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ANNUAL REPORT

FOR

MDCCCLXXII.

ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE COUNCIL

OF THE

YOEKSHIEE

PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY

FOR

4

MDCCCLXXII.

PEESENTED TO THE ANNUAL MEETINO,

FEBRUARY 4tli, 1873.

YORK:

J. SOTIIERAN, BOOKSELLER, CONEYSTREET.

1 8 7 3.

T E U S T E E

THE YORKSHIRE MUSEUM.

EDWAED WILLIAM VEENON HAECOUET.

PATEONESSES

TO THE

¥tirfegljive i^ljilosopljical ^ocirtS*

HEE MAJESTY THE QHEEN.

H. E. H. THE PEINCESS OF WALES.

PATEOHS.

H. E. H. THE PEINCE OF WALES.
THE AECHBISHOP OF YOEK.

OFFICEES OF THE SOCIETY, 1873.

PEESIDENT :

His Gtkace the Archbishop of York.

VICE-PEESIDEHTS :

The Earl of Zetland, K. Gr.

The Lord Londesborough.

The Hon. & Very Eev. The Dean of York.
W. H. Eudston Eead, F. L. S.

John Phillips, F. E. S.

The Eev. Canon Hey, M. A.

Thomas Allis, F. L. S.

The Eev. John Kenrick, M. A., F. S. A.
Eobert Davies, F. S. A.

John Ford.

TEEASUEEE :

William Gray, F. E. A. S., F. G. S.

COUNCIL :

Elected 1871. .W. Procter, M. D., F. C. S.

S. W. North, F. G. S.

J. L. Foster.

John Eoper.

Elected 187^. .The Eight Hon. The Lord Mayor

(Henry Steward.)

Mr. Alderman Walker.

Eev. G. Yance Smith, B. A., Ph. D.
Alfred Ball.

Elected 1873. .Egerton Yernon Harcourt, M. A.

Eev. James Eaine, M. A.

John Kitching, M. D.

J. F. Walker, M. A., F. G. S.

HON. SECEETAEY:

T. S. Noble, F. E. A. S., F. G. S.

6

OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY.

CUEATOES :

Geology and Mineralogy .
Comparative Anatomy . .

British Ornithology . ,

Insects and Crustacea . .

Ethnographical Collection

Antiquarian Department .

Library .

Wm. Procter, M. D., F. C. S.
Thomas Allis, F. L. S.

W.H. Eudston Bead, F.L.S.
Eev. Canon Hey, M. A.

S. W. North, F. G. S.

Eev. John Kenrick, M. A.
Wm. Procter, M. D., F. C. S.
Eev. G. Yance Smith, B. A.,
Ph. D.

Botany .

Conchology .

Observatory&Meteorology,
under the care of a Committee
consisting of .

William Matterson, M. D.

S. W. North, F. G. S.

W. Gray, F. E. A. S., F. G. S.
John Ford.

Eev. Canon Hey, M. A.

T. S. Noble, F.E A.S., F.G.S.

REPORT OF THE COUNCIL

OF THE

yOEKSHIRE PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY,

Feb. 4th, 1873,

In laying before the Yorkshire Philosophical Society the
Eeport for the year 1872, the Council remind the Members
that the Institution has now reached the end -of the 50 th year
of its existence ; whilst the Council are enabled to congratulate
the Members on its progress dming this period, the present
state of the various departments as described in the Eeport will
afford ample evidence of the continued success of the Society,
and from* the financial statement appended to the Eeport, it
will be seen that financially the year has been one of more than
average prosperity.

At the close of its 50th anniversary, it may not be considered
out of place to refer retrospectively to some facts incident to the
history of the Society.

The Society was founded in the year 1822, for the promotion
of Science in the district for which it had been instituted, whilst
its more particular object was to elucidate the study of the
Geology of Yorkshme.

How faithfully and with what success these objects were pro¬
moted, the proceedings and transactions of the Society as
recorded in the Annual Eeports fully shew. Most fortunate
in the choice of its first president, the late Eev. W. Yernon
Harcourt, it was owing to his active exertions and personal in-

8

EEPOKT OF THE

fluence tliat the Society succeeded in obtaining from the Crown
the first grant of land for the present site of its Museum; and
the foimdation of the present building was laid by Archbishop
Harcourt, on the 24th of October, 1827.

If the continuance and success of the Society be chiefiy due
to Mr. Harcourt, it is to the labours of Professor Phillips, its
honoured Hoe-president, that the Society is indebted for the
early establishment of its scientific reputation.

Mr. Phillips became attached to the Society as the Keeper of
its Museum in 1826. For some years preHously he had made
the Geology of Yorkshire a special object of study, and in the
year 1829 the first edition of his “Geology of Yorkshire” was
published.

In this work Professor Phillips was one of the first to call
attention to the vast mineral deposits in the Oolitic district of
North East Yorkshire.

The Iron-stone had been known to exist in these strata for
upwards of 50 years, and had been exported in small quantities
from Whitby to Newcastle for smelting. The metal, however,
was found to be of inferior quality, and had almost ceased to be
worked.

In the Geology of Yorkshii’e Professor Phillips not only
shewed by a section, but described in his work the extraordinary
thickness and richness of the Iron-stone bands in the dliffs on
the Coast near Boulby and Skinningrove, in North East York¬
shire, a district, at the period referred to, pmely agricultural,
but now studded with furnaces and teeming with a numerous
manufacturing population.

In recalling the extraordinary and rapid rise of Middlesbro’,
and the vast trade in Iron which is now carried on in the
Cleveland district of Yorkshii’e, it is not unreasonable to sup¬
pose that discoveries of a former officer of this Society have in
all probability been the means of di’awing the attention of
capitalists and manufactmers to a soiu’ce of w^ealth which in
the last few years has added so much to the material prosperity
of this County.

The Council strongly urge upon the consideration of the
Members that if the fame of this Society as a scientific institu-

COUNCIL FOR 1872.

9

tion is to be maintained, this can only be done by a continued
interest and support on tbeir part in tlie various branches of
science taught vdthin its walls.

To Professor Phillips the Council are much indebted for many
valuable suggestions kindly made during the past year, to pro¬
mote the further usefulness of the Society.

To the Eev. J ohn Kenrick, one of the first members of the
Society, and an honoured vice-president, the Society are indebted
for a valuable collection of British, Eoman, and Mediaeval
Antiquities, secured by him at a considerable cost, and kindly
presented to the Society. A more particular statement in
reference to this donation to the antiquarian department of
the Museum will be given in the report on this department.

Antiquities. — In the department of Antiquities the Eev. J.
Kenrick reports that the excavations for the new Eailway
Station have been continued during the present year, and have
afforded additional proof of the existence there of an extensive
Eoman Cemetery. Besides Sarcophagi of gritstone, without
inscription or sculpture, two sepulchral monuments of consider¬
able interest have been brought to light, one that of ^lia
.zKliana, represents, according to the interpretation of some
antiquaries, the silicernmm, or meal taken by survivors after a
funeral, in the opinion of others, an ordinary family meal as
emblematic of the domestic relation which death has terminated.
The other monument, to a Decurion of the Colony of Eboracum
establishes the fact, not known before, that this city had a
municipal constitution in Eoman times. Some smaller articles,
such as vases of pottery, containing ashes, and others of domestic
use, have been added to the Museum, a much larger number,
probably, having passed into private hands. In the department
of mediaeval antiquities, the most remarkable addition has been
a portion of a cross found at Eipon, near the site of the old
Monastery, inscribed with the name of a presbyter, and exhibit¬
ing a symbolical ornament common in the N. E. of Scotland,
but rare or unique in England.

The most important addition that has been made to the
Department of Antiquities during the past year is the collection

10

REPORT OF THE

of Eoman and Mediaeval remains wMcIl was gathered together
dming a long series of years by the late Mr. James Cook. This
gentleman with singular industry and intelligence availed him¬
self of every opportunity of seeming every relic of ancient York
and its inhabitants, and his collection, when added to those
already stored away in our Museum, will go far towards making
that repository contain a very fair representation of the local
antiquities of the city and its vicinity. It consists of a very
large collection of Eoman and Mediaeval pottery ; among
other things the following objects may he mentioned as worthy
of more than a passing notice, e. g., several pieces of Eoman
sculptoe, including a figure in marble holding a masque in its
hand; a perfect specimen of one of those most rare leaden cinerary
vessels called technically an ossuarium ; a very choice assem¬
blage of Eoman glass ; pins, and personal ornaments in bone,
jet, iron and bronze ; a large collection of early combs, consist¬
ing of many objects of great interest and variety. It is impos¬
sible to enumerate in a brief notice like this, even all the most
prominent specimens in so extensive a gathering. To no other
place could they be more welcome than to the Museum of the
city from which they have been derived. The acquisition of
them adds another to the long list of favours that the Yorkshire
Philosophical Society has received at the hands of the Curator
of its antiquities. The Cook selection is Mr. Kenrick’s
generous gift to the Society, which he has served with hereditary
diligence, and enriched with hereditary munificence,

Gteology and Mineralogy.— The Curator reports that,
although the additions by donation to the Geological Collection
during the past year have been few in number, they are never¬
theless by no means devoid of interest. The presentations
comprise teeth of the Cave Bear and of the Ehinoceros, and
specimens of Derbyshire Carboniferous Trilobites by J. F.
Walker, Esq. To the Yorkshire Natmulists’ Club the Society
are indebted for several specimens of Trigonia ; tlu’ee are from
the Millepore bed, and one from the Kellowaway rock, and
have but recently been described by Dr. Lycett.

COUNCIL FOR 1872.

11

By purchase the Society have come into the possession of the
valuable and extensive collection of fossils made by the late Mr.
James Cook. This collection comprises nearly 2000 specimens
of organic remains from the Chalk, Kimmeridge Clay, Oolite,
Cornhrash, Lias, and other formations. Many of the specimens
are very choice, and the whole is in excellent condition, and
will, especially those from the Yorkshire beds, form a valuable
and important addition to the cases of the Museum. Having
recently come into the possession of the Society, there has not
been time for an examination of them sufficiently minute to
enable the Curator to do more than report upon them in a general
manner.

Ornithology. — The Curator of the Ornithological depart¬
ment has nothing particular to report upon, not a single
specimen of any rarity having come within his notice. The
Budston and Strickland Collections have been carefully in¬
spected by Mr. Wakefield, and where any ajipearance of moth
existed, which has been the case in a few instances in the latter
collection, the glasses were removed and the remedy applied.

A singular phenomenon has occurred at Welham, near
Malton, where Mr. Bower has some black Swans on his lake.
The pair have bred the past year, and four eggs were hatched
November 5th, the Australian summer, shewing that, though
far removed from their natural climate, they still preserved
the same instinct. The male bird sat on the nest when the
female was off ; the young birds were grey, with black beaks.

Entomology. — Insects and Crustacea. — -There is nothing in
this department which calls for special notice. The collections
are in good condition, but no addition to them has been made
during the last year.

Comparative Anatomy. — The additions to our Comparative
Anatomy during the year, are the Skeleton of Apteryx
Communis ; Trunk of the Jer Falcon ; the Wing and Leg-
bones of the Creat Penguin ; Leg Bones and Skull of the
Three-toed Sloth ; Vertebrae and feet of the Bull Frog, and the
Leg Bone of a small Emys, all presented by Thomas Allis, Esq.

12

EEPORT OF THE

CoNCHOLOGY.— The Curator of Conchology and of Ethnology
has nothing to report, no additions having been made to the
Collections,

Botany. — -The Curator reports the presentation by Mrs.
Hey, of St. Mary’s, of four fine Tree Ferns from Tasmania,
viz., three Dicksonia Antarctica and one Cyatliea cVAlhata^ which
are now thriving in the conservatory.

Libkaky. — -The Curator of the Library reports that no
addition requiring special notice has been made during the past
year. He suggests, however, the great desirableness of some
further and regular provision expressly for the wants of this
department, in order that some fair proportion of new scientific
works of importance may from time to time be added to the
shelves. To this suggestion the Council will be glad to attend
so far as possible. The Classed Catalogue of the Books, being
a work involving considerable labour, is still in progress, but
it is hoped that it will be completed in the course of the present
year.

METEOROLOGY.“The Curator, in his report, draws special
attention to the excessive quantity of the Bain -fall during the
past year. One effect of this has been to occasion landslips of
some magnitude in the Liassic and Oolitic districts of Yorkshire.
In Bunswick Bay a landslip took place, and a considerable part
of the clilf subsided towards the sea.

