belonged to a different class of ideas), would, if genuine, revolutionize our conception of the manner of life and social progress attained to by man in that age.

The Chairman, Mr. Gould, and others took part in the discussion.

APRIL 5TH, 1899.

C. H. COMPTON, ESQ., V.-P., IN THE CHAIR.

Thanks were ordered by the Council to be returned to the donors of the subjoined presents to the library :—

To the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archæological Society for "Transactions," vol. xxi, Part 1, 1898; "Gloucestershire Records," Part I.

Brussels Archæological Society for "Annual Report," 1899.
Glasgow Archaeological Society for "New Series," vol. iii,
Part II, 1899.

Derbyshire Archæological and Natural History Society for
"Journal," vol. xxi, 1899.

Dr. A. C. Fryer contributed a paper "On Ancient Fonts in Gower." The peninsula of Gower is situated at the south-western end of Glamorganshire. The name is thought by some to have been derived from gwyr, meaning luxuriant; but this word hardly describes the locality correctly, as at the time the name was given the district would be a dense forest and swampy marsh. The old British word go-hir, far, long, outstretching, would denote that this peninsula is a narrow neck of land. It has been thought, however, that the true derivation may be found in the word gwyr, meaning slanting or oblique. The ancient fonts in Gower are some fourteen in number, and are found at Bishopston, Cheriton, Ilston, Llandewi, Llangewydd, Llanmadoc, Nicholaston, Oxwich, Oystermouth, Pennard, Penrice, Porteynen, Reynoldston, and Rhossily, Like the churches, they possess a strong family likeness. The majority are square or oblong, the others cylindrical or octagonal. The dates of the Gower fonts are most likely of the same period as the churches, that is, about the time of the Norman occupation. The fonts are mostly very plain, but that at Pennard is somewhat more adorned, having an arcade, and that at Oystermouth is scalloped at the base of the square bowl. They were well illustrated by a series of clear photographs.

The second paper was by Mr. H. Syer Cuming " On Pin-Lore and the Waxen Image," and dealt fully with the pin as found in story, omen,

Many quaint rhymes

and proverb, and as an instrument of spite. relating to the power of the pin were quoted. The dark and dismal superstition of pin-pricking the waxen image of any person it was desired to injure was related with many references to particular cases, from which it appeared that this form of superstition was still practised, even as late as the first quarter of the present century.

APRIL 19TH, 1899.

THOS. BLASHILL, ESQ., HON. TREASURER, V.-P., IN THE CHAIR.

Thanks were ordered by the Council to be returned to the donors of the subjoined presents to the library :

To the Society of Antiquaries, London, for "Proceedings," Nov. 1897, to June 1898.

Royal Archæological Institute for "Journal," vol. lv, No. 220,
December, 1898.

Royal Dublin Society for "Scientific Proceedings," April,
August, and November, 1898.

Smithsonian Institute for "A Select Biography of Chemistry,"
1492-1897.

Cambridge Antiquarian Society for "Proceedings," No. 40,

1899.

Mr. Patrick announced that the Congress would be held at Buxton from the 17th till the 22nd of July, inclusive.

Mr. Dack read a paper on "Old Peterborough Customs and their Survival." He said that Peterborough, the city of the Fens, has perhaps more curious old customs still surviving than any other city in England. The Fens naturally lent themselves to the growth of superstition, and many of the habits and practices dealt with in the paper perhaps had their origin in the desire to scare away the evil spirits supposed to haunt the Fens. The curfew bell is still rung at Peterborough, and the cathedral is thought to be the only one where the old and correct order of processions is properly preserved. The magistrates of Peterborough are proud of possessing the privilege of condemning a murderer to death without sending him to the assizes for trial by judge and jury. The privilege is said to be recognised, but should it ever be exercised, a special Act would be passed to do away with it. No execution has taken place in Peterborough since the commencement of this century. Until about thirty-five years ago, a sedan chair was in constant use to convey old ladies to church,

concert, or party. The chairmen belonged to a family who had been chairmen for many generations. An interesting document was exhibited by Mr. Dack, being the "Bailiff of the City of Peterborough's Right to return Members to serve in Parliament," dated 1728. This paper will be published.

The Rev. H. J. D. Astley read a paper by Miss Russell on "Some Recent Observations on the Vitrified Forts and Drystone Brochs in the North of Scotland and Elsewhere."

