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under similar circumstances, blackened the underlying soil in each case. Singularly enough, the soil improved the deeper dug into, and a fine black vegetable mould, of much greater depth than could reasonably have been anticipated in such close proximity as we were to the bare rock overhanging the beach, had evidently been taken advantage of for sepulchral purposes. A few small bits of charcoal proved the only traces of fire noticed. Not a single coin or other piece of metal was seen, despite the most careful manipulation of the out-turned soil; and the only relics of man's handiwork observed were a few pieces of earthenware,—fragments of a red jar and large water crocks of the fourteenth-sixteenth centuries, with a piece of flat slate-coloured ware of doubtful With the exception of an odd piece found by the writer upon a former visit, this mediæval ware had been previously unnoticed upon the island. The other archæological products of the place are all of a much earlier character, being, with the exception of the Saxon cross and a few primeval flints, of Roman workmanship or imitation, pointing to the period when Hilbre was at times a place of call on passing up the Dee to the important colony of Deva. I believe these lastnamed objects were all found upon the shore here, which, they must have reached from the island top through the abrasion of the cliffs by the sea. They comprise a large sized fibula in bronze, the upper portion of which still retains most of its original blue enamel; two double buckles of different sizes, also in bronze; a spindle whorl or perforated disk of light coloured terra-cotta; and, lastly, a fine bead of blue glass, ornamented by intertwining enamelled threads of yellow and green, which, having been thrown up from a deep burrow by a rabbit, strongly confirmed, in the writer's opinion, the probability of early interments hereabout-such beads. having been found, in Kent and elsewhere, in connection with smaller ones, round the necks of skeletons of females. These

large beads, mostly now believed to be of Roman manufacture, were highly and most deservedly valued by both Saxons and Danes, not only for their strength, but more especially for their rich and beautiful colours. As yet no one has delved . into the sandy ground in which the burrow is situate (some twenty yards from the tombstone), and the probability is that the ancient cemetery (of which the writer has now confirmed the existence) may extend in several directions from his little opening trench. One strong conviction, however, remains with him after two days' excavation, namely, that a thorough examination of the archæological remains beneath the Hilbre sod will necessitate the employment of a gang of men for weeks, if not a couple of months, and he much doubts whether anybody will undertake the trouble, even if leave could be obtained, to make such an investigation.

In conclusion, it may be mentioned that a proposition has been to some extent entertained by the Dock authorities for quarrying stone at Hilbre; but it is to be hoped so suicidal a project will not be realized, as the reduction of these islands would remove the only rocky bulwarks against the strength of the tidal current and high seas-the only natural breakwater off this angle of Cheshire.

PROCEEDINGS.

SEVENTEENTH SESSION, 1864-65.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.

Free Public Library, 18th October, 1864.
PETER R. McQUIE ESQ., IN THE CHAIR.

The SECRETARY read the following

REPORT.

The labours of the Council in the year which has just closed have not been of a character to require a very detailed or special notice, the business having been carried on with accustomed success and no unusual event having occurred during the Session except the tercentenary celebration of the birth of Shakspeare.

The total number of members on the roll is 409; viz., 54 life, 182 resident, 148 non-resident, 2 lady-associate and 23 honorary members. Nineteen Papers were read at the nineteen meetings held in the Session: two were attended by a miscellaneous company, including ladies and gentlemen not members of the Society, and one of these, the Shakspeare meeting already referred to, was remarkably successful, both in respect to the great number of persons present at it and the rarity and value of the illustrative books and other objects exhibited. A full report of the meeting will appear in the Annual Volume, now nearly ready for publication; but the Council cannot omit this opportunity of offering its warm acknowledgments to the Exhibitors generally, and in particular to J. F. Marsh Esq., of Warrington, for affording to the members and their friends an opportunity of inspecting his very valuable collection of original editions of Shakspeare and other works of the Shakspeare period.

One most important duty which devolves upon the present Annual Meeting is the appointment of an Honorary Secretary in the room of the Rev. Dr. Hume, who, having been one of the chief originators of the Society in 1848, has held the office of its Honorary Secretary throughout the whole term of its existence. Previously to the last Annual Meeting, Dr. Hume tendered his resignation, but was on that

occasion prevailed upon to resume his office for another year. The Council have felt that on his retirement from duties which have been performed with so much ability and zeal, and with a success to which the prosperity of the Society bears such ample witness, it was due both to the Society and to Dr. Hume that some official recognition of those services should be made. They therefore recommend the presentation to Dr. Hume of a Diploma of Life Membership; and believing that it will be a general wish that the honours of a Society like ours should be awarded to those who have benefitted it by their labours, the Council have nominated Dr. Hume for election on the present occasion as one of the Vice-Presidents. Their anxiety as to the appointment of a suitable successor has been ended, in a manner upon which they congratulate the Society, by the consent of Nicholas Waterhouse Esq. to accept the office of its Honorary Secretary.

The interchange of serial and other publications between this Society and those in union with it has continued as heretofore; recent addi tions to the Library, chiefly from this source, have been bound and placed in the lately purchased bookcase, which is now quite full, and the succeeding Council will find it necessary to provide accommodation for those further accessions which are steadily being made. The Museum occupies a set of cases in the Gallery of Inventions and Science; it is being re-arranged under the supervision of the Curator, with the object of increasing the interest and usefulness of the collection.

In accordance with the Laws, the names of gentlemen recommended for election to the Council are submitted herewith.

COMPARATIVE ACCOUNT OF THE NUMERICAL STRENGTH OF

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It was moved by J. R. HUGHES Esq., seconded by J. H. GIBSON Esq., and resolved unanimously:

That the Report now read be adopted, and printed and circulated with the Proceedings of the Society.

It was moved by E. F. EVANS Esq., seconded by THOMAS SANSOM Esq., F.B.S.E., and resolved unanimously :

:

That the thanks of the Society be given to the Officers and Sectional Members of the Council for their services during the past Session.

It was moved by the Chairman, seconded by DAVID BUXTON Esq., F.R.S.L., and resolved unanimously:

That this Society desires to convey to the Rev. A. Hume, D.C.L., &c., &c., its cordial and special thanks for his zealous and efficient services, both as one of its founders and, from the period of its organization to the present time, as its Honorary Secretary; and, as the highest official Testimonial of its appreciation of those services which the Society can bestow, elects Dr. Hume a Life Member on and from this date.

It was moved by WILLIAM BURKE Esq., seconded by the Rev. Dr. HUME, and resolved unanimously:

That the thanks of this Society be given to J. F. MARSH Esq., of Warrington, for exhibiting to the members and their friends, at the Shakspeare Tercentenary celebration, on the 20th of April last, his valuable collection of early editions of Shakspeare and other rare works of the period.

It was moved by J. T. Towson Esq., F.R.G.S., seconded by THOMAS DAWSON Esq., M.R.C.S., and resolved unanimously :

That the thanks of the Society be given to F. J. JEFFERY Esq., F.G.H.S., for his donation of seven valuable illustrations for the Annual Volume for the past year.

A ballot having been taken for the Officers and Sectional Members of the Council, the result was announced from the chair. (See page iv.)

Thanks were voted by acclamation to the Chairman for his services during the evening, and the proceedings terminated.

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