A still more serious subsidence has taken place in the valley
on the Southern range of the same hills, about half way between
Ampleforth and Oswaldkirk.

The surface soil here is of considerable thickness, underlaid
by a bed of strong clay resting upon hard strata, and inclined
at a considerable angle on the side of the valley. After the
heavy rains the water has percolated through the surface soil to
the clay beneath, which becoming exceedingly slippery, a
portion of land, including the high road, 154 yards in length,
has slipped a distance of 24 yards down the valley, carrying a
farm-house along with it, which is thereby rendered unsafe for
habitation, and will in all probability become a ruin.

COUNCIL LOR 1872.

13

The valley clip of these strata ought to have warned the
owners in time. If the hnilders and road- constructors had
possessed any knowledge of Greology, the catastrophe might
have been prevented altogether.

Meteorological Eeport for 1872. — The mean temperature
of the year was 1*2 above a mean of 40 years, as will be seen
by the annexed Table. The first four months were all plus of
the mean temperature, as were also July and September ; May
and October, each two degrees below a mean. In the last ten
days of March the thermometer was seven times at or below
the freezing point. The extraordinary temperature of the first
and second decades of the month more than counterbalance this
deficiency. September was also a month of extremes ; the first
and second decades were nearly 6 degrees above a mean, the
third, six degrees below. The twenty-second of the month
witnessed a heavy fall of snow, reported as far South as
Leicester, the mean temperature of the day was ten degrees
below a mean of fifty years.

METEOEOLOaiCAL EEGISTEE, YOEK, 1872.

BAROMETER.

RAIN.

THERMOMETER.

1

Highest.

Lowest.

Mean.

Inches.

Days.

Rain Mean
of 40 Years.

Mean Temp.

1

Ditto 40
AYars.

Highest.

Lowest.

Jan.

30-00

28-20

29-37

2-90

17

1-700

38-5

36-3

52

27

Feb.

30-12

29-37

29-61

2-34

20

1*470

41-7

37*8

51

33

Mar.

30-26

29-37

29*49

2-28

20

1-593

43-8

40-3

58

27

April

30-49

29-20

29-77

2-86

16

1-504

47*2

45-7

65

33

May

30*44

29-20

29-77

1*02

9

1-689

50-2

52-2

67

32

June

30-27

29-30

29-74

5-42

18

2*342

58-1

58-1

79

39

July

30-21

29-70

29-90

4-72

13

2-429

63-8

58-6

81

48

Aug.

30-31

29-51

29-86

2-64

16

2*713

59-6

59-3

76

46

Sept.

30-25

29-27

29-68

3-69

22

2-212

53-8

54-6

72

37

Oct.

30-30

29-17

29-52

4-01

23

2-424

46-6

48-1

60

32

Nov.

30-17

28-90

29*57

4-28

23

2-073

42-6

41-6

61

28

Dec.

29-85

28-50

29-36

3-69

19

1-836

38-7

38-7

48

26

30*49

28-20

29-64

39-85

216

23-985

48-7

47-6

81

26

14

eeport of the

Eain Fall.— The Eain-fall at York, in common with the
rest of England, and with the Continent of Europe generally,
greatly exceeded a mean quantity, being fifteen inches in excess
of the mean of forty years’ registration. The only approach to
this was in 1848, when thirty-six inches were registered. In
that year seven inches fell in the month of June, — February,
September and October were also much in excess. In the year
just passed, with the exception of May and a trifling deficiency
in August, every month was much above a mean. Eeturns
from Flaxton, Leeds, Ackworth, Ilkley, Malton, and Sheffield,
show a proportionate excess.

EAIN-FALL, 1872.

Malton.

Flaxton.

Bootham.

Cherry

Hill.

i

Ackworth.

Leeds.

Ilkley.

Sheffield.

Jan.

3-14

3-17

2-90

3-13

2-48

3-15

5-530

4-24

FeL.

2-25

2-15

2-34

2-59

2-18

2-57

4-222

2-79

Mar.

2-78

2-00

2-28

1-97

1-86

2-25

2-985

2-32

April

2-66

2-60

2-86

3-19

3-65

3-49

3-670

3-66

May

1-47

1-30

1-02

1-22

102

1-24

1-822

2 33

June

4-14

4-48

5-42

500

4-41

4-98

7 025

4-56

July

4-66

4.96

4-72

5-05

8-01

5-38

4-025

6-34

Ang.

2-82

2-59

2-64

3-04

2-64

2-44

5-178

2-55

Sept.

5-18

3-75

3-69

3-40

3-85

3-92

6-020

3-84

Oct.

3-92

4-32

4-01

4-10

4-41

4-42

5-610

5-42

Nov.

4-88

4-59

4-28

4-21

3-31

4-19

5-097

3-78

Dec.

3'89

3-29

3-69

3-48

3-25

3-35

4-825

3-98

41-79

39-20

39-85

40-38

41-07

41-38

56-009

45-81

Daj^s of
Rain ....

}

216

215

247

Excess of
Mean
per cent.

1 64

63

63

57

69

57

69

Wind.— The prevailing Wind of the year has been S. and
S. W., especially in the last two months, blowing from those
cjuarters thirty days out of Gl, and in the course of the year,
one hundred and fifty-three in the same directions.

OOUNCIL FOE

isn, 16

Barometer.— The atmospheric pressure, co-incident with the
extreme rain-fall, and the great prevalence of Southerly winds,
has been less than that of any one of the preceding ten years,
T6 inch below a mean. Once in November and four times in
December the mercurial column fell below 29 inches. The
lowest point in the year was 28*2 inches on J anuary 24th.

The highest point in the year was 30 *49 in April, giving a
range of 2 ’29 inches.

In June, 1872, Eobert H. Scott, Esq., M. A., F. E. S., director
of the Meteorological Office, Victoria-street, London (at the
suggestion of Professor Phillips), entered into correspondence
with the Curator of Meteorological Instruments. This resulted
in a connexion with that Office. Mr. Scott came to York,
examined our various arrangements for meteorological observa¬
tion, and, in order to secure standard accuracy, sent, free of
expense, a supply of instruments. Barometer, Thermometers,
Eain Gauge, &c., the errors of which were known and recorded.
The only stipulation on the part of the Yorkshire Philosophical
Society was to send free of cost, a telegram every morning,
Sunday excepted, at 8 a. m. to the office in London, receiving
in return each clay a chart of various Meteorological Phenomena
in Great Britian, Ireland, &c., of the preceding 24 hours. Mr.
Wakefield, by the direction of the Council, has performed the
serffice to the satisfaction of the office in London, and with
advantage to the Yorkshire Philosophical Society.

Thunder and Lightning were of frequent occurrence in J une
and July.

On the 13th of July a storm wns accompanied with a down¬
fall of 1*55 inches of Eain, and one on June 19tli by 1*37
inches. There were displays of Aurora in February, April and
August.

Observatory. — During favourable vnather, Transits were
taken with sufficient frecjuency to keep accurate time. The
almost continuous covering of clouds in the last three months of
the year, prevented frequent observation, but the known rate of
the Sidereal Time Clock sufficed, in the absence of Sim and
Stars, to keep the mean Time denoted with tolerable accuracy.

16

REPORT OP THE

The shower of Meteors on November 27th was carefully watched
by three of the Assistant Masters of the Friends’ School in
Boothain, at the Observatory attached to the School. A pro¬
jection of twenty- three tracks, recorded by these gentlemen,
appears in the Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical
Society for December. About six o’clock in the evening twenty
per minute were counted ; at seven, about thirty-six ; and at
eight about fifty. Several hundreds were thus observed and
counted. The radiant point as thus determined was in a line
drawn from Cassiopeia through Andromeda to Perseus. The
concurrent statements of Astronomers founded on calculations
of the orbits, &c., of Comets seem to indicate that these meteoric
streams are in the trail of Comets that have passed us onward
on their journey, and that the recent stream of November 27th
was following the track of Biela’s Comet.

In 1851 six gentlemen were appointed to take charge of the
Observatory ; of these two, Messrs. Harcourt and Newman are
deceased ; a third. Professor Phillips, no longer resides in York ;
the only addition to the Committee since the above date is that
of the Secretary of the Society.

The Society would be glad to find among its Members or
Associates, young men taking an interest in practical Astronomy,
that so the excellent Equatorial and Transit Instrument in the
Observatory might be more frequently and scientifically used.

The earliest notice of an Observatory in York is that of
Edward Pigott, Esquire, who in 1787, in a letter to Nevil
Maskelyne, Astronomer Royal, states the longitude of his
Observatory at York, as deduced from occultations and from
Meridian transits of the Moon’s limb, four minutes, twenty-five
seconds in time, or one degree, six minutes twenty- three seconds.
West of Oreenwich. With a telescope of two feet focus, and a
Bird’s eighteen-inch quadrant he determined the latitude of
York, from thirty-three observations, to be fifty- three degrees,
fifty-seven minutes, thirty-three seconds. A contemporary
Review says, in reference to his labours, “other observations and
improvements do honour to this very excellent and indefatigable
Astronomer.”

COUNCIL FOR 1872.

17

From Mr. Pigott’s Observatory, traces of which may be seen
in the garden of J. P. Mills, Esquire, in Bootham, a young
Astronomer, John Groodricke, in 1782, discovered variations in
the star Algol in the Constellation Medusa, for which the
annual Gold Medal of the Eoyal Society was awarded him. In
1796 he was elected F. E. S. He was only 18 when he made
the discovery, and died at the early age of 32.

The late Earl of Eosse, the Constructor of the gigantic
Telescope, with a Speculum six feet in diameter, was born in
York June 17th, 1800. At the second Meeting of the British
Association in York, in 1844, Lord Eosse exhibited a model of
his magnificent instrument, and gave interesting details of its
construction, the difficulties overcome in the composition and
the casting of the enormous speculum.

In 1832, William Pearson, L. L. D., first Treasurer of the
Eoyal Astronomical Society, presented to the Yorkshire Philo¬
sophical Society an Equatorial, a Transit Instrument, a Sidereal
Time Clock by Barraud, London, and the Conical Eoof of our
Observatory. This Eoof was constructed under the direction
of the celebrated Smeaton, and had served as the roof of a
summer-house in Dr. Pearson’s garden, at his Eectory of South
Kilworth, in Leicestershire.

In connection with the interests of Practical Astronomy, we
may not omit the name of Mr. Thomas Cooke, F. E. A. S., our
late honorary member, one of the leading opticians, if not the
first of the time. His twenty-five-inch Eefractor, made by him,
is a monument of persevering ingenuity and mechanical skill.

York, thus distinguished in Astronomical Science, will not
fail, we would hope, to maintain a place not unworthy of the
past.

The gross income of the Society for the past year has amounted
to the sum of £1,423. 10s. 9d. Of this sum the receipts
at the Gate have realised £273. 12s. 9d., being the largest
amount received at the Gate since the year 1866. The total
expenditure of the year has amounted to £1,379. 10s. 8d.,
leaving a balance in the Treasurer’s hands of £91. 16s. 3d., of
which £44. Os. Id. is the surplus of this year.

B

18

REPORT OF THE

The Society has lost by death and resignation 22 Members,
5 Lady Subscribers, and 2 Associates, during the past year,
whilst the names of 8 Members, 4 Lady Subscribers, and 3
Associates have been added to the Society’s List.

Portraits of three well-known Citizens of York have been
presented to the Society during the past year, by the subscribing
Members of the York Musical Club, viz. : — Mr. Camidge,
grandfather of Dr. Camidge, the late Organist of York Cathe¬
dral ; Mr. Knapton, of York, Professor of Music ; and the late
Mr. John Brook, Solicitor. The latter portrait is by Etty,
the celebrated Artist, also a native of York. The portraits are
now placed in the Library.

The following Lectures were delivered in the Theatre of the
Museum during the past year : —

Subject.

Name of Lectueee.

The Negro in his several rela- )

tions . j

Masters of Science — The Life & |
Scientific W ork of Priestley . . )

The Sun .

Jerusalem Pecovered .

Modern Improvements in Gun- ^

powder . )

The Stars as Suns .

The Star System .