The paper elicited considerable discussion, the Chairman remarking that it was not the first time that the subject of vitrified forts had been brought before the Association, but more evidence of the vitrification was required. The Brochs near Glasgow were very similar in shape to a modern limekiln, and were probably coeval with the Roman occupation-numerous coins, glass, and pottery of that age being found in them. The whole subject had been exhaustively dealt with by Dr. Dalrymple Duncan in 1889.

Mr. Gould said that they were not necessarily to be taken as early work. In several instances, pieces of Roman tile had been found in their construction.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.

WEDNESDAY, 3RD MAY, 1899.

THOS. BLASHILL, Esq., V.-P., IN THE CHAIR.

The Ballot was declared open, and, after the usual interval, was taken, with the following result:

President.

Vice-Presidents.

Ex officio-THE DUKE OF NORFOLK, K.G., E.M.; THE DUKE OF SUTHERLAND, K.G.; THE MARQUESS OF BUTE, K.T., LL.D.; THE MARQUESS OF RIPON, K.G, G.C.S.I.; THE EARL OF MOUNT-EDGCUMBE; THE EARL NELSON; THE EARL OF NORTHBROOK, G.C.S.I.; THE RIGHT REVEREND LORD BISHOP OF ELY, D.D.; THE RIGHT REVEREND THE LORD BISHOP OF PETERBOROUGH; THE LORD MOSTYN; SIR CHARLES H. ROUSE BOUGHTON, BART.; COLONEL SIR WALTER WILKIN.

Rev. H. J. Dukinfield Astley, Hon. Sec., read the following Secretaries' Report for the year ending December 31st, 1898. "The Honorary Secretaries have the honour of laying before the Association, at the Annual Meeting held this day, their customary Report on the state of the Association during the year 1898."

"1. The number of Associates remains at about the normal standard. There was an addition of twenty-one names to the Roll in 1898, but this was balanced by the removal of nineteen names through death or resignation. More results were hoped for from the Congress at Peterborough than were obtained, and it is to be earnestly wished that the Congress to be held at Buxton this year may be productive of a larger accession of new members. The Hon. Secretaries would once more urge upon the Associates the duty of doing their utmost to enlist more wide-spread interest and support.

"2. Obituary Notices of the Associates whom we have lost by

death have been, as far as possible, prepared from materials submitted to the Editor, and will be found in those parts of the Journal set apart for that purpose.

"3. During the year a considerable number of valuable presents have again been made to the library of the Association. It is highly desirable that some steps should be taken to render what is now a most important vehicle for research useful to members.

"4. Twenty-two of the more important papers which were read at the Conway Congress, and during the winter session in London, have been printed in the Journal for 1898, which is illustrated with seventy-four plates and process blocks. This has proved a considerable item in the expenses of the Association; but it is hoped that the number of illustrations may be kept up, as authors of papers are in many cases willing themselves to defray the necessary expenses.

"The Hon. Secretaries are glad to announce that they have in hand a considerable number of papers relating to the Peterborough Congress, and papers read during the present session in London. These have been accepted for publication in the Jounal as circumstances permit.

"5. The Hon. Secretaries would again remind the local members of Council and Associates generally of the importance of laying before the meetings, or of transmitting to the Editor from time to time, early accounts of fresh discoveries, or notices of any interesting researches. Thanks are due to those who have contributed such notices during 1898.

"GEORGE PATRICK

"H. J. DUKINFIELD ASTLEY

:

Mr. S. Rayson, Sub-Treasurer, presented the Balance Sheet, which was accepted. Mr. Rayson said :—“ As regards the Receipts for the year, I regret having to report a falling-off of £21 58 7d., as compared with the total receipts of the previous year. Although the subscriptions showed a small increase of £3 2s. Od., there was a decrease in the sale of publications of £13 15s. 6d. and £10 12s. 7d. in the proceeds of the Congress.

With reference to the Expenditure for the year, it exceeded the Income by £67 3s. 8d., and was £69 12s. 3d. more than the Expenditure of 1897. This was principally accounted for by the increased amount expended on the production of the Journal, i.e., for printing and illustrations. The result being, that whereas the year commenced with a nett balance of £27 7s. 7 d. in favour of, it closed with a balance of £39 16s. 1d. against, the Association.