What was the state and progress of sculpture in the 15th and 16th centuries in Anjou, Touraine, Le Maine, and their vicinity; and what is the history of the schools of art there?

What influence had Abraham Bosse, of Tours, on the art of engraving?

What was the process employed for decorative painting in wax besides that of dissolving it by various saline substances, and by oils ?

What are the comparative advantages of the arts of painting in distemper, in fresco, and in wax?

[Other scientific questions to be discussed at this meeting, will relate-1. to Natural Science; 2. Agriculture, Industry, and Commerce; 3. the Medical Sciences; 4. Literature and the Fine Arts; and 5. Physical and Mathematical Science. And meetings of the French Archæological Society will take place at Angoulème, on Sept. 15th, 16th, and 17th, and at Limoges on the 20th, 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, to all which English travellers are specially invited, on the contribution of 10 francs, which will also entitle them to the "Compte-Rendu" of the Session.] Athenæum.

W. BROMET, M.D.

SUSSEX ARCHEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

July 1. The general annual meeting of this society was held at Chichester, the Bishop of Chichester in the chair. W. H. Blaauw, esq. as secretary, read the accounts, and pronounced the society to be in a flourishing state, both as respected funds, and the increase of new members.

The Rev. P. Freeman, Principal of the Diocesan Theological College, read a short paper on some of the characteristics of Chichester cathedral.

Mr. Britton read a paper on the Market Cross at Chichester, erected by Bishop Story in the year 1500.

The Rev. L. V. Harcourt read a long paper on Celtic antiquities, which displayed great research, and many just and reasonable conclusions.

Mr. Dixon produced a large British urn, found at Storrington in the year 1826. It was discovered, as such relics generally are, in an inverted position, and contained a quantity of bones, which had doubtless, as was the custom of the period, been placed in the usual coarse cloth, for the brass pin, or wire, used to fasten the cloth together, was found in the urn. The urn, which is 21 inches high, was shown to the late Sir R. C. Hoare, and pronounced by him to be one of the finest he had seen. It is engraved in Horsfield's History of Sussex, ii. 160.

The Rev. G. Shiffner commenced the reading of an interesting paper on St.

Mary's Hospital, Chichester, which he subsequently finished on the spot.

Mr. Blaauw produced the will, made in 1253, of Richard, Bishop of Chichester, who was afterwards canonized, and the subject of whose interment and monument have been discussed in some recent numbers of our Magazine. The bishop directed that his body should be buried in the nave of the church, near the altar of St. Edmund, which was situated in the north part of the church; there doubtless he was then interred, but his tomb was now found in the south part. The bishop distributed his library to different parts of Sussex. The gospels of St. Luke and St. John he gave to the Franciscan Friars of Lewes; St. Matthew and St. Mark he gave to the Franciscan Friars at Winchelsea; other books he bequeathed to the Dominican Friars. He left, among a variety of bequests, 50 marks to his brother-in-law to go to the holy land in his place, &c. &c. One passage of the will is very extraordinary with respect to the king, who had deprived him for two years of his benefice, and received the amount derived from it. This the bishop could never get returned to him, and he declared that, if his executors were not paid, he would lay the case before the Most High. The threat did not succeed in frightening the money out of Henry; but after his death, on his son Edward visiting Chichester, he paid 2007. to the executors, for the release of his father's soul.

The company afterwards visited the cathedral, the palace chapel, and St. Mary's Hospital.

About 150 ladies and gentlemen sat down to dinner at the Wheatsheaf Inn, the Lord Bishop in the chair; and the Mayor (Mr. Mason), in reply to his health being drank, expressed his hope to see the time when the Cross of Chichester would be restored. If they would only give him money enough to restore one octagon, he was satisfied the money for the other seven would pour in.

ANCIENT CHURCH PAINTINGS.