The Submarine Communication ^
between England and Prance ;
Central Africa — Discoveries of]

Dr. Livingstone . )

Very Low Life, as illustrated by ]
the Microscope . j

E. Needham, Esq., M. D.

B. W. Eichaedsoh, Esq., M. D.,

E. E. S.

T. H. Wallee, Esq., B. A.

G. St. Claie, Esq., E. G. S.

W. Peoctee, Esq., M. D., E. C. S.

E. A. Peoctoe, Esq., B. A.
Ditto.

W. Peoctee, Esq., M. D.,

E. C. S.

The Eev. G. Eowe, M. A.

A. E. Sansom, Esq., M. D.

The Council recommend Egerton Vernon Harcourt, Esq.,
the Eev. Canon Eaine, Dr. Kitching and J. F. Walker, Esq.,
M. A., F. G. S., as new Members of the Council in the room of
Dr. Matterson, E. Swaine, James Backhouse, and George
Oldfield, who retire by rotation.

COUNCIL FOR 1872.

19

Since the last Annual Meeting, one of the most eminent of
our Honorary Members, Professor Sedgwick, has been removed
by death. His name is found in the first list, that of 1825.
No name is more distinguished in the History of English
Geology. By his labours, the nature and geological relations
of some of the most important but least known districts of the
Kingdom have been fixed on the basis of accurate observation.
As a Professor of Geology, by his genial character, his com¬
prehensive knowledge, and his philosophical eloquence, he has
trained a long succession of academical students, and inspired
them with his own enthusiasm for geological research.

THE

TEEASUEER OE THE YORKSHIRE PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY

IN ACCOUNT FOB THE YEAK 1872.

INCOME.

£. s. d. £. s. d.

Annual Subscriptions, ^c, :

Members . 663 0 0

Lady Subscribers . 72 3 0

Associates . 17 0 0

An-ears . 8 0 0

760 3 0

Admission Fees of New Members:

Paid in Full . 6 0 0

Paid by Instalments .... 36 0 0

42 0

Keys of the Gates . 48 5 0

Temporary Subscribers . 2 0 0

Rents :

New Manor Shore Pro¬
perty . 104 5 8

St. Mary’s Lodge . 55 0 0

Museum House . 48 19 2

Cottages in Mary gate .. 24 15 2

Boat Yard . . . 5 0 0

- 238 0 0

Gate Money . 273 12 9

Swimming Bath . 40 0 0

Sale of Guide to Antiquities . 11 10 0

Use of Tent . 6 0 0

Proceeds at Whitsuntide . 2 0 0

Permanent Debt:

Yorkshire Insurance

Company . 1900 0 0

Due to Two Members,

£50 each . 100 0 0

- 2000 0 0

Balance in Treasurer’s
hands, Jan. 1st, 1873 . 91 16 3

TotalDebtof Society, Jan. 1, 1873 £1908 3 9

EXPENDITUKE.

£. s. d.

Crown Bents . 118 10 0

CoiqDoration Rents . 51 3 4

St. MaiYs Lodge . 15 0 0

Bates and Taxes . 12 18 3

Water Rent . 7 11 0

Insurance . 5 4 0

Bx.

£. s. d.

210 6 7

Salaries and Wages :

Keeper of the Museum 130 0 0
Henry Baines (Pension) 100 0 0
James Davison (Do.) 26 0 0

Head Gardener . 70 4 0

Lodge Keeper . 39 0 0

Attendant, Museum .... 46 16 0
Do. Hospitium.. 10 8 0
Gardeners . 122 15 6

Interest to Insurance Company ....

Museum, Estate, Sfc.:

General Expenses and

Repairs . 113 19 6

New Boiler under Mu¬
seum . 47 3 5

New Gas Fittings in
Yorkshire Rooms .... 14 16 7
Repairs of St. Mary’s
Lodge . . 41 4 0

Gardens, Gt'eenhouses, <^c. ;

New Greenhouse . 33 19 0

Paintingof Greenhouses 12 14 3
General Expenses and

Repairs . 33 9 11

Seeds, &c . 4 19 11

Coals and Coke . 9 12 10

545 3 6
74 11 2

217 3 6

94 15 11

Purchase Sf Preparation of Specimens:
Purchase of Fossils col¬
lected by the late Mr.

J. Cook . 50 0 0

Sundries . 3 6 0

Library: Books and Binding

Swimming Bath .

Miscellaneous Expenses :

53 6 0
28 17 10
17 6 10

Printing of Report and

Conrmunications ....

18 16

0

Printing, Stationery, &c.

10

1

5

Coals and Gas .

40

2

8

Expenses of Lectures. .

37 19

9

Do. Hospitium

4

10

0

Do. Bands ....

24

8

11

Postages and petty Ex-

penses .

2

0

7

137 19 4

£1379 10 8

Excess of Income for the year 1872 44 0 1

£1423 10 9

Permanent Debt :

Yorkshire Insurance

Company . 1900 0

Due to Two Members,

£50 each . 100 0

0

Balance due from Trea¬
surer, Jan. 1st, 1872. ... 47 16 2

Surplus of Income for
the year 1872 . 44 0 1

-2000 0 0

91 16 3

£1908 3 9

W. GRAY,
Treasurer.

Audited and found correct, Jan. 30th, 1873. — WILLIAM PROCTER,

S. W. NORTH.

21

MEMBEES ELECTED IN 1872.

Clapliam, Eev. J. E., Portland Street.
Draper, William, Petergate.

EitzHugh, Lieut. -OoL, E. A., St. Mary's.
Manning, Henry, Low Ousegate.

Marsh, James, Coney Street.

Metcalfe, Eev. J., Blossom Street.

Musham, E. J., South Parade.

Thomas, Mrs., The Mount.

LADY SUBSCEIBEES ADMITTED IN ]872.

ISmith, Mrs. C. Fullerton, Blahe Street.

Scawin, Mrs., Castlegate.

Terry, Mrs., Mount Vale.

ASSOCIATES.

Parr, W. F., Museum Street.

Eamsay, James, M. D., Minster Yard.
Turnbull, E. E., 14, MicUegate.

22

EESOLUTIONS.

PASSED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, Feb. 4th, 1873.

1. That the Report of the Council now read be adopted and
printed for circulation amongst the Members, Lady Subscribers,
and Associates of the Society.

2. That the thanks of the Society be given to the Members of
the Council retiring from oj0fi.ce, also to the Treasurer, Secretary,
and Curators, for their valuable services ; that authority be given
to the Council to hold Horticultural Meetings in the Museum
Grounds, and to suspend the privileges of entry possessed by the
Members during the holding of such Meetings ; and to give admis¬
sion to the Public to the Museum and Hospitium, on Whit-Mon-
day and Tuesday, under the same regulations as last year.

3. That the thanks of the Meeting be given to the Chairman.

23

DONATIONS TO THE MUSEUM.

GEOLOGY AND MINEEALOGY.

Club, Yorkshire Natural- ) Three Species of Trigonia, from the

ists’ . j Millepore Bed.

Trigonia paucicostata, from the Kello-
way Rock.

Harcourt, Mrs . Ten Specimens of Minerals.

Walker, J. F., Esq . Part of Jaw and Teeth of Cave Bear,

and Molars of Rhinoceros, from
Iserlohn, Westphalia.

Three Specimens of Trilobites, from
the Carboniferous Limestone of
Derbyshire.

Ward, Mr. W . Extractinus hriareus^ from Whitby.

Jet, from Whitby.

ZOOLOGY.

AUis, T., Esq . A Skeleton of Apteryx Australis.

Bones of the body of Jer Falcon.
Wing and leg bones of Great Penguin.
Leg bones and skull of Three-toed
Sloth.

Vertebrae, Pelvic bones and feet of
Bull Frog.

Leg bones of Small Emys.

A Camberwell Beauty.

24

Blake, Eev. J. F . A Specimen of Serpiila filogr ana.

Eudd, Mr . A Locust, from Palestine.

A Scorpion, from Suez.

ANTIQUITIES.

Adams, Mr. E., fSelhyJ . ,
BeU, Mr. G .

Chester, Eev. Greville S.,
(London) .

Darnbrough, Eev. J. W.

Horsfall, M. H., Esq .

Kenrick, Eev. J .

Mediaeval Jug.

Mediaeval Candlestick, found in Gilly-
gate.

Tiles for 'Wall decoration and inlay¬
ing the Capitals, from a ruined
Palace of Eameses III., at Tel-el-
Yahoudeyeh.

Eoman Coin Moulds, &c.

Holy Water Stoup, found near Whorl-
ton Castle.

Horse Shoes and Spurs, from Little
Smeaton.

The Antiquarian Collection of the late
Mr. J. Cook.

Denarii of Gordian and Salonina.

Seal of Gnostic Intaglio, set in a gold
ring, found on the thumb bone of
the right hand in the Tomb of
Seffrid, Bp. of Cicester.

Impression of a Gnostic Gem, found
in Northamptonshire.

^ 1 CoUection of Miat Implements.

Noble, T. S., Esq . Eoman Lamp and Urns.

N. E. Eailway, the Direc- ) Supulchral Monument of iElia

tors of . j HiKana.

Seven Stone Coffins.

Eaine, Eev. J . Mediaeval Urns, from Eipon.

Eead, W. H. Eudston, Esq. A Jetton or Counter.

Wade, Eev. G. F . Eoman Urn, foimd on Tillmire, York.

Webster, W., Esq., (Parle Seventy Electroty^^es of Monastic and

Place) . ) Municipal Seals.

Fragment of Eoman Pottery.

25

LIBEAEY.

Association, British, for the
Advancement of Science
Association, Geologists’ . .

The Author . . .

The Author
The Author
The Author

The Author .

Club, Berwickshire Natur¬
alists’ .

Government, Her Majesty’s

India, Geological Survey
of .

I Report for 1871.

Proceedings, vol. ii.

Report for 1871.

Anniversary Address at the Botanical
Society of Edinbm-gh, by Sir Walter
Elliot.

Natural History of British Moths, by
Rev. F. 0. Morris, B. A.

The Hygiene of Air and Water; by
W. Procter, M. D., E. C. S.

Geology of Oxford, and the Valley of
of the Thames ; by J. Phillips,
M.A., E.R. S., E. G.S.

IJeber Benzylathylbenzol ; by J. E.
Walker, M. A., E. C. S.

I Proceedings, vol. vi., Pt. 3.

Edinburgh Astronomical Observ¬
ations, vol. xiii., 1860 — 1870.

IPalseontologia Indica, vol. iii.. Nos. 9
—13.

Records, vol. iv., pts. 3 and 4.

Observations on the Geology and
Zoology of Abyssinia, made during
the progress of the British Expe¬
dition to that country, 1867-68; by
W. T. Blandford, E. G. S.

Nature . Journal, 1872.

Patents, H. S. Commis- 1 United States Patent Office Report
sioner of . ; for 1868, 4 vols.

Raine, Rev. J . Archseologia JEliana, 4 parts.

Photograph of the Bidding Prayer
used in York Minster before the
Conquest.

c

26

Eead, W.H. Eudston, Esq. Journal of tlie Linnean Society,

Zoology, Nos. 54, 55 ;

Botany, Nos. 66, 67.

Sampson Low, Son & Co., ^ Tlie Institutes of Medicine ; by Martyn

Messrs . . . j Paine, M. A., M. D.

Paine’s Physiology of the Soul and
Instinct.

Society, Poyal Astronom- \ Astronomical, Magnetical and Meteor-

ical . ) ological Observations made at

Greenwich in 1869.

Society, Chemical . Journal for 1872.

Society, Poyal, Edinburgh Transactions, vol. xxvi., pts. 2 and 3.

Proceedings, 1870-71.

Society, Geological . Journal, Nos. 110, 111, 112.

Society, Hull Literary and")

Philosophical . )

Society, Leeds PMosophi- 1

Society Liverpool Kterary | ^os. 18-22.

and Philosophical . )

Society, Manchester Lit- 1 1872.

.Society, Warwickshire ^

__ /’ . ^ Eeport for 1871.

Natural History . )

Society, Zoological . Transactions, vol. vii., pts. 7 and 8,

and vol. viii., pts. 1 and 2.

Webster, Wm., Esq . Eaine’s St. Cuthbert.

The Stowe Catalogue (Illustrated).
Gage’s Survey of Liverpool (in Case).

MISCELLANEOUS.

Eawcett, Mrs . . .

Hey, Mrs., /'St. Mary's) . .
Members of the late
Musical Society ........

Eead, W. H. Eudston, Esq.

Ward, Mr. W .

Indian Sword.

Pour Tree Perns from Tasmania.
Portraits of.

Two small Idols in Soap stone, from
China.

Head of Harpoon.

