The Treasurer in account with the Norfolk and Norwich Archæological Society.

Cr.

General Account

0

45

Audited by me, 18th Feb., 1868, J. H. DRUERY.

NORFOLK AND NORWICH

Archæological Society.

REPORT FOR 1868.

READ FEBRUARY 24TH, 1869.

THE Norfolk and Norwich Archæological Society has now reached the close of its twenty-third year; and the Committee have no reason to think that its labours have been unrewarded, or its usefulness diminished. In this, as in all other scientific pursuits, every year's advancement calls for a wider range of knowledge, and more accurate investigations on the part of those who follow them. Every year it is more plainly seen that the field of study is enlarged and deepened, and inseparably connected with other branches of learning; and although our limits are nominally confined to a small area, the line cannot be drawn between them, and a far more comprehensive range of observation, of which the results that may hereafter be deduced, and the conclusions that may be arrived at, are of no small importance. This must have been very evident to those of our Members who attended the International Congress of Pre-historic Archæology held here last year, during the Meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. It cannot be doubted that the researches of such a body of the most learned men in Europe in this particular field, must

be of great value in a science such as pre-historic antiquity, which may be said to be yet only in its infancy; and whether we are disposed to agree with their views or not, the opportunity of attending their Meeting at Norwich, and reading the Papers that were then communicated, is one which none of our Members can afford to forget.

The occurrences of this Meeting, and that of the British Association, together with the circumstance of a General Election engrossing public attention in the past year, combined to make the operations of our own Society less prominent than usual. One Excursion Meeting was held, in conjunction with the sister Society of Suffolk, and an interesting round of churches was visited between Haddiscoe and Lowestoft, including the curious and apparently very early ruin of Flixton. A few articles exhibited at this Meeting are worthy of further notice and illustration, viz., some fine British Swords, discovered in the dry bed of the lake at Saham, near Watton, exhibited by Mr. Grigson; and a Seal of the Hundred of Lothingland, found last year, and produced by Mr. Fitch.

The Committee have the pleasure of informing the Members that the Royal Archæological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland have very handsomely offered to present to our Society the back volumes of its Journal, Vol. VII. to XXIII., inclusive, and to exchange with us our respective publications in future. This liberal proposal has been gladly accepted, and the numbers are being put into covers, at our Society's expensc. We may also congratulate ourselves that the Royal Archæological Institute intend visiting East Anglia this year, their Annual Meeting for 1869 being arranged to be held at Bury St. Edmunds.

It will be remembered that after the publication of the Society's Illustrations of Randworth Screen, it was agreed to proceed in the same manner with the drawings of that in Barton Turf church. These consist of six figures on one

screen and four on another, and are quite ready for issue, only awaiting a letter-press description which has been promised by Mr. Gunn. Another screen, that belonging to Hunstanton church, which the Members will recollect. inspecting in a fragmentary state at the Vicarage, when they met there in 1867, is about to be replaced in the church if the Vicar can obtain the requisite funds; and as much interest was expressed in its fate by those who saw it, it may be hoped that some of them will be disposed to contribute to a judicious restoration.

It is gratifying to the Committee to state that Mr. Munford, whose MS. volume of Norfolk Local Etymology was mentioned in the last Report as having been entrusted to their care for publication, has regained his health sufficiently to enable him to try to proceed with it himself. Whether and how our Society could assist the publication, which is much to be desired, is a matter for the consideration. of the Members and the Committee.

The Third Part of Vol. VII. of our Original Papers was issued in the past year, together with the fifth portion of the "Visitation," and the first portion of the "Norfolk Fines."

It is with very deep sorrow that the Committee have to record the unexpected loss they and the whole Society have sustained within the last few weeks by the death of the Rev. G. H. Dashwood, one of their oldest supporters, and the editor of the "Visitation." His genealogical knowledge, his industry and energy in preparing the pedigrees for the press, and his frequent liberality to the Society, make his removal a serious misfortune to us. They trust that the valuable services of other Members, well versed in the subject, will not be wanting to continue the publication of the "Visitation," which to many of the Society is of great interest. The Committee also grieve to say that two other very useful and accomplished Members of the Committee

have been removed from them by death in the past yearthe Rev. S. W. King and the Rev. Edward Gillett. They have also been deprived of the services of two others on the Committee-the Rev. G. W. W. Minns and Mr. Jeckyll, who have ceased to reside in Norfolk. On the other hand twentyone new Members have been added to the Society in the past year.

The Committee desire to propose that the Venerable A. M. Hopper, Archdeacon of Norwich, be elected into the list of Vice-presidents of the Society.

The names of the gentlemen who would have retired from the Committee this year, had we not otherwise lost their services, are Mr. Dashwood, Mr. Jeckyll, and Mr. King; the other three being Mr. Phipson, Mr. Titlow, and Mr. Morant. It is proposed to re-elect the last three, and in place of the others to request Francis G. M. Boileau, Esq., the Rev. Hinds Howell, and the Rev. W. Vincent to take office. Two more names will then be required to supply the places of Mr. Minns and Mr. Gillett, and the Committee hope to obtain the services of F. E. Watson, Esq., and W. T. Bensly, Esq.