Archaeological Journal/Volume 11/Archaeological Intelligence (Part 1)
Archaeological Intelligence.
It is known probably to most of our readers that the Trustees of the British Museum have refused to purchase the Faussett Collections, rich in Roman and Saxon remains from the tumuli of Kent, and replete with valuable illustrations of an obscure period in English history. In vain have appeals been addressed by individuals and by societies, anxious to mark their appreciation of the importance of these collections to supply a link in the chain of evidence wholly deficient in that great depository. The acquisition would have gone far towards removing the disgrace that England alone amongst European states possesses no series of National Antiquities in any public Institution; and it is highly improbable that a collection of equal value or extent should at any future time be obtained. A perverse indifference, however, has been evinced towards the interests of science and the requirements of those, who desire enlarged means of instruction in regard to the ancient conditions of the inhabitants of their own country, still to be sought in vain at the British Museum. In the administrative body of that Institution the arbitrary narrow-minded spirit of the infesta noverca has been shown towards archæological science in England, which looked so hopefully for kindly encouragement.
It is gratifying to revert to the more intelligent spirit of individual liberality, by which these collections, though lost to the national depository, have been rescued from removal to some continental museum. Mr. Mayer, of Liverpool, having added these remarkable antiquities to his extensive museum, which he has ever sought to make available to the utmost for public instruction, has determined to publish the original diaries in which the record of every discovery had been proserved. It may suffice to state that the researches of Mr. Faussett extended to upwards of 5O0 tumuli, almost exclusively of the Saxon period. In this publication an invaluable mass of material will be placed before the archæologist, accompanied by abundant illustrations; it will form a guide-book to the student of Saxon Archæology. It will be printed forthwith by subscription, and form one volume, royal 4to, The price to subscribers will be two guineas, and they are requested to forward their names to Mr. C. Roach Smith, the Editor, Liverpool Street, City.
The Annual Meeting of the Institute, to be held this year at Cambridge, under the patronage of the Vice Chancellor of the University, will commence on Tuesday, July 4, and close on Tuesday, July 11, It is requested that persons who propose to communicate any memoir to the sections, will give timely notice to the secretaries.
The Annual Meeting of the Sussex Archæological Society will take place at Winchilsea, on July 13.