27

SEEIAL WOEKS SUBSCEIBED EOE.

Corpus Inscriptionum Latinarum (3 vols. with Atlas of Plates and
Supplement published).

Birds of Asia, by John Grould, P. E. S. (23 parts published).

Pauna Antiqua Sivalensis, or Geology of the Sewalik Hills, in the
North of India, by Dr. Paulkner and Major Cautley. (Parts
1 to 9 of Illustration, and part 1 of Letterpress).

Natural History of the Tineina, by H. T. Stainton (12 vols.

published).

Nautical Almanack.

Proceedings of the Zoological Society, with Illustrations.
Publications of the Palaeontographical Society.

Publications of the Pay Society.

Sowerby’s Thesarmus Conchyliorum, col. plates (29 parts published).
The Zoological Pecord (Annual).

London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History.

Archiv fiir Naturgeschichte. Berlin, von Troschel.

Geological Magazine.

Journal of the British Archaeological Association.

Numismatic Chronicle.

Meteorological Magazine.

1

COMMUNICATIONS

TO THE

MONTHLY MEETINGS

OF THE

YORKSHIRE PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY,

1872.

March 5th. — R. Davies, Esq., F. S. A., read tlie following
‘‘Memoir of a York Poet of the time of King James the First.”

Alderman Robert Brooke, a York merchant of the Elizabethan
period, lived and carried on business in the street called “ The
Pavement,” in the parish of All Hallows. He served the office
of Sheriff in 1575, was twice Lord Mayor, and was twice
returned to Parliament as one of the representatives of the city.
He had a numerous family, of one of whom, his eldest surviving
son, Christopher Brooke, I propose to give a brief biographical
sketch.

He was born at his father’s house in the Pavement, in the
year 1566. It would seem that he was originally intended to
succeed to his father’s business, having been admitted a mem¬
ber of the company of Merchant Adventurers in the year 1587,
when he had just attained his majority. But if that were so,
his views must have subsequently changed, for there is no
doubt that before the close of the century he had passed
through one of the Universities, most probably Cambridge, of
which his younger brother was a member, and had been entered
as a student of the law at Lincoln’s Inn.

Here Christopher Brooke was for some years the chamber-
fellow of John Donne, the celebrated poet and divine, afterwards
Dean of St. Paul’s, who had become one of the members of
that Inn of Court as early as the year 1590, and between the
two young students a warm attachment subsisted.

D

2

By way of relief from severer studies, Donne was induced to
attend the Earl of Essex in his expedition to Cadiz, in 1596,
and one of his early poetical essays was an epistle in verse
addressed to his friend, Mr. Christopher Brooke, giving him a
description of a violent storm he had encountered on his voyage.
He begins thus : — *

“ Thou, which art I, (’tis nothing to he so)

Thou, which art still thyself, hy this shall know
Part of our joassage ; and a hand, or eye.

By Hilliard f drawn, is worth a history

By a worse jpainter made, and (without pride)

When hy thy judgment they are dignified,

My lines are such. ’Tis the preheminence
Of friendship only to impute excellence.”

When Donne returned to England he accepted the appoint¬
ment of chief secretary to Sir Thomas Egerton, recently made
Lord Keeper of the great seal, and in the year 1600, whilst
engaged in the duties of this important office, he fell in love
with Anne Moore, the daugliter of Sir George Moore, of Lozeley,
and the neice of Lady Egerton, a girl of seventeen, then on a
visit at the Lord Keeper’s residence. His passion was warmly
reciprocated hy the young lady, but he knew that his suit 'would
be highly disapproved of by the Lord Keeper and his brother-
in-law. Most imprudently, the lovers resolved upon a private
marriage, and Donne prevailed upon his friend, Christopher
Brooke, to assist in accomplishing their wishes. Brooke per¬
suaded his brother Samuel, who was then in holy orders, to
solemnize the clandestine nuptials, whilst he, himself, officiated
as father and gave the bride away. The young lawyer’s com¬
plicity in this transaction might have been attended with fatal
consequences to his future prospects in life. As soon as the
marriage became known to Sir George Moore and the Lord
Keeper, Donne was dismissed from his secretaryship, and he
and the two Brookes were committed to the Marshalsea.

* Donne’s Poems, Ed. 1719, p. 127.

t Xickolas Hillyard was the King’s Lymner. On tke 28tli December, 1603,
he was paid £19. 10s. for certain pictures of his Majesty given to the Duke of
Denmark’s ambassadour. Cunningham’s Bevels at Court, p. 34.

3

With much difficulty, and after an incarceration of several
weeks, Donne succeeded in obtaining the liberation of himself
and his friends, to which the following letter, written by
Christopher Brooke to the Lord Keeper Egerton, may in some
measure have contributed: —

May it please your good Lordship,

“ What mine offence is, being singled out by itself, none can
better judge than your Honour, who understand what men can
understand, and justly censure greater every day. And perhaps
it should be indiscreetly done to offer to your Lordship’s ears,
(filled necessarily every hour with the complaints of the whole
realm) such circumstances as might diminish this poor fault of
mine. Therefore I spare ; yet will be bold, my lord, to say that
they are as many as those that can be found out to aggravate
the same. My lord, it was enjoined that I should make some
submission. I have drawn one out of my heart, and writ it
with mine own hand, and sent it to his Grace and the rest of
the commissioners for those causes, wherein I have confessed
my offence against the canon laws, and constitutions provincial
of this realm, and have testified my sorrow for the whole fact.
What other satisfaction I (but such an offender as I am) should
make, I know not, but I always submit myself. For Sir George
Moore (my Lord) I knew then neither his person nor his estate,
much less that worthy favour in wdiich (your Lordship witness)
he standeth with your Honour. For, my Lord, if I had,
(unwise as I am), I w^ould have chosen rather to have under¬
gone for Mr. Donne some other more apparent danger. And
pardon me a word for him, my Lord ; w^ere it not now best that
every-one whom he in any way concerns should become his
favourer or his friend, who wants (my good Lord) but fortune’s
hands and tongue to rear him up and set him out? For my
part, besides these other things, I am held from the sitting at
York,* already four days since began, where (in my silly fortune,
such as it is,) my profitablest practice lies. And I protest, my
Lord, that thereby I am endangered to lose my mother’s favour,
whom I seem to forsake in her greatest businesses, whose favour

* After Lis call to the Bar, Brooke Lad joined tLe NortLern Circuit.

D 2

4

is the best part of my strength and means of well doing.
Wherefore my humble request to your Lordship is, that you
would be so good unto me as to discharge me and sureties of
that recognizance of £1,100. That when it shall please his
Grace and the rest to deliver me from the Marshalsea, whereof

have hope I may no longer be stayed from those businesses in
the country, whereof I have now more, than yet in all my life
I ever had.

Thus I most humbly take my leave, and betake your Lord-
ship to God’s protection, this 25th day of February, 1601,
from the Marshalsea.

Your Honour’s, in all humble service.

Ever to be commanded.

To the Right Honourable CHR. BROOKE, f

Sir Thomas Egerton, Knight,

Lord Keeper of the Great Seal
of England.”

We learn from this letter that the Lincoln’s Inn barrister was
then a member of the Northern Circuit, and through what he
calls ^^my mother’s favour” enjoying a profitable practice at the
Assizes of his native city and county. A few years later, by his
^Lnother’s favour,” he was raised to greater distinction. In the
early part of 1604 writs were issued for the election of mem¬
bers to the first parliament of King James the First, and the
citizens of York turned their eyes towards Christopher Brooke
as a proper person to be one of their representatives. To qualify
himself to be a candidate, he took up his freedom of the city,
wLich he had not done previously, although entitled to claim
the franchise by patrimony. He was admitted, not as a lawyer,
but a merchant, being entitled to that designation by having
been long one of the company of Merchant Adventurers.

On the 5th of March he was elected by the corporation of
York to be one of their burgesses in the ensuing parliament.
His colleague was Alderman Robert Askwith, who was after¬
wards knighted by King James I.

On this occasion the corporation adopted a peculiar mode of
proceeding. There were several candidates, but the contest lay

t Ivempe’s Lozeley MSS., London, 1836. Svo. p. 336.

5

between Sir John Bennet, Knight, Alderman Askwitli and Mr.
Christopher Brooke.

Sir John Bennet, L.L.D., was one of the learned council of
the great court at York, and had represented the city in the
last parliament of Queen Elizabeth. He had received the
honour of Knighthood at Whitehall, soon after the King’s
accession, was made chancellor to the Queen Consort, and
judge of the prerogative court of Canterbury, and held the
office of chancellor to the Archbishop of York, Dr. Matthew
Hutton. His previous services gave him a claim to the favour
of the citizens, and the high offices to which lie had been pro¬
moted would be a strong recommendation. Unfortunately, his
patron the archbishop thought fit to write a letter to the
corporation on his chancellor’s behalf, which most probably
operated against him. The sturdy citizens always resisted
pressure from without.

On the day appointed for the election, the sheriffs held a
county court, and the citizens, both freemen and freeholders,
having assembled in the Guildhall, the proceedings were con¬
ducted in the manner previously arranged and determined upon
by the governing body of the corporation.

The court was opened by reading the proclamation and writ
of election ; and the archbishop’s letter was also read. The
Lord Mayor then stated to the court that first there should be
one citizen chosen, and after that the other, and that the sheriffs
and common clerk should take the voices of the commons first,
and afterwards of the members of the corporation, who then
retired into the council chamber, the commons remaining in the
county court. The election was then proceeded with, the
sheriffs and common-clerk standing at the door of the court,
took down the votes of the commons as they passed forth, and
then went into the exchequer chamber and took the voices of
the Lord Mayor, aldermen, and twenty-four, as well of Mr.
Becorder as the rest. The result was as follows : —

For Sir John Bennet, Knight . 14 voices.

Aid. Bobert Askwitli . 61 ,,

Aid. Sir Bobert Walter, Knight 8 ,,

Aid. Thomas Mosley . . . 13 „

))

6

For Aid. William Robinson . . 3 voices.

„ Aid. Robert Paycock .......... 1 ,,

So Alderman Robert Askwith was elected.

The election of the second citizen was then conducted in the
same manner, and with the following result : —

For Sir John Rennet, Knight . 29 voices.

,, Aid. Sir Robert Watter, Knight 8 „

,, Aid. William Robinson ........ 1 ,,

„ Christopher Brooke, Esq. ...... 60 ,,

„ Aid. Thomas Mosley . . . 12 „

,, Aid. Robert Paycock . 1 ,,

So Christopher Brooke was the other citizen elected.

It was a highly complimentary testimony to the merits of
Mr. Brooke, that a large majority of his fellow-citizens preferred
him to so important and influential a person as Sir John Bennet.^

The two members for York were in their places in the House
of Commons when parliament assembled on the 19th of March,
and a few weeks afterwards they wrote a joint letter to their
constituents, giving an account of the manner in which they
had discharged their duties. It was the custom at this period
for the representatives of cities and boroughs to communicate by
monthly letters to the electors all the more important proceed¬
ings in parliament.

This was the year of the great plague at York, and in a letter
from Alderman Askwith, dated at London the 24th of May, he
says, “It is not a little sorrow to us here that God his wrathful
hand hath stroken our city with infection : the Lord of his
mercy withdraw it from you and defend us, being here.”

On the 7th of July, parliament was prorogued, and did not
reassemble until the 5th of November in the following year,
(1605,) the memorable day on which the Gunpowder Plot was
discovered. During this session, which terminated on the 27th
of May, 1606, the parliamentary duties of the members for York
devolved upon Mr. Brooke alone, his colleague, being Lord
Mayor, was prevented from leaving the city. In a letter from
Brooke to the Lord Mayor, written a day or two after the pro-

* I may mention here that Sir Jolin Bennet was the lineal ancestor of the
present Earl of Tanker ville (Chas, Augustus Bennet.)

