52, in a character evidently of the sixteenth century, and doubtlessly standing for the date 1552, the omission of the first two figures being by no means uncommon at this period, although the practice is as old as the close of the fifteenth century. A familiar instance of this occurs in Caxton's Boke of Eneydos, printed in 1489; wherein he employs the devise of a W. C. with the numerals 74 between them, commemorative of the year 1474, in which he began to print in England. The fashion of dispensing with the first and second figures in year dates was not quite extinct even in the seventeenth century-witness the little tokens of the Boures Head in Grace Church Stre. 57,' for 1657, and the Dover Farthing 68,' for 1668. As foreign examples of such omissions, I may cite certain coins of the city of Lucca, which have only 55 and 64, for the years 1555 and 1564. Taking, therefore, into consideration the general form of these specimens, their similarity of decoration, and the date upon the example found in Farringdon-street, there appears sufficient evidence to warrant us in assigning both these specimens to the reign of Edward VI." The knife exhibited by Mr. Ellis is of an earlier period, and may perhaps be regarded as a relic knife. It was pumped up from the Thames at Billingsgate, when the foundations for the new market were constructed, some few years back. The broad flat handle of this knife (see plate 14, fig. 2) consists of a framework of brass inlaid on each side with two pieces of dark-coloured wood and two pieces of bone: both the wood and bone being probably relics connected with the legend of some holy person. The broad plate on the upper part of the haft is graven with the nimbiated figure of a female saint with very long hair; apparently intended for Mary Magdalene, bearing in her hands a somewhat large alabastrum, the "alabaster box of ointment" wherewith she anointed the person of our Saviour at Bethany whilst he sat at meat in the house of Simon the Leper; for it must be remembered that since the time of St. Gregory it has generally been believed that it was she who performed this act of affectionate piety-further investigation may, however, lead to a more definite and satisfactory appropriation of this figure. On the centre bar which divides the inlaid portion of the haft, is engraved an eye-like figure, etc.; and on the piece of brass next the blade is the heart of Jesus, the aorta looking like the foot-stalk of a leaf. On the opposite side of the upper part of the handle is engraved a long involved scroll or label; and on the part next the blade is what would seem to be an imperfectly-formed or half-obliterated shield charged with a bend. The blade is rather short in proportion to the haft, a character common to the knives of the last half of the fifteenth century, to which period, perhaps, may be assigned this exceedingly interesting specimen. There can be little doubt but that this knife once belonged to a religious establishment, and was employed for some holy service; and Mr. Cuming has suggested VOL. X. 12 that it may possibly be the lancea used in the separation of the consecrated host before its administration in the sacrifice of the mass.1 Mr. John Brent, jun., F.S.A., exhibited a grant of arms to Thomas Honeywood, of Sende, in Newington juxta Hythe, in the county of Kent, dated 18th of Elizabeth (1576), and signed by Robert Cooke, Clarencieux. Mr. Planché exhibited a helmet, the property of Mr. S. Pratt, which belonged to a very early period, and is of a description unknown either. to Mr. Planché or to Mr. Bernal. It was obtained from Kent, and some circumstances connected with it appeared to connect it with king Stephen. It will, however, be drawn and illustrated by Mr. Planché, and noticed in a future Journal, together with some other specimens which have been referred for consideration. Mr. Milward, of Thurgarton priory, sent for exhibition a rare Lincoln halfpenny. Mr. Pettigrew read a short notice he had received from Dr. Grayling, of Sittingbourne, relative to the discovery of some Roman remains at that place. He also exhibited drawings of a vase and patera, obtained in the progress of some excavations which have been necessarily suspended until the spring, when the examination will be proceeded with, and the results laid before the Association. Mr. O'Connor read a paper on "Painted Glass", and exhibited specimens belonging to various periods, illustrating his subject, however, particularly from drawings of a remarkable window in Lincoln cathedral, examined by the Association at the late Newark Congress. This paper, with its necessary illustrations, will appear in the next number of the Journal. JANUARY 25. The following associates were elected: Hon. Wm. Venables Vernon, of Christ Church, Oxford. Charles H. Savory, esq., 143, New Bond street. Mr. James Clarke, of Easton, announced the discovery of various coins at Brandeston, consisting of a penny of Edward I of the London mint; a half-groat of Elizabeth, London mint, mm1; a shilling of Charles II, 1668; and a sixpence of William III, 1696. A half-groat of Henry VIII; obv., Henric VIII D G R Age, etc., etc.; profile bust m m cross; rev., civitas Eboraci, arms and cross with cardinal's cap between T W, m m cross. A shilling of James II, 1685; and a large brass coin of one of the Roman emperors, but much corroded. At Letheringham also some coins had been found, and are now in Mr. Clarke's possession. They are: a brass token; obv., John Hill in Melton, in the field a ship; rev., in Suffolk 1 Du Cange, sub voce Lancea. Oblatæ. JH JE 1668, in the field His halfpenny. Of a smaller size; obv., John Hill in Melton, in the field a ship; rev., at the sacke shope, in the field Another, obv., John Girling, in the field a swan; rev., in Lavenham 1667, in the field and stars. A shilling of Charles I, much worn, m m a crown. A groat of Henry VIII, fine silver; obv., Henrici 8 D G Age Fra et Hyb Rex, three-quarter faced bust; rev., arms and cross, civitas Eboraci, m m illegible. At Easton, a penny of Edward II, minted at Bury St. Edmund's, had also been found. Mr. Clarke communicated that he was in possession of an iron fetterlock, found about two years since in Pound meadow, at Easton, four feet below the surface. It is much corroded; and like the one engraved in the Journal (vol. ix, p. 157, No. 3, plate 22), except that it has a brass rib on each side of the barrel which passes through the loop of the bow to form the joint. One Mr. Walter Hawkins, F.S.A., laid before the meeting a fine specimen of Roman Christian lamp, formerly in the possession of the rev. Johnson Grant. Upon this specimen, and two others exhibited by Mr. H. Syer Cuming, a paper was read, being additional remarks to those contributed by him on a former occasion. They will be arranged, and appear in a future Journal. In the meantime, the members of the Association are requested to forward any specimens which may be in their possession that they may be figured. Those presented on this occasion were of terra cotta; one bore in low relief the figure of a peacock with its tail spread out, and surmounted by three nimbi, emblematic of the Trinity. The peacock was adopted as a sacred emblem by the church at an early period, and is to be found in the catacombs at Rome sculptured upon sarcophagi, depicted in mosaic work, and it is also introduced in illuminated manuscripts, both alone, and in conjunction with the cross. of the specimens exhibited by Mr. Cuming was obtained from the catacombs; another was from Colchester; and as a specimen of Roman relic of the Christian period found in England is very interesting. The top of the lamp exhibits the sacred monogram, and the chi is in the form of St. Andrew's cross. It has the solid disc-formed ansa at the opposite end to the rostrum, and on the top of the lamp is the monogram of Jesus in low relief. The chi is decorated with an eyelet hole pattern, and is a representation of the crux gemmata, the gemmed or floriated cross of triumph. The centre subject is included within a margin, on which is impressed six doves, three on each side, with their heads directed towards the handle. These Mr. Cuming presumed to be typical of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the figulus or manufacturer having, either by accident or design, omitted one of the birds, a circumstance by no means rare in mediæval productions. The workmanship of this lamp is Byzantine. The rev. Thomas Hugo, F.S.A., exhibited a bronze fibula of the later Roman period, found in Ratcliffe Highway, in the autumn of 1852. It |