Elizabethan monument. Progress being then made to Carisbrooke, the fine church was first visited. This was originally a building of the twelfth century, which has received additions and alterations, and in which are some interesting monuments. Thence the visitors proceeded to the well-known example of the Roman villa in the vicarage grounds, and from thence to the Castle. A careful perambulation was made, and then Mr. Parker, the cicerone of the day, discoursed upon the principal features of the structure. Any existing remains of the castle of William Fitz Osbern, the follower of William the Conqueror, are now so indistinct or overgrown with ivy that Mr. Parker pronounced that nothing earlier than the "Edwardian" period was to be seen. Returning to Newport, a most pleasant surprise awaited the party at the Town Hall, where refreshments were very liberally provided by the Mayor of the town, and greatly enjoyed. A suitable acknowledgment of this cordiality on the part of the Mayor of Newport having been moved by the Rev. F. W. Baker, and heartily responded to, the return journey was made to Southampton. At 9 P.M. a Conversazione took place in the Museum.
Thursday, August 8.
At 10 A.M. a meeting of the Section of Antiquities was held in the Hall of the Hartley Institution, the Lord Henry Scott in the chair, in the absence of Sir E. Smirke. The Rev. J. H. Austen read a memoir "On the vestiges of the early occupation of the South of England." Prefacing his observations with remarks upon the early conditions of the district, the writer discussed at some length the sepulchral remains of the earliest-known character, exhibiting numerous and well-executed drawings in illustration. Many of these showed some remarkable forms of sepulchral deposit. In the course of his observations the difficulties of obtaining water in the early native fortresses were dwelt upon by the author. A discussion ensued, in which Mr. Stevens, of Salisbury, Sir Stafford Carey, and the Rev. E. Kell took part.
The Ven. Archdeacon Wright then read an account of "The Domus Dei at Portsmouth," upon which he was writing a memoir for publication. In remarking upon this communication the Chairman spoke of the energy and skill shown by the writer in his attempts to revive the condition of this relic of a mediæval charitable foundation. Thanks having been passed to the contributors of these memoirs, and acknowledged by them, the Rev. E. Kell brought forward a resolution calling attention to the threatened destruction of the ancient earthwork known as Cæsar's Camp at Wimbledon, and strongly recommending the Council of the Institute to take such steps as might appear necessary for its preservation. This was seconded by Mr. Stevens, of Salisbury, and after being spoken to by the Rev. J. H. Austen and Mr. J. H. Parker, C.B., was put from the chair, and carried unanimously.
At noon the concluding meeting took place in the Hartley Institution, Lord Henry Scott occupying the chair in the absence of the President of the meeting, and the Mayor and Corporation attending in their robes of office. Expressing his feelings of great satisfaction at the general results of the meeting, as to the memoirs that had been read, and the excursions taken, the Chairman called upon Mr. Parker to move the first resolution.