7

rogation^ lie says, Upon Tuesday last this long and wearisome
session was ended, and the parliament prorogued to Tuesday,
the 18th of Novemher next, ‘^for Tuesday is the King’s day,
as he saith, marked and designed unto him by God, and there¬
fore to that day, and from that day, his majesty makes all his
references.” In my last letter (he continues) I left at the death
of Garnett,! Superior of the Jesuits, who, by the confession of
his knowledge of the great Powder Treason, and of the two
briefs directed to the clergy and laity catholick here, not to
resist the King only in his way to this crown, hut by advancing
a catholick to stand against him to the uttrance, even to the
very deposing of him, if it should fortune him to be seated on
the throne ; and by his much and gross insisting upon equivo¬
cation, which is no other hut artificial and scholar-like lying,
he hath much, as is hoped, diminshed and discredited that
cause, but I know your Lordship by this time hath heard
enough of him. Since his death and the passing the bill of
attainder, in the Commons house there hath been much con¬
tention and much jealousy between the bishops and the com¬
mons, not as puritans opposed against their dignities, for your
lordship knows all were not such, hut by laying open the force
and reviver of the Statutes of 1st of Edward VI., chap. S, which
ordered what seals and style they should use in the exercise of
their ecclesiastical jurisdiction, by which they all thought for a
season that they should have been miserably in the King’s
mercy for doing otherwise than w'as in that statute prescribed,
but that wound was stitched and smoothed over by the King’s
learned counsel, and they may thank God that his Majesty’s
song is more of mercy than judgment.” Mr. Brooke then men¬
tions Dr. Parker’s sermon at Pawles-Cross, on Sunday, the
25th of May— such an angry, scolding, irreverent and
slanderous sermon, partly against the house of commons, that
he was scarcely endured.” He then proceeds with the news of
the court. The King of Denmark is expected here to be
godfather to the second English-horn royal impe that about
Midsummer will be ready to step upon this miserable stage.
The lord of Salisbury rid with such pomp and such a troupe to

t Garnett was executed on the 6tli of May.

8

be stalled of the garter at Windsor, that in good faith it was one
of the gallantest shows that ever I saw. The King was a little
angry at being so left alone at the court that he might have
been easily stolen away, but such a thing in Queen Elizabeth’s
time would with great ease have conveyed a man from the
Castle of Windsor to the Tower of London.”

This Ascension day, S9th May, 1606.

CHR. BROOKE.

In November following Parliament again assembled, and
continued sitting until the 4th of July, 1607. During the
whole of this session the City Members were diligent in their
attendance at the House of Commons. In the summer of
1608, the business of the Northern Circuit brought Mr. Brooke
to the north. On the 30th of September he was present at a
meeting of the Corporation, petitioning for a settlement of his
accounts. He stated that he had served them during three
sessions without having received any parliamentary wages (the
short session interrupted by the Gunpowder Treason not being
reckoned), and was occupied 433 days, without adding the days
spent in going and returning, which at the usual rate of wages
at a noble a day would amount to £144. ISs. 8d. In discharge
of his claim his constituents parsimoniously proposed to pay
him £60., which he agreed to accept. As some compensation,
the Corporation at the same time elected him to the office of
Counsel with the City, and assistant to the Recorder, with a
yearly fee of 20 nobles. This appointment he thankfully
accepted as a great and undeserved favour.” In April, 1611,
Mr. Brooke was paid £7^. for his parliamentary wages for the
two preceding sessions. In the early part of that year the first
Parliament of this reign was dissolved, and from that time until
April, 1614, no Parliament was held. Being relieved during
this interval from his attendance in the House of Commons,
Brooke appears to have devoted his leisure to cultivating the
friendship and enjoying the society of a galaxy of wits and
literary celebrities with whom he had long been upon terms of
cordial intimacy. Among his associates were John Selden, Ben
Jonson, Michael Drayton, W’^illiam Browne, George Wither,
and John Davies, of Hereford. Living within this charmed

9

circle, Brooke could not fail to be imbued with the poetic
spirit. He lightened the dull studies of his professional pur¬
suits by paying court to the Muses, and was probably more
frequently employed in ‘^penning stanzas” than reading his
briefs.

In the year 1611, that eccentric wuiter, Tom Coryat, the
author of Coryat’s Crudities hastily gobbled up,”* published
a poem in latin rhymes, called The Odcombian Banquet,
dished forth by Thomas the Coryat, and served in by a number
of noble wits, in praise of his crudities and crambe too.”t The
poem professes to give a description of a philosophical feast, the
guests at which were Christopher Brooke, John Donne, Inigo
Jones, and several other literary persons, and was, in fact, a
farrago of burlesque testimonies to the author’s merit. Brooke
is said to have had a considerable hand in dishing up this
banquet.

It was not until the year 1613 that Brooke published his
first poetical essay, in the form of ^^An elegy consecrated to the
never dying memorie of the most worthily admyred ; most
hartily loved ; and generally bewayled Prince, Henry, Prince
of \yales.”J His friend, William Browne, the author of
Britannia’s Pastorals,” a poem of which Milton himself was
an admirer, had produced a similar effusion, and their two
offerings were printed together in a small 4to volume. $

In the second booke of his Pastorals, Brown pays the follow¬
ing tribute to the poetical genius of his friend : —

“ Brooke, ’whose polish’t lines,

Are fittest to accomplish high designs ;

Whose pen (it seemes) still young Apollo guides ;

Worthy the forked hill, for ever glides

Streames from th}^ hmine, so fair, that time shall see,

Thee honour’d by thy verse, and it by thee.

And when thy temple’s well deserving hayes,

Might impe a pride in thee to reach thy praise.

As in a crystall glasse, filled to the ring.

With the cleare water of as cleare a spring,

A steady hand may very safely drop
Some quantity of gold, yet o’re the top

* London, 4to, 1611. f London, 4to, 1611. % London, 4to, 1613.

10

Not force tlie liquor run ; although before
The glasse (of water) could contain no more:

Yet so, all-worthy Brooke, though all men sound
With plummets of just praise thy skill profound,

Thou in thy verse those attributes can’st take,

And not ajoparent ostentation make.

That any second can thy vertues raise.

Striving as much to hide, as merit praise.”

The fifth eglogue of his poem, called The Shepheard’s
Pipe,”^ Browne dedicates “to his ingenious friend Mr.
Christopher Brooke.” Indeed the two poets seem to have
taken great pleasure in bandying compliments with each other.
An eclogue written by Brooke, and published about the same
time, is dedicated “ to his much loved friend William Browne,
of the Inner Temple, the celebrated author of Britannia’s
Pastorals ; ” and the following sonnet by Brooke is among the
commendatory verses prefixed to that poem.

To his Friend the Author upon his Poem.

This plant is knotlesse that puts forth these leaves,

Upon whose branches I his praise do sing:

Fruitful! the ground, whose verdure it receives
From fertile nature, and the learned spring.

In zeale to good ; knowne but impractiz’d ill,

Chast in his thoughts, though in his youthful prime.

He wu'ites of past’ rail love, with nectar’d quill.

And offers up his first fruits unto time.

Receive them. Time, and in thy border place them
Among thy various flowers of poesie ;

No envy blast, nor ignorance deface them.

But keep them fresh in fairest memorie !

And when from Daphne’s tree he plucks more bales,

His Shepeard’s Pipe may chant more heav’nly laies.

CHRISTOPHER BROOKE.

Drayton’s Poem, called “The Legend of the great Crumwell,”
is accompanied with verses from the pen of Brooke, and two of
his sonnets are prefixed to Henry Lichfield’s Madrigals, pub¬
lished in 1614.

In the same year that Brooke’s Muse was prolific of minor
poems, she took a higher flight, and brought out a poem of

* London, 4to, 1614.

11

considerable merit and interest, entituled The Ghost of
Richard the Third, expressing himself in three parts : — I. His
Character: II. His Legend : III. His Tragedie, &c.”*

Complimentary verses by some of the author’s intimate friends
precede the poem. Among them are the names of Browne, Chap¬
man, Wither, Dahorne, Ben Jonson, and others. Mr. Payne
Collier t pronounces this to be a poem of great importance,
as it contains the following stanzas, directly referring to
Shakespeare, which are put into the mouth of Richard’s Ghost ;
and are placed at the beginning of the second of the two portions
into which the piece is divided : —

“ To liim that impt my fame with Clio’s quill,

Whose magick raised me from oblivion’s den,

That writ my storie on the muses’ hill
And with my actions dignified his pen :

He that from Helicon sends many a rill,

Whose nectared veines are drunk by thirstie men
Crown’d be his style with fame, his head with bayes.

And none detract, but gratulate his praise !

“ Yet if his scenes have not engrost all grace.

The much fam’d action could extend on stage ;

If time or memory have left a place
For me to fill, t’enforme this ignorant age,

To that intent I show my horrid face.

Imprest with feare and characters of rage :

Nor wits nor chronicles could ere containe
The hell-deex^e reaches of my soundless braine.”

Throughout the poem Brooke had Shakespeare’s historical
drama in his eye and memory, and made many allusions to, and
quotations from it.

Mr. Brooke represented the city of York in the short Parlia¬
ment which assembled on the 5th of April, 1614, and was
dissolved on the 7th of June, in the same year. About this
time he w^as elected summer-reader of Lincoln’s Inn, having
been previously a bencher of that society.

Towards the close of the following year, Mr. Brooke intima¬
ted to his friends at York that it was his intention to pass the

* London, 4to, 1614.

t Bibhographical Account of Early English Literature, Yol i. p. 91. 8vo,
London, 1865.

12

remainder of his life at Lincoln’s Inn, and that he 'wished to
retire from the office of Assistant-Recorder. His resignation
'svas accepted by the Corporation, hut they desired him to con¬
tinue to he one of the city counsel, 'with the customary fee of
£5 a year.

In 1621 Mr. Brooke again sat in Parliament for York, with
his former colleague, Alderman now Sir Robert Askwith,
Knight ; and he was returned by his native city to the Parlia¬
ment which met on the 12th of February, 1624, and was dis¬
solved by the King’s death on the 27th of March, 1625. On
this occasion he was provided with a new colleague. Sir Arthur
Ingram, Knight, a member of the great council of the north,
who in his letter of thanks to the Corporation for having ad¬
mitted him to the freedom of the city, and for acquainting him
with their intention to make him one of their burgesses for the
Parliament, expressed his wish that he might be associated with
his worthy and good friend, Mr. Christopher Brooke, ^Svho hath
(he says) of my knowledge, not only served the city faithfully
in this particular, but hath done great and good service to the
public otherwise, and I do hold him to be as able and as honest
a man as any that will be amongst them.”

In the first and second Parliaments of King Charles the
First, both of short duration, the city of York was represented
by Mr. Brooke and Sir Arthur Ingram. In the spring of 1628,
when the third Parliament of this reign was convened, the
name of Christopher Brooke no longer appears as a candidate
for the representation of his native city. His place in the
House of Commons was filled by Thomas Hoyle, an alderman
of York, who after\vards acquired some notoriety — a rigid
puritan, and a zealous opponent of the King’s government.

]Mr. Brooke scarcely lived to witness the commencement of
the great political struggle that was impending. His death
took place towards the close of the year 1628, when he was
approaching his grand climacteric. A few years before his
death he had been employed in writing a poem, which he left
in MS., evidently intending it for the press. It was entitled,
^^AFunerall Poem, consecrated to the memorie of that ever
honoured Presydent of Soldyership, Goodness, and Vertue,

13

Sir Arthur Chichester, Baron of Belfast, Lo : High Treasurer
of this Kingdom ; one of his then Majesties most honourable
Privie Counsel; and of the Counsaille of Warre. Written by
Christ : Brooke, gent.”*

It has a prose epistle dedicatorie to the Hon. gentleman.
Sir Francis Ansley, Knight-baronet,” by the author, after which
are some lines by George Wither, addressed ‘^To his ingenious
and (which is more worthy) his truly honest frend, Mr. Christ :
Brooke.” The poem has never been printed.

Mr. Brooke’s will is dated the 8th of December, 16.^7. His
wife, whom he styled the Lady Jacob, pre-deceased him. They
had an only son, John Brooke, wdio at his father’s death was
only eight years old. It seems probable that the gay bencher
of Lincoln’s Inn did not enter into the holy state of matrimony
until late in life, as he had passed the mature age of fifty wlien
his son was born. To what family the Lady Jacob belonged,
or what was the rank or condition of her former husband, I
have not ascertained. They had a daughter, called Mary Jacob,
whom Mr. Brooke names in his will, which w^as ultimately
proved at Doctors’ Commons, on the 29th of November, 1638,
by his son, John Brooke, who had then attained his majority.

The Yorkshire Philosophical Society will not, I hope, deem
unworthy of being recorded in its annals, the memorials I have
brought together of a native of our city, who, although he has
received but little notice from any of our local historians, devo¬
ted great part of his life to the active and faithful discharge of
his duties as a public officer and a representative in Parliament
of his fellow-citizens ; and whilst he maintained a high profes¬
sional reputation, was admitted into the brotherhood, and enjoyed
the society and friendship of the poets and men of letters, who
shone brightest in the age in which he lived, and was by all of
them respected and beloved for his genius, his talents, and his
integrity.