The Chapel of Eton College has been recently wholly dismantled, in order to receive a complete internal renovation. On removing the stalls, the organ-screen, and the wainscoting of what has recently been part of the ante-chapel, some very remarkable paintings have been discovered, both on the north and south walls, and extending about half way down the chapel from the west end. There were originally on either side two rows of eight paintings each, separated by painted niches, in which female saints are figured,

are,

very elegantly designed each picture having an inscription in black letter below it, describing the subject represented. Those compartments which were in the centre on each side have been wholly defaced, from the walls having been painted over where the stairs to the organ-loft were situated. The other paintings remain in various states of completeness or imperfection, having suffered in places from the removal or chiselling of the masonry, from wanton injury, or the erection of modern monumental tablets. The subjects of the pictures are taken either from the Legenda Sanctorum or from Vincentius, the author of a popular cyclopædia of the fifteenth century, whose books and chapters are quoted in the inscriptions in Arabic numerals. These inscriptions on the whole, more perfect than the paintings themselves, and have been carefully decyphered: and very accurate drawings of the paintings have been taken by Mr. R. H. Essex, at the expense of the College, on the scale of one inch to a foot. From the superiority of these paintings as works of art,-in the contour of the figures, the expression of the countenances, and in the management of the drapery, they have been attributed to Florentine artists. From the costume there can be no doubt that they were executed in the reign of Edward the Fourth, shortly after the erection of the chapel. Some painting imitating various marbles has been made over the ends of them towards the east, and in another place appear the fluted lines of Corinthian columns, the latter possibly dating with the repairs made under the superintendance of Sir Christopher Wren. We understand Mr. Essex's drawings will be submitted to the Society of Antiquaries on their re-assembling in November. In the mean time Mr. Essex will publish lithographic prints of some of the most interesting heads, which he has traced in their original size, and which will convey an excellent idea of the art displayed by the designer.

Two other discoveries of a similar nature have been recently brought under the notice of the British Archæological Association. They are the more ordinary subjects of the Last Judgment and St. Christopher, each found in its accustomed spot, the former over the chancel arch and the latter over the south door. The Judgment scene has occurred in Great Waltham church, Essex. Mr. Fairholt, on visiting the church, found the entire surface of the walls covered with frag

ments of painting, which had become revealed in the process of removing many coatings of whitewash. The most perfect is situated immediately over the arch of the chancel, in a space about 9 feet high by 15 in width. In the centre is placed the Saviour seated on a rainbow exhibiting his wounds; above him, are attendant angels playing the trumpet and lute, with the sun and moon over their heads. On the right a group of six crowned female figures, the foremost of which is regally attired, and has a nimbus round the head. This group is in a fair state of preservation, but that on the other side is not; it consists of the same number of male figures in attitudes of adoration, and their costume, and the general style of the drawing, appears to fix the date of the picture to the middle of the 15th century. It is painted in distemper, in flat tints, with bold black outlines, and is situated immediately over the place where the roodloft formerly stood, a stair in the wall leading to it still existing in the wall. Fragments of other figures are visible in various other parts of the church, as well as symbols of the Evangelists and inscriptions. Where these do not occur the walls have been painted with a deep chocolate tint, upon which flowers and stars have been stencilled.

The St. Christopher has been found at Shawell, in the Isle of Wight. It represented his gigantic figure, with a staff, bearing on his shoulder, across an arm of the sea, the infant Saviour. On the right side of this group were two figures on horseback; one with a crown on his head and crossing a dyke or brook, with another figure in the foreground, apparently warning them of the danger of a precipice immediately before them. On the other side appeared a man tied to a tree, and supposed to represent St. Sebastian, his body being pierced with arrows. From this figure issued a double stream of arrows, one of which enters the eye of another figure. The characters introduced were in the costume of the time of Richard II., with the long-pointed shoe of that period. Other figures were represented variously employed, in the several sports of which St. Christopher was the patron. In one part was a figure with shoes of enormous length, sitting on the bank engaged in fishing. A fac. simile copy of this painting, which has been defaced, has been communicated to the Archæological Association, by Mr. Dennet.

HOUSE OF LORDS.

