'i):l ViWCii.ii.D.Mi6 AT MEETI>.Usi Ui:

with ])euJaiit tags, fuuud iu Hungary, ami that they had usually been cuu- siJered by archaeologists, iu tliat part of Europe, as appendages of horse- furniture. Mk. Frederick Manning sent a notice of an ancient vessel of large size, discovered in May, 1848, deeply imbedded in the mud at Southamptou. From peculiarities of construction, and other circumstances, it was aflBrmed by persons who examined the remains, that this vessel was of very ancient build, and the conjecture obtained credence, that it possibly had been a Roman galley. The station of Clausentum was not far distant ; some antiquaries, indeed, have placed the site at Southampton. Mr. William F. Vernon, of Hilton Park, Staffordshire, gave the fol- lowing particulars relating to a curious bronze image, connected with the ancient manorial customs of his paternal property at that place, and still there preserved. This singular figure, which has been regarded by some antiquaries as an image of the German deity, Busterichus, was exhibited. " The earliest mention that I can find of Jack of Hilton, iu the deeds at Hilton, is in a bill, entitled — A Bill in the Court of Wards — ' Petition to the R*^ Hou*^'*^ Lord Burghleigh, Lord highe Tresorer of England, M"" of her M. highness' court of Ward and Lyveries. — Gilbert Wakering, versus Townshend «k others.' Sir Gilbert Wakering, it should be observed, was appointed by the Queen guardian of Margaret Vernon, 39 Eliz., 1596-7. Lord Burleigh died 1598. The age of this document may thus be very nearly ascertained. " This bill, after many complaints against the defendant, goes on to say — " ' And whereas there hath beene belonginge to the cheafe capital mesuage of the manner of Hilton, aforesaid, being parcell of the warde's inheritance, tyme whereoff the memorie of man is not to the contrarie, an ancient statue, image, instrumente, or heir loome of brasse, of the fashion, pro- portion, and likeness of a boy, comouly called Jack of Hyltou, which evrie yeare in the Cristmas tyme was accustomed to be placed in the hall of the manor house at Hilton aforesaid, where <k when the tenante of the same maunor did and used to doe certayue servyces for the better retayninge of the same k, their tenures in memorie ; and the same statue, image, instru- ment, or heir loome, the said Henrie Vernon at the tyme of his diceace (21 June, 1592) did leave in the saide capitall mesuage of Hilton, meaning & intending that the same should come h be unto his heirs and to the lawful owners of the said manner bouse of Hilton, yet so it is that the said Henrie Townshend and th'other parties aforesaid, or some of them, or some other person by their or some one of their meanes, direction, or privitie, hath lately embezeled and deforced, and keepeth and detayneth the same statue, image, instrumente or heire loome, in a place farre distante from the said matmor of Hilton, and doe withholde the same from her Maj" said warde, to the discontinuance of the services of the tenante of the said mannor of Hilton, and to the danger of the loss & utter extinguish- ment of the same services, contrarie to the meaning of tiie said Henrie Vernon, and against right, &c.'

• • 1 also find another petition in the Court of Wards from John Veruou,

the ward's uncle, against Henry Townshend, dated 1598, and directed ' To the right hon"^ S'^ Robert Cyrell Deverax, of the most noble order of the Garter, knight. Earl of Essex k Ewe, and M-^ of her Maj<=« Court of Warde «t Lyveries.' " * In most humble manner shcweth, Lc, kc, inter alia, that wherea.'«