The questions on ancient Military Architecture elicited much interesting matter from the military members present: and M. de Caumont demonstrated by drawings the great irregularity, in plan, of castles built on rocky eminences—like those near the Moselle and the Rhine—and of castles in lower situations—like many in the west and north of France, and in England. He also contrasted the massive square keep of Newcastle in Northumberland, and of some castles on the Loire—which are at once citadels and stately baronial residences—with the narrow watch-tower keeps of such castles as derive their chief security from the escarpment of their sites. The learned Director was moreover of opinion that most of the castles on a line from Bordeaux through Poitou and Normandy to Amiens, and even into England, were planned after Moorish types in Spain; and appealed for corroboration of his opinion to the writer of this account, who thereupon took occasion to say a few words also about Vitrified forts, Scotch Peels, and Irish round-towers.
A paper upon Vaulting by M. de Lassaulx, of Coblenz, was then read; its ingenious author elucidating the intricacies of his subject by references to the treatises of Mr. Samuel Ware in the Archæologia, and of Professors Whewell and Willis; and also to a series of plaster models, which he afterwards presented to the Society.
In explanation of the questions on the architectonic decoration and furniture of churches, several drawings were exhibited by the Director, among which was a stone cross attached to the church-wall at Montmille, in Picardy, like that at Romsey in Hampshire. But no examples of such were known in Lorraine, and only two or three of Christ sitting in the benedictional attitude so common over doorways in other parts of France. Ancient altars, and fonts, and bells of ovoid shape, were also said to be rare; and the clergy present were therefore requested to use their influence in preserving them.
Queries by Mr. J. O. Westwood were then presented through Dr. Bromet, relative to church-yard crosses adorned with knotted work and figures of serpent-shape; which queries, it is probable, will be considered at the next annual meeting of the Society at Nevers.
A memoir was read on the Book of the Evangelists, and on a chalice and paten which belonged to Arnald, bishop of Toul, in the 9th century: and drawings were shewn, with a recommendation of their form for new sacramental plate in churches of Romanesque style.
Drawings were also shewn of two processional crosses of the 12th and 14th centuries in Metz cathedral, which, with other costly works of mediæval art—a cope (called Charlemagne's) of red silk embroidered with golden eagles—the ancient mass-books with their musical notation—and the stained glass there—were afterwards examined, as well as a large modern window destined for Lyons cathedral: of the last-named work the Society did not express much approbation.
Among the minor churches visited was a Templars' church now within the precincts of the citadel, and till lately used as a magazine. Of this the writer took a plan and elevation, it being remarkable—when compared with