March 5th. — The Eev. J. Kenrick read a notice of a
Homan Altar, presented to the Museum by William Thompson,

■* MS., 4to., 1625, pp. 48.

14

Esq. According to the account furnished by that gentleman,
it was found in 1850, when workmen were excavating the sites
of the houses, 15 and 16, in Park Place, Monkgate, hut at what
depth is not known. It does not appear that any other Homan
remains were found along with it. It is of that coarse gritstone
which the Romans so commonly used for their sculpture. The
peculiarities of the inscription will be seen in the arrangement
below. The whole reads

SVIS§MAECVS

EVSTIVS§YSL

M A S S A L M.

The first line is mutilated at the beginning, hut there can be
no doubt that Matribus has been the original reading. The
stonecutter has executed his work in a manner which has made
it very perplexing. The name of the dedicator is Marcus
Rustius Massa ; but instead of placing the three names in a
continuous line he breaks off* after Rustius, and puts Massa in
the line below ; filling up the remainder of the space with the
first half of the votive formula Votum Solvit Libens, and putting
the remainder Lmtus IMerito at the end of the line below. It
appears, therefore, that the altar was dedicated by Marcus
Rustius Massa to the Deee Matres, those mysterious divinities
to whom numerous altars were dedicated in Germany, Gaul,
and Britain. Instead of Matres the title Matronm is often
given to them ; and, as they are represented holding baskets of
fruit and flowers, they probably denoted the genial and pro¬
ductive powers of nature. An example from Ancaster, the
Causennee of the Itinerary, is given in the Journal of Arch.
Institute, vol. 26, p. 8. They have generally epithets derived
from the locality in which their worship prevailed. A small
altar in our Museum^ is dedicated to the Matres of Africa, Italy,
and Gaul ; another, found at Doncaster, which is also in our
Museum, to the Matres simply. In the Newcastle Museum is
a stone, found at Bowness, on the Roman Wall, inscribed, like
that before us, Matribus Suis, those of the dedicator’s home,
wherever that may have been. His names, Marcus Rustius
Massa, all occur in inscriptions. That of Massa has an

* See Eeport, 1861, p. 35.

15

unfortunate notoriety. Baebius Massa was one of the most
infamous of the delatores in the reign of Domitian, and is
branded by Tacitus (Hist. iv. 50), Juvenal (Sat. i. 35), and
Pliny (Ep. vii. 85). The characters, though rudely cut, are
without ligatures, which mark a late age ; and Dr. Hiibner, to
whom a copy of the inscription was sent, thinks the altar is of
the time of Hadrian. The figure after Suis and Rustius is a
coarsely executed stop, which on many inscriptions has the form
of an ivy leaf. This class of inscriptions abounds to a remark¬
able degree lineam valli with a variety of epithets — IMatribus
Campestribus, Matribus Tramarinis, Matribus Tramarinis
Patriae, and even Matribus Omnium Gentium.* These, added
to purely local deities, as well as the classic deities and those
of Egypt and the East, illustrate the devotion of the Roman
soldiers to their polytheistic religion, and may explain the
absence of all Christian emhlems in their camps and towns in
Britain. The Westminster sarcophagus was thought to be an
exception ; but it is now generally admitted that the cover,
inscribed with a cross, is of mediaeval workmanship.

This altar has an additional interest from the circumstance
that so few Roman antiquities have been found on this side of
York; I think this is the first bearing an inscription. Yet it
seems highly probable that from the N.E. gate of Eburacum a
road has led to Malton. For whether that be Derventio or not,
itcertainly was an importantRoman station, and it seems improb¬
able that there should not be a more direct communication be¬
tween it and Eburacum, than by the valley of the Derwent from
Kexby. The symmetry of the fortifications of Roman York
leaves no doubt that there was a gate in the wall, between
Aldwark and the end of Lord Mayor’s Walk, as laid down in
Mr. Skaife’s excellent map. The remains discovered in 1861,
behind Mr. Gray’s premises, were evidently Roman, though
they did not fix the site of the gate. Mr. Skaife has traced,
conjecturally it is true, a road leading from that gate to Malton,
which passed at no great distance from Park Place. Dean Gale
has recorded the discovery of a stone causeway, eight feet deep,
on the North side of Monkgate, which confirms the supposition
that a road ran this way in the direction of Malton.

* See Bruce’s Roman Wall.

16

May 7th. — Mr. J. F. Walker, M. A., F. C. S., then read a
paper, illustrated with diagrams, on The Modifications of the
Substitutions of Benzol.” He gave a short account of Professor
Kekule’s theory of the constitution of this substance, and ex¬
plained how only three modifications of the compound formed
were possible, when two atoms of hydrogen were replaced by
two atoms of another element or by two radicals. He next
gave the results of a series of experiments made by himself and
Dr. Zincke. A large quantity of pure hrombenzol was prepared,
and converted into mononitrobromhenzol by the action of nitric
acid. Two modifications are formed ; the one 'svhich melts at
125 deg. C. is obtained in large quantities, and a small quantity
of a modification which melts at 37 deg. C. Several attempts
were made to increase the quantity of the latter by using acid
of different strength and at various temperatures. It appeared
that acid of sp. gr. 1‘5 at the temperature of a water hath gave
the best results, but a large amount was never obtained. The
first or ortho -nitrohromhenzol is less soluble in alcohol than the
latter or meta-nitrobrombenzol, and they were separated by
repeated re-crystallizations. A long research was made to see
wdiether these two modifications gave, when converted into
dinitrobrombenzol by means of a mixture of strong nitric and
sulphuric acids, the same modification. A series of experiments
were made, and it was found that both these modifications of
mononitrobromhenzol (ortho and meta) gave the same dinitro-
hrombenzol, which melted at 12 deg. C., which may be therefore
called ortho-meta-dinitrobromhenzol. Both the modifications
of mononitrobromhenzol were heated in sealed tubes to about
180 deg. C. with a concentrated solution of alcoholic ammonia
for ten to fifteen hours. The liquid was evaporated to dryness,
and the residue crystallized out of boiling water. The ortho¬
modification gave a nitranilin identical with that obtained by
Hofmann from acetanilid, which crystallizes out of boiling water
in yellow needles, which melt at 146 deg. C. and can be sub¬
limed. The meta-mononitrobrombenzol gave a nitranilin whicli
differed from the two known modifications in its solubility,
melting point, and colour of its salts. It is far more soluble in
water and in alcohol ; its solution is an intense yellow colour
and stains the skin, but not permanenlly. It is much more

17

easily distilled along with steam than the other modifications.
It separates in oily drops from a solution in boiling water,
which afterwards form dark yellow long fine needle crystals,
which melt at 66 deg. C. It does not sublime in needles hut
in oily drops, which afterwards crystallize ; its salts have a
distinct yellow colour. By heating ortho* mononitrobrombenzol
with an aqueous solution of caustic potash. Von Richter obtained
ortho-nitrophenol which melted at 110 deg. C. We, in the
same manner, from the meta-mononitrobrombenzol received the
modification of nitro-phenol, which melts at 45 deg. C., which
must therefore belong to the meta series. A table was ex¬
hibited showing the classification of these compounds,* and also
specimens of them. Mr. Walker showed some of the recently
discovered dinitro-plienyl-jplienyl- amine which he had prepared,
and gave an account of an attempt to make the corresponding
mono-nitro compound by the heating anilin with mono-nitro-
brombenzol : no crystalline compound was formed, but the mix¬
ture turned a blue colour. It was boiled for several days in a
flask with an inverted condenser, evaporated to dryness with
hydrochloric acid, and purified by boiling with water. A resin
was obtained, an alcoholic solution of which dyed silk an indigo-
blue. Alkalies precipitated a base of a dirty white colour, which
would not crystallize. Some of the resin was treated with
nitric acid ; an ammoniacal solution of the substance formed
dyed silk a yellow brown colour. Specimens of dyed silk were
exhibited.

Ortho-series.

Meta-series.

Para-series.

«-Bromonitrobenzene.
Melting point 125°.

a-Bromaniline,
from Acetanilide.

Nitraniline,
from Acetanilide.
Melting- point, 146°.

Orthonitroplienol .
Melting-point, 110°.
Dibromobenzene.
Melting- point, 89°.

c-Bromonitrobenzene.
Melting- point, 37° — 38°.
(Hiibner and Alsberg.)

c-Bromaniline.
(Hiibner and Alsberg.)
Metanitraniline.
Melting point, 66°.

Xitropbenol.
Melting- point, 45°.

5-Bromonitrobenzene.
Melting point, 56°.
(Oriess.)
5-Bromaniline.

(Gri’iess.)
Paranitraniline.
Melting- point, 108°.

Unkno-wn.

Dinitrobenzene.

E

18

June Itii.- — The Rev. J. Kenrick read a notice of the 4th
volume of the Corpus Inscriptionum Latinarum, lately added to
the Library, and containing the Wall-Inscriptions (Graffiti) of
Pompeii. The name Graffiti belongs strictly only to those which
have been traced on the wet mortar with the stylus or graphum,
but is applied also to those painted, or drawn with chalk or char¬
coal. The inscriptions contained in this volume may be con¬
veniently divided according to their subjects, and the first class
answers to our election placards. The wall was the regular
medium at Pompeii of nominating, advertising, and canvassing
for the municipal offices of the duumvirate and the sedileship.
The scriptor, who answered to our billsticker, held nothing sacred
which afforded him space for the exercise of his vocation.
Among the sepulchral inscriptions we find appeals to the scrip-
tor to spare the monument, accompanied by a wish that if he
did not, he might himself come to grief, and his candidate lose
his election.* As the elections were annual, these inscriptions
are numerous. The usual form of nomination was O. F. (oramus
fociatis, we pray you to elect such an one) duummrwn or cedilem,
as the case might be, with the addition of virum probum or
virum dignum. Sometimes whole trades are appealed to to
return a candidate, e.g. the cauponarii (victuallers), pomarii
(fruiterers), more literally costermongers, (ball players),

unguentarii (perfumers), and several others. Both duumviri and
cediles showed their gratitude by the exhibition of costly games
{jnunera), including shows of gladiators, combats with wild
beasts, hunts in the arena (venationes), sprinkling of the audience
with scented waters {sparsioues) and vela, curtains spread over
the theatre, which, at the foot of Vesuvius, and under a Nea¬
politan sun, must have been very grateful. Scenes from the
combats of gladiators and the encounters of wild beasts are
rudely pourtrayed on the walls of Pompeii. But the taste for
these shows was not peculiar to them. Nothing is more fre¬
quently represented on the Samian pottery, which formed the
ornament of Roman tables, and of which our Museum contains
a large collection. Only a few years before the destruction of
the city, the Pompeiians were so excited by an exhibition of
^ Roman Sepulchral Inscriptions by the Rev. J. Kenrick, p. 9.

19

gladiators that a battle took place, and they were suspended
for ten years. Another class of the graffiti consists of adver¬
tisements of trades carried on within. Among these the wine
shops are conspicuous. Intoxication has not been the national
vice of the Italians, yet its effects may have been witnessed by
one who wrote on the wall Carminibus Circe socios mutavit
Ulyxis ” (Virg. Eel. 8), suggesting a warning like that which
Shakespeare puts into the mouth of the repentant Cassio. It
should seem as if there was nothing in the thoughts or feelings
of a Pompeiian which he might not take a fancy to record on
the wall in prose or verse. Much of what they have written is
of such a quality that we can sympathise with the writer who,
in a Latin distich, expresses his wonder that the wall had not
fallen under the weight of so much nonsense.

Admiror paries te non cecidisse ruina
Cum tot scriptorum tcedia sustineas.

One writer records that he was troubled with phlegm. Another
expresses, with a false quantity, his displeasure with those who
do not invite him to dinner.

Ad guem non vocor, harharus ille mild est.

Very delicate secrets are revealed. Serena Isidorum fastidit :
Serena scorns Isidorus ; no doubt a suitor. Private character
is not spared ; Oppins Emholarius is called Fur furuncidus, thief
and larcener. Some express good wishes by Vale, Feliciter
vivas, &c.; some the reverse ; Samius exhorts Cornelius to hang
himself : Samius Cornelio, Suspendere. There is one good wish
suggestive of grave thoughts when read in connexion with
the fate of Pompeii: ^^Januarios nobis felices multis annis^^
Happy new year to us and many of them.” Perhaps before
January came round, the city may have been buried, and with
it both the author of the wish and those for whom it was
uttered.