June 21. The Archbishop of Dublin moved the second reading of a Bill he had introduced to remove the restriction placed by the Irish Church Temporalities Act on the prerogative of the Crown, relative to the appointment of Bishops to any of the suppressed IRISH SEES. The Bill was supported by the Bishop of Exeter, and opposed by the Marquess of Lansdowne, who objected that it would disturb a settlement made fourteen years ago, and which was intended to proportion the epis. copal establishment in Ireland to the wants of the Protestant population; and, seeing that that population did not exceed in amount that of two English sees, he saw no necessity for any augmentation in the number of Bishops.-The Archbishop of Dublin withdrew his Bill, as he saw no use in pressing it against the opposition of the Government.

June 22. In Committee on the BiSHOPRIC OF MANCHESTER Bill Lord Redesdale moved the omission of clause 2, providing that the number of Spiritual Peers should not be increased; which he did to protect both the prerogative of the crown and the privileges of the peerage. The Lord Chancellor remarked there was a precedent for the succession of the new prelates to seats in that House by rotation, in the case of the Irish Bishops.-The Bishop of London thought the course taken by the Government was the one least open to objection or inconvenience; as, by it, the want so generally felt of an increased number of Bishops would be supplied, without increasing the number of Spiritual Peers in that House. -The Committee divided, and the numbers were, for the original clause, 44; for the amendment, 14. The remaining clauses of the Bill were then agreed to.

July 2. In Committee on the POOR LAW ADMINISTRATION Bill Lord Redesdale moved the omission of clause 10, as it threw a large amount of patronage into the hands of Government, at a time which was most objectionable, the eve of a general election. After a short conversation the House divided, and the numbers were, for the clause, 16; for the amendment, 14.-On clause 23, prohibiting the sepa ration of married couples over sixty years of age, being read, Lord Stradbroke said

the board of guardians ought to have a discretionary power. The clause, after a short discussion, was expunged from the Bill. The remaining clauses were then agreed to.

July 15. The Marquess of Lansdowne moved the third reading of the POOR LAW ADMINISTRATION Bill.-Lord Brougham moved an amendment that it should be read that day six months. The House divided, for the third reading, 32, against it, 10; and the Bill was passed.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

June 21. Mr. Strutt announced that, in consequence of the great length of the RAILWAYS BILL, which stood for a second reading that evening, and the intention of hon. members connected with the great railway companies to offer it a strenuous and protracted opposition, the Government could not hope to carry it at this late period of the session.

June 22. A repeal of the COPPER DUTIES was proposed by Mr. Muntz, and seconded by Mr. Ewart.-The Chancellor of the Exchequer said the finances of the country were not in a condition to permit him to sacrifice any duties producing revenue. The House divided-For the motion, 19; against it, 59.

June 23. Mr. Spooner's Bill for the SUPPRESSION OF SEDUCTION AND ProsTITUTION passed through committee, and on a division, on the question whether the measure should be proceeded with, the numbers were,-For proceeding with the Bill, 81; against it, 26: majority for the Bill, 55.

A Bill introduced by Mr. Bankes for the repeal of a great part of the Poor REMOVAL ACT of last session, was rejected on a division. The numbers were -For the Bill, 102; against it, 105.

June 24. Sir G. Grey moved the third reading of the POOR LAW ADMINISTRATION Bill; and Mr. Wakley moved as an amendment that it should be read a third time on that day three months. A more unconstitutional measure, he said, or one more injurious to the interests of the poor, could not be conceived. It was a desperate effort to maintain the obnoxious, tyrannical, and cruel Poor Law Amendment Act, by substituting ● com

