corners and the ornamental details being of the graceful decorative patterns afterwards so generally used; the figures also, though partaking of the earlier Gothic style, stand in the conventional arcade so familiar to those who have visited and examined the monuments and buildings of Italy. The bishop's figure, in his full pontifical robes, with mitre and pastoral staff, lies somewhat on his right side, his head on a highly ornate cushion, his feet resting on the lion couchant. His robes are most elaborately adorned with embroidery. His features are well modelled, every detail is carefully elaborated, and little injured by time. The seven figures in the arcade above appear to represent various arts, of which they carry symbols in their hands. Below the bishop are ten female figures, apparently of the religious orders, who seem to be mourning, and support a scroll bearing the words which record the birth and death of the bishop. I am glad to be able to exhibit a drawing of this beautiful monument, which is here reproduced. I have now spent so much space on only two examples in French cities that I must hasten on, and leave some others that I intended citing for future discussion. There are some minor works of art, however, representative of the mediæval period, which are noticeable in many French and continental towns. I allude to the fine ironwork decorations which are so general and so characteristic of the prevailing taste. Beautiful iron gates of elaborate design are to be met with in most places. Balconies, more for ornament than use, screens and doors in churches, these are scattered with the profuse generosity of the citizens and their benefactors. Even such trivial and common articles as doorknockers were designed and manufactured as works of art. I append a sketch of two of these ancient curiosities from the doors of houses in the streets of Valence, of which there are numerous even more elaborate examples. The Grande Rue at Valence is historically interesting, as it was in this street that the great Napoleon lived in his early youth, when still a sub-lieutenant of artillery; and the house, No. 4, was some years ago still pointed out as his lodgings. There are many other remains of great interest in this old town, the cathedral in particular having some peculiarities which would attract architects and antiquaries; but it is earlier and belongs to the Romanesque period, consequently I will not here remark upon it; indeed, having already taken up so much time and space in treating of so small a portion of the subject before me, I must now conclude for the present, and postpone further researches to a future occasion. British Archaeological Association. FIFTY-FOURTH ANNUAL CONGRESS, AT CONWAY, 1897. THURSDAY, AUGUST 19TH, то WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25тн. PATRON. HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES. PRESIDENT. THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD MOSTYN. VICE-PRESIDENTS. THE DUKE OF NORFOLK, K.G., EARL MARSHAL. THE DUKE OF SUTHERLAND. K.G. THE MARQUESS OF BUTE, K.T., LL.D. THE MARQUESS OF RIPON, K.G., G.C.S.I. THE EARL OF MOUNT-EDGCUMBE, D.C.L. THE EARL NELSON. THE EARL OF NORTHBROOK, G.C.S.I. THE EARL OF WINCHILSEA AND NOT TINGHAM. THE RIGHT REV. THE LORD BISHOP OF ELY, D.D. THE RIGHT REV. THE LORD BISHOP OF LLANDAFF, D.D., F.S.A. SIR CHAS. H. ROUSE BOUGHTON, BART. SIR JOHN EVANS, K.C.B., D.C.L., LL.D., F.R.S., F.S.A. SIR ALBERT WOODS, K.C.M G., F.S.A. (Garter King of Arms.) ALD, and COL. SIR WALTER WILKIN. COLONEL THE HON. W. E. SACKVILLE SIR LLEWELYN TURNER. THE MAYOR OF CONWAY (R. ARTHUR PRICHARD, Esq., J.P.) THE VERY REV. THE DEAN OF ST. WM. CARTER, ESQ., M.D. ARTHUR CATES, ESQ., F.R.I.B.A. WILLIAM H. COPE, ESQ., F.S.A. R. R. CROWE, ESQ. H. SYER CUMING, ESQ., F.S. A.Scor. THOS. DALTON, ESQ. CHAS. H, DARBISHIRE, Esq. THOS. ELIAS, ESQ., Llanrwst. J. E. FINCHAM, ESQ. COLONEL GOUGH, C.M.B. JAMES HEYWOOD, ESQ., F.R.S., F.S.A. H. R. HUGHES, ESQ., of Kinmel. REV. S. M. MAYHEW, M.A. ROBERT NORTON, ESQ., F.R C.S. J. S PHENÉ, ESQ., LL.D., F.S.A., F.G.S., F.R.G.S. J. ALLANSON PICTON, ESQ., M.A., J. P. O. S. PILKINGTON, ESQ., Assoc. M. INST. C.E. COLONEL H. PLATT, C.B. A. A. SARSON, ESQ. W. M. SEVES, ESQ. JOS. SMITH, ESQ. JAS. WAINWRIGHT, ESQ., J.P. A. O. WALKER, ESQ. C. J. WALLACE, ESQ, M.A., J.P. J. ADEY WELLS, ESQ. H. CLARENCE WHAITE, ESQ., P.R.C.A., G. S. WOOD, ESQ. ALLAN WYON, ESQ., F.S.A. [R. W.S. LOCAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. Chairman-THE MAYOR OF CONWAY (R. ARTHUR PRICHARD, ESQ., J.P.). Hon. Treasurer-THOMAS BLASHILL, ESq. Vice-Treasurer-S. RAYSON, ESq., 32, Sackville Street, Piccadilly, W. Hon. Secretaries GEORGE PATRICK, ESQ., A.R.I.B.A., 16, Red Lion Square, W.C. 1 THURSDAY, AUGUST 19TH, 1897. THE fifty-fourth Annual Congress of this Association was opened on Thursday, the 19th August, under the Presidency of the Right Hon. the Lord Mostyn, at Conway. The members assembled at the Guildhall, where they were formally welcomed by the Mayor, Dr. R. Arthur Pritchard, J.P., and with little delay proceeded to the ancient castle, under the guidance of the local hon. secretary, Mr. T. B. Farrington, who explained the various features of special interest in the fortification. Conway is unique in Britain, if not in Europe, in being the most perfectly preserved example of a fortified and completely walled town in which the military architecture of the thirteenth century is predominant. The castle and town having been built by the command, and under the personal supervision, of Edward I, it follows that one period and style of architecture are prevalent throughout. The castle was built between the years 1281 and 1284, and in the latter year the King and his Queen, Eleanor, kept Christmas within its walls. Henry Elverton, who also built Carnarvon, was its master-builder, or architect; and it is a magnificent specimen of the style of fortress the idea of which was brought back by the Crusaders from the Holy Land, being ultimately derived from the great Roman castles found there, and modified by the Normans and Plantagenets after Saracenic models. The area occupied by the castle is considerable, but of irregular formation, owing to its occupying the highest point of a steep rock projecting into the waters of the Conway and the Gyffin, which here join and together fall into the sea. The interior of the castle is now a complete ruin, the walls overgrown with ivy, trees and plants growing out of the masonry; nevertheless, it is still possible without much |