This volume contains much that is instructive in regard to
the three languages in use in Pompeii — Latin, Greek, and
Oscan, especially to the Latin, its grammar, orthography,
and written character. For these uses, however, minute
study and close inspection would be necessary.

E 2

20

October 1st.— The Rev. J. Kenrick read a notice of the
sepulchral monument of ^lia Uliana. This piece of sculpture
^yas discovered, at a depth of between two and three feet, in the
excavations carrying on for the new coal depot of the N.E. Rail¬
way Station. It is of coarse gritstone, like so many of our
Roman monuments. The father and mother of ^lia Uliana
are represented sitting in an alcove, divided from the rest of the
apartment. A girl about seven or eight years old stands in
front of this division at one end, and a tripod table opposite to
it. The right arm of the husband is passed round the neck of
the wife ; in his left he holds something of uncertain character.
In some other monuments of this class the male figure holds a
scroll, indicative of some civil profession. His left elbow leans
on a cushion. The wife holds a cup in her hand. There is a
wooden wine vessel or doliiim on the floor, of wdiich the hoops
are clearly distinguishable, and on the tripod table a small cake
or loaf of bread. It belongs therefore to a class of Greek and
Roman sepulchral monuments, wdiich has much exercised
the ingenuity of antiquaries, in wdiich a meal appears, in
connexion wdth a commemoration of the dead. As this com¬
bination w\as first observed on Roman monuments, it was
naturally referred to the silicernium, a w^ord of uncertain
etymology denoting a meal or feast held by the surviving rela¬
tives of a deceased person.^ As the entertainment represented
on Roman monuments is generally of a simple kind, such as
that before us, which consists only of bread and wine, this ex¬
planation sufficed, and even where there was the appearance of
joyous festivity this w'as not absolutely inconsistent wdth the
notion of the funeral meal. But when scholars extended their
researches to Greek funereal sculptures, tliis explanation w^as
no longer satisfactory. Not only do they include a great variety
of dishes on the table placed before the two principal figures,
and an abundant supply of wine, but various accessories are
introduced, wdiich do not seem to belong to the silicernium.
Among these are the dog, a snake, a horse, represented in
abbreviation by his head ; and besides the husband and the

^ See Kirchmann de Funeribus Fomanoriim; p. 582.

wife, friends of the family are seen partaking of the feast.* As
a greater variety of accessories were noted, archseologists were
much perplexed and divided in their explanations. Some still
adhered to the old notion of a funeral feast — others regarded it
as emblematic of the feast which awaited the deceased in Hades;
others as a farewell entertainment to a traveller, about to go on
his last-journey, of which the horse was the emblem ; others
gave to all a mystical and mythological interpretation, which the
occasional appearance of a serpent among the accessories seemed
to countenance. The prevalent opinion at present is, that it is
simply the representation of a family meal, which, as the
characteristic act of domestic life, is significantly placed on the
funeral memorial of one of the departed members of the house¬
hold. *f“

Viewing it in this light, we should expect that the form
would vary according to the customs of the country in wdiich
the memorial was erected, and the circumstances of each family ;
being sometimes, as in our monument, of the most frugal sim¬
plicity, at other times expanding into a luxurious feast. Of the
latter, Gruter and Montfaucon furnish examples. { In some
there is not even the actual appearance of a feast, the parents
reclining as if in preparation for it, Avith nothing set before
them. The various accessories which appear in the more elab¬
orate sculptures receive a natural explanation on the same sup¬
position. The dog, Avho is often seen, especially in the Greek
monuments, made his appearance at meal times, to claim at
least the crumbs that fell from the table. And here Ave may
observe a curious illustration of the narrative in Mark vii. .^4-—
30, the intervieAv of our Lord Avith the Syro-phoenician Avoman,
Avho besought him to cure her daughter. He at first declined,
alleging that it Avas not meet to take the children’s bread and

See a representation of one of these (called by the perideipnoii) in a

A\'oodciit in Smith’s Dictionary of Greek and Tloman Antiquities, p. 436.

t See a large collection of monuments and a discussion of the question of
their import in “Das Fainilien Mahl, auf Alt-griechischen Grabsteinen,” von
P. Pervanoglu. Leipz. 1872. Also by the same author “ Die Grabsteine der
alten Greechen,” 1863. Letronne in Eev. ArchEeol. iii., p. 1.

% Gruter pag. dcccxliii. 5. dccccia'. 13. on a monument erected by a liheria
to her patron. Montfaucon Eng. Tr. i. 71. A^ 57. 67. Suppl. 499.

22

cast it to the clogs.” The dog was to a Jew the object of the
utmost contempt and abhorrence, as it is at this day to
Mahometans. Our Lord’s expression has not indeed that
harshness in the original, which it has in our translation, for
he uses a diminutive form of dog, which unfortunately it is
difficult to imitate in English, our only diminutives for this
animal being contemptuous. But the ready wit of the anxious
mother suggested to her to parry the argument from Jewish
customs and feelings, by one derived from her own country ;
for she was a Greek by descent, though a Syro-phoenician by
emigration or birth, ‘^True Lord, yet the little dogs under the
table eat of the crumbs which fall from the children’s table.”
The serpent again is no mystical or mythological emblem, but
simply the pet snake of the children. And the two little par¬
tridges and the gosling, who appear in one monument running
on the floor, are there to gather up some crumbs from the
children’s table. In many of the Greek funeral tablets the
head of a horse appears, and has been supposed, as I mentioned
before, to allude to the journey to the tomb, which like the
warrior in Burger’s ballad, the deceased performed on horse¬
back. But more accurate research has shown that the myth of
the spectre horseman, though familiar to the Slavonians and
modern Greeks, was unknown to the ancient Greeks and
Homans.* The presence of the horse in the assemblage of
objects on funeral monuments is explained therefore on the same
principle as that of the dog, and the snake and the partridges.
The Greek hoys must have been practised riders, or they could
not have had the Arm and graceful seat which they display on
the frieze of the Parthenon. No doubt therefore, when they
ceased equitare in arundine longa,t their father provided
them with a poney, who of course became the general favourite,
and deserved to be represented, though he could not well be
personally present, in the family group.

^ See Pervanogiu’s Dissertation, "before quoted, p. 54.
t The Eoman free-horn youths are taunted by Horace (Carm. iii. 24.) with
not being hardy riders.

Kescit equo rudis
Hserere ingenuus puer

Yenarique timet, ludere doctior.

23

Such is the explanation at present generally adopted of those
sepulchral monuments which exhibit emblems of a meal, more
or less luxurious and complicated. A very small proportion
belong properly to the Koman people ; the material, the art,
the language indicate their Greek origin, In the provinces of
the Roman empire their occurrence is rare — in Britain especially
so.*' The British and University Museums contain specimens
brought from Greece, or countries of Greek population.

It must not be supposed, however, that the sculptured monii=
ments dedicated to the memory of the dead always contain, along
with portraits, representations of a feast. We sometimes find
the figures simply reclining, though the conventional tripod
table has nothing upon it. In a monument to a deceased
daughter, discovered at Chester, and figured in Mr. Roach
Smith’s Collectanea Antiqua, (vol. vi., p. 34), a young maiden
is seen reclining on a couch, with a mirror in her hand, wRile a
female attendant stands behind, and the tripod table in front,
and a bird, no doubt a pet dove or sparrow, swings on a wreath
above. Other variations also occur, in which the original idea
of a feast has become subordinate, or even disappeared, f

I do not think that much of the original inscription on our
monument has been lost by the fracture which it has suffered.
Judging from the analogy of similar inscriptions it might he
completed by a few words, denoting the age of the daughter,
the names of her parents, and the expression of their sorrow.
It has evidently been originally a mural tablet, indicating the
place of the sarcophagus or urn in which the remains of ^lia
Uliana were deposited. It had probably been broken before it
was placed where it was found, which is above the usual level
of Roman remains, and no fragment was near it. Dr. Iliibner
says the photograph which I sent to him has just arrived in

* Our Museum contains a fragment of a monument, representing a female
reclining upon a couch, and holding a cup in her hand. It has belonged to the
same class as the monument of ^lia ^Eliana. See Descriptive Account, j). 33.

t The idea of commemorating a lady by her paraphernalia is carried still
further on a monument by a husband to his wife, preserved at Eome. G-ruter,
Dcccxv. 10. On it are sculptured her trinket box, her mirror, her hair pin, and
her necklace. In some instances the wife is represented as holding in her hand
the cista, which contained her ornaments.

24

time for him to include it in the Appendix to the forthcoming
volume of Roman Inscriptions in Britain. The absence of
ligatures and the form of the letters refer it to the end of the
second century, perhaps the reign of Commodus,

October 1st. — Mr. Pumphrey, on behalf of Mr. T. Allis,
F. S. L., the author, who was present, read a paper on the
skeleton of the apteryx, which said : — Towards the end of last
July, I received a note from my friend. Dr. Gibson, imforming
me that he had received from New Zealand the body of an
apteryx in spirits, and that he had left it at the Museum for me.
I brought it home, and, to keep our house free from smell, I
took it to the orchard-house to skin, which I found the most
difficult thing of the kind I had ever encountered. I sent to
the Museum for the transactions of the Zoological Society to see
Professor Owen’s account of the bird. I there found his figure
and description of the skin muscles, which explained the diffi¬
culty I had had in skinning the bird. The use of the muscles
of the skin appears to he to enable the bird to shake from itself
the dirt which must attach to the feathers from its burrowing
and scratching in the earth. I found he had figured the sternum
and scapulo-coracoid, with apertures through the hones. My
skeleton had no such apertures. His figure again exhibited the
caudal vertebrse between the ischium and the os pubis ; in my
skeleton the caudal vertebree were firmly anchylosed along the
top of the sacrum, quite out of sight, and from the extremity of
the sacrum descended a small tail composed of seven caudal
vertebim. In Professor Owen’s figure the first pair of ribs con¬
sists of a slender bone, terminating in a point. In my specimen
the same rib terminates abruptly, just below where a bony
appendage branches off to gain support from the next rib. On
the bird’s left side, the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th ribs are attached
to the sternum bv sternal ribs ; the 6th is attached to the 5th bv
membrane, and all those have bony processes extending over
the succeeding rib for support ; the Tth, 8th, and 9th proceed
from the sacrum, and have their ends fi-ee. On the right side
the 2nd rib terminates in a point, and has no articular surface
to which a sternal rib could have been attached. From the

25

trunk I took the muscle, without boiling, hut with the cervical
vertebrae and the legs I adopted my usual course of boiling.
After they had been boiled, till I thought the muscle would be
easily cleaned off with a brush, I took the kettle off the fire and
allowed it to cool, and then found that the muscle was as firmly
attached as ever. I therefore boiled them again for two or
three hours, and at last I found the ligament so firmly attached
to the bones that I had to take it off them individually with a
knife. This convinced me that it must have been a very old bird,
and led me to think that the difference between our skeletons
was merely the result of age, and that in the apteryx osseous
matter is so slowly formed and deposited, that anchylosis does
not take place early in life. The whole of the ribs also appear
to be wider in my skeleton and to cover more space than in
Professor Owen’s skeleton. The apteryx differs from all other
birds from having the nostrils almost at the extremity of the
bill, so that the organs of smell are so elaborate that they are
used for discovering its food ; while its eye is so feeble and
small, and different from what we should expect to find in a
nocturnal bird, and the sclerotic ring so feeble that the sight is
less developed than in almost any other bird. It differs again
from all other birds but the dinornis in having a scapulocoracoid.
The wing consists of a humerus, a radius and ulna, and two
or three fingers, but it has no metacarpal bones, and is smaller
than in any other bird. The bones are dark coloured, and in
texture more resemble those of a lizard than a bird. The broad
ribs are not covered by muscle, but by successive layers of strong
but thin membrane ; and the broad ribs, with their overlapping
appendages, are peculiarly fitted to resist the great pressure to
which they must be subjected in being forced violently through
the tangled forests of New Zealand by the great muscular power
of their legs. Professor Owen found the larva of a large butter¬
fly in the stomach of his bird ; also fragments of the legs and
wings of insects. The stomach of my bird was quite empty.
I forwarded to Professor Owen the substance of this paper, and
received a letter in reply. It "was dated from the British
Museum, 7th September, 1872, and Professor Owen observed: —
I am obliged by the facts which you have kindly imparted to

26

me, and which will contribute to complete our knowledge of
the osteology of that rare bird. They ought to be given to
science by yourself, and in your own words. At present my
memory does not recall any addition from my pen to the subject,
save in vol. iii. of the Zoological Transactions,” p. 31, and
plate 43, fig. 8, where the imperforate sternum of an older
kind than I first dissected is represented ; also ‘^Anatomy of
Vertebrates,” vol. ii., p. 24.