mission composed of members of the Government for the present commissioners, who had been universally condemned. After some debate the House divided For the third reading, 105; against it, 35 majority in favour of the Bill, 70.Mr. Spooner moved additional clauses, prohibiting the commissioners from issuing any rules or orders against granting out-door relief to the able-bodied poor; and a second division took place,-For the clauses, 37; against them, 109.Mr. P. Borthwick proposed a clause to enact that husband and wife above sixty years of age should not be compelled to live separate and apart from each other in a workhouse. After some discussion, Lord J. Russell moved, as an amendment, the addition of words giving a discretion to guardians. On this the House divided, and the numbers were-For Lord J. Russell's amendment, 55; against it, 70: ma. jority in favour of the clause, and against Ministers, 15. The clause was read a third time, and added to the Bill. Mr. Etwall moved the following clause :-"That all meetings of boards of guardians be opened to the ratepayers of their respective unions." -Sir G. Grey assented to the proposal, and the clause was agreed to.-Mr. Bankes proposed a clause to the effect that six months after the passing of the act all the existing laws and regulations of the poorlaw commissioners should cease and determine. His object was that every law and regulation should be the act of the new officers.-Sir G. Grey thought the clause unnecessary, on the ground that the commissioners would be responsible for any regulations which should continue in force. The House divided,- For the clause, 35; against it, 71.-Mr. T. Duncombe moved the insertion of words requiring the secretaries to the new commission to vacate their seats in Parliament on their appointment.-Sir G. Grey opposed the motion, as a departure from the usual practice.-The House divided, -For the motion, 32; against it, 71: majority against the clause, 39.-Mr. Wakley proposed to limit the operation of the act to one instead of five years, that the next Parliament might decide whether the measure ought to be renewed.--Sir G. Grey opposed the motion, observing that the House had already affirmed “five" against an amendment for "three" years, avowedly proposed with the view of defeating the Bill. The House again divided For the motion, 26; againt it, 71. The Bill then passed.

June 25. In Committee on the HIGHWAYS Bill, Mr. Buck moved an amendment for placing the highways under the control of the justices at quarter sessions

instead of the central commissioners proposed by the Bill. The amendment was opposed by Sir G. Grey. The committee divided, and the numbers were-For the amendment, 50; against it, 48: majority in favour of the amendment and against the Government, 2.-Sir G. Grey then withdrew the Bill.

On the order of the day for the re-commitment of the THAMES CONSERVANCY Bill, Mr. Hume objected to the present system under which the river was managed. The City had neglected its duty, and therefore was not entitled to have the conservancy. He consequently moved an address to her Majesty, praying that immediate steps be taken for the improvement of the river Thames. After a short discussion, the House divided :-For the motion, 92; for the amendment, 24: majority, 68. The Bill was then re-committed to the former Committee.

June 28. The Chancellor of the Exchequer moved the second reading of the RAILWAYS (IRELAND) (No. 2) Bill, sanctioning an advance of 620,0001. by way of loan, in aid of the construction of the Great Southern and Western Railway in Ireland.-Sir W. Molesworth moved, as an amendment, that the Bill should be read a second time on that day three months. The House then divided,-For the second reading, 175; against it, 62.— The Bill was then read a second time.

July 1. The order of the day for going into committee on THE HEALTH OF TOWNS Bill was opposed by Mr. Palmer. The House divided,-For the committee, 117; against, 26.-In committee on clause 1, for appointing commissioners, Lord Morpeth said it was his intention to reduce the number of commissioners from five, as originally intended, to four, one of whom only was to receive a salary. The committee divided,-For the clause, 100; against it, 28. The clause was then agreed

to.

July 2. Lord J. Russell moved the second reading of a Bill to suspend the NAVIGATION LAWS, until March, 1848.

Lord G. Bentinck said the Bill would be most injurious to the shipping interest, and also to the navy; he therefore moved as an amendment, that the Bill be read a second time that day three months. After a short discussion, Lord G. Bentinck withdrew his amendment, and the Bill was then read a second time.

In committee on the HEALTH OF TOWNS Bill, Lord Morpeth pledged himself, if he had the opportunity next session, to introduce a Bill for the sanitary improvement of the city of London.-On the 13th clause, excluding London from the operation of the Bill, Mr. Dugdal

moved the omission of the clause. The committee divided, and the numbers were -For the clause, 112; for the amendment, 70. The clause was then agreed to. The DRAINAGE OF LAND (IRELAND) Bill, and the NEW ZEALAND Bill, went through committee.-The HOLYHEAD HARBOUR Bill was read a third time and passed, as was also the SEDUCTION AND PROSTITUTION SUPPRESSION Bill.

