think I have just cause to congratulate you on your first meeting. It would not indeed become me to speak on behalf of so many as I see here assembled; but if I may judge of the feelings of all by what I have heard from the many with whom I have spoken, I will venture to say that the proceedings have been a great enjoyment to all who have taken a part in them. It would have been, in truth, no common delight to any one-and how much more to antiquaries and archaeologists-to see the many points of interest with which the venerable city of Canterbury abounds, from the magnificent pile of Christ Church to the ancient castle-fosse and the blooming lime-trees of the Dane John. I have said that in the day's proceedings all have found great enjoyment; and I do not think I need except those, the fairer and the better part of the company, who have honoured us with their presence in such numbers. No doubt many, if not all of them, have hitherto looked upon the study of antiquity as dry and repulsive,-fit perhaps for the library of their grandpapas, but wholly destitute of interest for themselves. I cannot but hope that for the future they will connect the study with a day agreeably passed-when the sunshine beamed on many objects beauteous and noble in themselves, but yet more beauteous and more noble in the recollections they inspired; a day when events long gone by, but whose influence is yet felt, were explained in so lucid a manner by Mr. Arthur Stanley above all, but by others also, that their details could be no longer matter of difficulty to be either understood or remembered. If such are the feelings of the ladies, I will venture to add one word more, and say the best proof they can give that I have rightly interpreted them, will be by honouring us with their company on the next occasion. I cannot but think, too, that their enjoyment has been of the most profitable description. They cannot but derive many a useful lesson from those silent witnesses of the past-silent as they have been for centuries and now first taught to reveal the great truths they contain. Thus looking back to the first influence of the Christian faith upon the history of the English nation, who can stand unmoved by the baptismal font of Ethelbert? who but must feel all his chivalry aroused within him when standing at the tomb of the very flower of chivalry, the Black Prince? These are subjects of lasting glory: they awake in the heart that contemplates them feelings that are an honour to human nature, and that should not either remain without some influence in estimating or deciding upon the questions of the present day. Upon these grounds I very much rejoice at the success which has been achieved on the present occasion. It furnishes also an apt scene on which men of all political and religious opinions may meet in harmony, and proves that however numerous the points of difference among us, they are not so many as the points of agreement. I must, in conclusion, beg permission to propose the health of our noble President.

The Chairman briefly returned thanks.

Sir WALTER JAMES proposed "The Mayor and Corporation of Canterbury," and passed a warm eulogium on municipal institutions in general.

The Mayor (T. N. WIGHTWICK, Esq.) said:-

In the name of the Corporation of Canterbury, I beg to offer you our grateful thanks for the compliment which has been paid to us by the Kent Archaeological Society. My Lord, gentlemen who have preceded me have been pleased to speak in eulogistic terms of the city of Canterbury, of the facilities it offers for archaeological research. It is, as we all know, a matter of congratulation to us to hear the locality which we inhabit spoken of in commendatory language. For, my Lord, as there is a pride of ancestry, so there is a pride of place. And I am sure I shall be forgiven, as a citizen of Canterbury, for entertaining feelings of pride that we can offer in this our city attractions which can invite the attention and command the special attendance of such a scientific assembly as those now gathered around these boards. My Lord, whilst we exult that Canterbury is rich in legendary lore-whilst we glory that within a small circle of this very spot we can offer specimens of a bygone age, illustrative of almost all that your inquiring minds have, in the investigation of your science, as yet discovered, of themselves tending to bear testimony to the utility of your institution,-we must not and we do not forget that we are, in a measure, indebted to your Society for revealing to us their existence, enabling us, as it were, on the very threshold of our houses to hold converse with the past, and affording to us a daily lesson for our guidance and our profit. It is not for me, my Lord, at this late hour to occupy your time. I will content myself with assuring you how thoroughly you may rely on our hearty co-operation-of our earnest desire to do all in our power to assist in your praiseworthy endeavours. And if, my Lord, we can hereafter lay claim to the smallest portion of the benefit, which we feel convinced you will achieve, we shall be amply rewarded for our exertions.

Before the entire programme of toasts was completed the hour had arrived, and the greater part of the company were compelled to retire.

A very large party, however, remained to enjoy the hospitalities of the Deanery, to which the Dean and Mrs. Alford had kindly invited the Members and their friends.

The beautiful grounds were thrown open to the company, where professional singers were engaged to entertain them with madrigals, glees, etc., from whence they adjourned to the house, where refreshments were served.

Here H. B. Mackesson, Esq., kindly exhibited his unique trumpet found in the sea at Hythe, and believed to be of the fourteenth century.

The beautiful Saxon antiquities, which had only been partially examined in the morning, were again exhibited and leisurely inspected, and elicited the admiration which they merited. Some admirable Photographs, too, of the Cathedral and other antiquities of Canterbury, were exhibited by Mr. Cruttenden, Honorary Photographer to the Society, and eagerly purchased by the visitors.

At a later hour, some of the party entered the Cathedral, and enjoyed the effect of moonlight upon its windows and tracery, the enjoyment being richly enhanced by the magic effect of Luther's Hymn unexpectedly chanted by unseen performers, which, it was afterwards understood, was a gratification contrived by the Dean and Precentor; thus finishing a day of intellectual enjoyment, such as the county had not before experienced, and which surpassed our most sanguine expectations. It was a day not easily to be forgotten.