Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 1.djvu/209

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
PRESERVING THE HISTORICAL MONUMENTS OF FRANCE.
191

work describing the stained glass (not less than 9000 square yards) still existing in the diocese of Limoges, promising also in addition to his notice on enamels (published in the sixth volume of the "Bulletin Monumental" of the Society) an account of not fewer than 57 Byzantine reliquaries, which he saw at the late septennial exhibition of relics at Limoges, and of which some—donations from the kings of Jerusalem—strongly illustrate the introduction of Byzantine architectural ornamentation into France. Next followed a communication from the Minister of the Interior expressing his willingness to accord the aid requested by the Society for the restoration of King René's tomb at Angers. M. du Moncel then gave an excellent report, accompanied with a monumental chart, upon the Celtic, Roman, religious, military, and civil, antiquities around Cherbourg. Among Celtic monuments were noticed a gallery (allée couverte) at Bretteville, nearly sixty feet long by three in breadth and height: an immense logan or rocking-stone; and various other Druidical stones and barrows. Of middle-age antiquities were described the twelfth-century churches of Octeville, Martinvast, and Tollesast, and the ruined chapels at Surtainville and at Querqueville (figured by Cotman), and two churches of the thirteenth century at Gouberville and Biville, in which latter are still preserved a chasuble and chalice given to it by St. Louis. A memoir was then read on that strange inexplicable sculpture sometimes found in churches, and a report on the government restorations going on at Mont St. Michel, Some curious stone circles were then exhibited, similar to those described by Dr. Legrand, of St. Pierre sur Dives, with an account of certain discoveries at Avranches, proving that city to be the Ingena of the Peutinger table.

The Society having then decided as to what reparations were most necessary to be undertaken near Cherbourg, terminated its session there by a vote of thanks to M. de Caumont, for having individually purchased and so rescued from destruction, the ground on which stands the magnificent doorway to the refectory of the abbey of Savigny.

The first meeting of the Society at Lyons was on the 5th of September, during the session of the Congres Scientifique de France, M. de Caumont acting as president, on account of the absence of the cardinal on clerical duties. Business was opened by a narration of the origin of the Society and of the good works that it had already accomplished, and of which the assembly testified its approbation by loud applause. Reports were then severally made on the historical monuments in the province of the Lyonnois, M. Branche requesting aid towards the restoration of a church in the Romano-Auvergnat style, and of one of the 14th century remarkable for a Dance of Death painted on its walls, and for being a good architectural example of a church suited to a village congregation. The church is also interesting on account of its tower still retaining (in accordance with an ancient canon) an Altar dedicated to St. Michael, and the contents of the tomb of a prioress lately found, viz., the remains of a hempen shroud, some partly burnt tapers of yellow wax, fragments of inscribed parchment, ivory beads, and a gilt wooden crozier. The discovery of some Merovingian tombs at Ville sur