July 5. The case of the Ex-RAJAH OF SATTARAH was brought forward by Mr. Hume, who stated that in 1818, after the Mahratta war, the rajah was placed on the throne, and an independent sovereignty was secured by treaty to him and his successors for ever. The rajah had afterwards been deposed and exiled to Benares on charges of having attempted to seduce some officers of the 23d Native Regiment from their allegiance, and of having traitorously corresponded with the Portuguese at Goa. Mr. Hume maintained that these charges were founded on forgery and subornation; and complained that the East India Company had constantly refused a trial to the rajah, who was in a position to establish his innocence. In conclusion, he moved for a committee to inquire into the case.-Mr. Ewart seconded the motion, and the debate was adjourned to the next day, when Sir J. C. Hobhouse justified the conduct of the British Government. He said the ex-rajah had never been an independent prince, but a prince created by British power, and subjected to certain conditions. He had violated the conditions, and had been convicted of treachery. He had been therefore deposed, but he was allowed upwards of 12,000/. a year by the East India Company, and had no cause whatever for complaint. On a division the numbers were,-For Mr. Hume's motion for inquiry, 23; against it, 44.

July 7. Mr. Walpole's Bill for simplifying the REGISTRATION of Parliamentary electors was postponed.-A Bill introduced by Sir De L. Evans, for altering the RATE-PAYING clauses of the Reform Act, was lost on a division. The numbers were-For the Bill, 67; against it, 72 majority against the Bill, 5.

::

July 8. The HEALTH OF TOWNS Bill was withdrawn by Lord J. Russell.

In Committee on the IRISH RELIEF measures the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave a detailed account of the relief afforded. He said that the whole amount expended and to be expended up to the close of the proposed operations would amount to 9,350,0001. being 650,000. under what he had originally calculated. Of this sum 3,700,000l. was on loan, 1,270,000, on the security of lands and

works of utility, and 4,380,000l. grants. He maintained that the operations were eminently successful, and that the condition of Ireland was very materially im. proved.-The resolution was agreed to.The Chancellor of the Exchequer then proposed a resolution to exonerate certain counties in Ireland, liable for the cost of public works and drainage, from the payment of one-half the amount.-Agreed to.

July 9. In Committee of supply, the Chancellor of the Exchequer moved that a vote of 182,2001. be granted to defray the expenses incident to the ADMINISTRATION OF THE POOR-LAW. The salary of the paid commissioner was to be 2,0007. a year, and the secretaries were to be paid 1,5001. a year each. The effect of this arrangement would be a saving of 4,0007. a year. Agreed to.

July 12. Lord John Russell announced that, in consequence of a communication from the Duke of Wellington, the Government did not intend to remove the EQUESTRIAN STATUE of his Grace from the arch in Piccadilly.

Mr. Hawes moved the second reading of the NEW ZEALAND Bill. There was in future to be a special commissioner for the affairs of the New Zealand Company; Her Majesty's Treasury was empowered to advance 136,000l. in three years; and the company was empowered to dispose of their lands for repayment of the loan. The Bill enabled the company to relinquish their undertaking in 1850, in case of their failure, in which case the State would have the security of one million acres of land for the money advanced.The Bill was read a second time without a division.

The Attorney-General moved the committal of the BANKRUPTCY AND INSOLVENCY Bill. This Bill, which had passed the Lords, had two objects in view: the first was the abolition of the Court of Review, and the second was the transfer of the powers of the Commissioners of Bankruptcy in insolvency to the Commissioners of the Insolvent Court and the Judges of the new County Courts.-Sir James Graham, though he concurred in the latter portion of this Bill, must object to the former portion of it, which undid everything that had been already done to separate Bankruptcy from the Great Seal. On his motion for the erasure of the first clause, it was car ried by 44 to 37; another division took place on the second clause, which was carried by 47 to 40.

July 13. Lord John Russell moved the second reading of the BISHOPRIC OF MANCHESTER Bill, which he said had been introduced on the recommendation of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. Great