October 1st.-— Mr. J. F. Walker, M.A., F. C.S., read a
paper illustrated by explanatory diagrams, on Benzyl-ethyl-
benzol. He said he had already brought before the notice of
this Society Professor Kekule’s theory of the constitution of
Benzol, and of its substitution compounds, and also how it can
he formed by passing Acetylen through a red hot tube, which
may be obtained by direct union of Carbon with Hydrogen.
By substituting hydro-carbon radicals for one, or more atoms of
H, in Benzol, other hydro-carbons are formed. Several of these
are found in coal tar oil along with Benzol ; as Toluol, Xylol,
&c., all these contain the radical Methyl. Others have been
formed by the action of sodium on hromhenzol and iodides of
ethyl, &c. The ethyl-benzol thus obtained is a colourless
liquid, boiling at 133°C. By the action of chlorine on boiling
toluol benzyl chloride is obtained, an atom of H in the methyl
radical having been replaced by chlorine ; this is also a colour¬
less liquid, boiling at 176°. Dr. Zincke, when engaged on the
synthesis of aromatic acids, found that benzyl chloride when
heated in a sealed tube with finely divided copper formed a
resinous substance which had the formula O7 Hq probably a
polymeric stilben. When the benzyl chloride was diluted with
an aromatic hydro-carbon, this resin was not formed, but a
peculiar smelling oil. He afterwards observed that when finely
powdered zinc was substituted for copper, the re-action com¬
menced under 100°0. The zinc was only slightly attacked,
much hydro-chloric acid was liberated, and the liquid became
coloured red-purple. He obtained in this way Benzyl-benzol
and Benzyl-toluol. He (Mr. Walker) had in like manner
formed a new hydro-carbon, Benzyl-ethyl-henzol, by the action

27

of zinc and Benzyl-chloride and ethyl-benzol. Fifty grammes
of ethyl-benzol and 60 grammes of Benzyl-chloride were heated
along with powdered zinc, in flask with an inverted condenser,
till no more H Cl was liberated ; the liquid was poured ofl*
from the zinc and distilled till the thermometer rose to 250°.
The distillate (80 grammes) was, along with 50 grammes of
ethyl-benzol and 70° of benzyl-chloride, treated in the same
manner. The distillate from this (87 grammes) was likewise
heated with 50 grammes of ethyl-benzol and 80 grammes of
benzyl-chloride, and the distillate (42 grammes) was mixed with
50 grammes of ethyl-benzol and 90 grammes of benzyl-chloride,
and the operation repeated. The collected residues over (250°)
were repeatedly submitted to fractional distillation, till a constant
boiling point was obtained. From 200 grammes of ethyl-benzol
and 800 of benzyl-chloride he obtained 105 grammes of the
pure hydro-carbon, and 46 grammes of unchanged ethyl-benzol.
He also, at the same time, received some other hydro-carbons
boiling above 850°0, which he was unable to purify for want of
a suitable thermometer. The Benzyl-ethyl-benzol Cg H5 — C Hg
Cg H4 — C2 H5 is a colourless liquid, sp. gr. 0*985 at 18°:9.C, it
has a weak aromatic peculiar smell ; it is easily soluble in Alco°
hoi. Ether, or Chloroform, insoluble in water. It boils between
294° and 295°C. This hydro-carbon may also he regarded as
a substitution compound of JNIethan, C H4, in which two atoms
of H are replaced, one by phenyl, Cg Hg, and the other by ethyl-
phenyl, Cg H4 — C2 Hg ; the hydro-carbon may then be called
phenyl-ethylphenyl-methan. When 10 grammes of the pure
hydro-carbon are oxidized by being boiled for several days, with a
mixture of 60 grammes of bichromate of potassium and 90
grammes of sulphuric acid and 270 grammes of water, in a flask
w’ith an inverted condenser, a Ketone, Cg Hg — C O — Cg H4 — Cg
Hg is flrst formed, which is further oxidized into a Ketone-acid,
Benzoyl-benzoic acid, Cg Hg — C O — Cg H4 — C O O H, before
all the hydro-carbon is attacked. When the hydro-carbon had
disappeared, the liquid was distilled with a current of steam
passing through it, the Ketone came over with the vapour, the
distillate was shaken with ether which separated the Ketone ;
the ether was then evaporated, and the residue which it left was

28

distilled to 850% a brown resinous substance remained in the
flask ; the distillate was too small to fractionate. The bichro¬
mate solution was filtered ; a cjuantity of dark green nodules
were obtained, which were composed of the acid united, with the
chromic oxide. These were powdered, and boiled on a water
bath in a flask with soda, then filtered ; the filtrate was a dark
brown colour, ft was rendered acid by hydro-chloric acid, which
precipitated a white curdy powder, which was collected on a
niter, washed wdth cold water, then re-dissolved in carbonate of
sodium, filtered, re-precipitated by hydro-chloric acid, filtered,
washed, dissolved on the filter with boiling alcohol, and precipi¬
tated by hot water, filtered and washed with cold water, again
re-dissolved in boiling alcohol, boiled with animal charcoal to
remove traces of colour, filtered, precipitated by boiling water,
filtered, washed, dried. The acid thus formed is precisely
identical vcith that obtained by Dr. Zincke by the oxidation,
with the same re-agents, of Benzyl-toluol ; it occurs as white
silky plates which melt at 194% can be sublimed, and forms
crystalline salts. The formation of the same acid from these
two hydro-carbons shows that the relative positions of the re¬
placed atoms of hydrogen in the second benzol ring are the same;
and also that these hydro-carbons follow the same law of oxida¬
tion as the aromatic hydro-carbons which have one atom of
hydrogen replaced by a hydro-carbon radical of the fatty series,
in which case benzoic acid is always formed, the length of the
side chain making no difference. It will also be observed that
these complicated hydro-carbons and acids can be built up
synthetically from the simple elements — carbon and hydrogen.
The paper was illustrated by diagrams from the pencil of Mr.
Wakefield.

November 5th.— The Chairman (W. Gray, Esq.,) said the
collection of antiquities which lay on the table was not an ordi¬
nary donation. It had been presented by their respected vice-
president the Bev. J. Kenrick, and represented the labour of a
York antiquary, the late Mr. James Cook.

Mr. Ford said it would be right for the meeting to depart a
little from the ordinary practice of combining together the whole

29

of the presentations, and that a special interest should he taken
in that invaluable collection, which at a very considerable cost
had been presented by the Rev. J. Kenrick. He was not at
liberty to name the cost, hut it had been freely and nobly given.
In Mr. Kenrick’s letter to the Council he (Mr. Ford) might
state that he spoke of his remembrance of his beloved friend Mr.
Wellbeloved — who was so w'ell known to all connected with the
society since its commencement — -who had expressed his anxiety
that from time to time they should he alive to the opportunities
for collecting such things as were illustrative of Roman or
ancient York. Nothing was more fitting than that the Society
should in its rooms he a depository for everything of the kind
that could be collected. They had difficulties with regard to
the collections which were now being dug up. It was almost
impossible to prevent the men who were working from appro¬
priating such things as they conveniently could ; nevertheless
they had got a pretty fair collection of one kind or another.
He, however, wished to call attention to the collection before
them as extremely valuable. He was not qualified to dilate
upon the specimens, but he knew that a great deal of that pre¬
sented would be invaluable to their Museum. Therefore lie
had great pleasure in moving that a special vote of thanks be
passed to Mr. Kenrick for the collection.

Mr. W. C. Anderson, in seconding the proposition, also
spoke of the great value of the collection. No doubt Mr.
Kenrick had given a very considerable sum for it, with a view
to securing for the Yorkshire Museum the best collection of the
kind in the neighbourhood of York. They were extremely
obliged to him for it — and for the very large sum which he
knew it had cost him.

The Rev. G. V. Smith supported the proposition. The late
Mr. Cook resided in Holgate Road, where he died in June last
at the age of 87. For 70 years he had been engaged in that
work of collecting — he commenced in his youth and continued
the practice during the whole of those years. Every object on
the table was catalogued, and the copy of the catalogue which
Mr. Cook had made, was given with the articles and would he
in the possession of the Museum. There was also another cir-

30

cumstance to mention. Mr. Cook was very ingenious and a good
draughtsman, and had made a coloured catalogue illustrative
of each of the principal objects contained in the collection. It
was the most remarkable piece of work he had ever met with.
That of course remained in the possession of the family.

The Chairman said he was sure they would have great
pleasure in giving a vote of thanks to Mr. Kenrick for his
distinguished liberality to that society. He knew Mr. Cook
many years since, when he (Mr. Gray) was a little boy. Mr.
Cook showed him his geological collection twenty-five years
since, and that, he understood, was to come into the possession
of the society. With respect to the specimens of glass in the
present collection, he said he did not know whether, a thousand
years hence, people would think so much of them as they did, but
certainly there was more elegance in the specimens before them
than in what they were doing now in that way. He then put
the vote of thanks, which was carried unanimously.

December 3rd. — The Rev. J. Kenrick having personally
acknowledged the vote of thanks which had been accorded to
him at the last monthly meeting of the society, for his handsome
present of the antiquarian collection of the late Mr. James Cook,
made the following observations : — The Roman coin exhibited,
found in the railway excavations, is a second brass of the
Emperor Domitian, in good preservation, though its beauty has
suffered from attempts to remove the patina so dear to numis¬
matists. On the obverse it hears the head of the Emperor with
the legend Imp. Caes. Domit. Aug. Germ. Cos. xiii. Ce7is.
Perp. P.P. On the reverse it has the legend Virtuti Augusii
S. C.j with a military figure standing. The thirteenth consul¬
ship of Domitian corresponds to the year A. d. 87, and the in¬
scription Virhiti Augusii is a piece of self-flattery, since his
wars with the Germans were carried on by his legates, while he
kept aloof from the scene of action.^ The title of Perpetual
Censor, which had been declined by Augustus, though he exer¬
cised the power, *f* was first assumed by Domitian. Since my
paper on the monument of ^lia Uliana was read, it has been
Dion Domit. c. 4. f Sueton Octavian. c. 27.

31

pointed out to me by Mr. Raine that in the lower apartment of
the Hospitium there is a fragment of a monument of similar
character. It is numbered 18 in the last edition of the descrip¬
tive catalogue, and thus described — A fragment of a sculptured
stone, on which a female appears to have been represented
reclining on a couch, and holding a small cup in her left hand.”
It might have been added that a tripod table stands in front of
the couch, serving decisively to mark the class of monuments to
which it belongs. Nothing is said of the place from which it
came.

The Chairman (Mr. J. Ford) briefly alluded to the splendid
display of meteors on the previous Wednesday evening, stating
that at the Friends’ school, in Bootham, considerable interest
was thereby excited, and he had pleasure in reading the follow¬
ing notice of the occurrence which had been prepared by his
friend Mr. Waller : — He said that Professor Herschell invited
astronomers to look out during the last week in November and
the first week in December for meteors following in the track of
Biela’s comet. This comet divided into two in 1846, almost
under the eyes of astronomers. The two returned in 185^. In
1866 they w^re expected and looked for, but not seen. The
course of the comet agreed closely with the observed track of the
meteors seen on the evening of Wednesday, the 27th ult. The
usual November meteors radiate from Leo ; hence called Leo¬
nides. The meteors of last Wednesday had their radiant point
near Andromeda, or, as observed by Mr. Waller, B.Sc., one of
the masters at the Friends’ School, from a point in a line from
Cassiopeia through Andromeda to Perseus. The radiant point
determines identity. This, then, was the meteoric train of
Biela’s vanished comet. About six o’clock on the evening of
the 27th, twenty per minute were seen ; at seven, about thirty-
six ; and at eight, about fifty ; so that several hundreds must
have been observed. Biela, an officer residing at Prague, in
February, 1826, observed the comet which bears his name. It
has a period of about six and three-quarter years. Its return
was predicted for 1832, and it crossed the earth’s orbit a month
before the earth arrived at the point of intersection.

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