however, one artistic gem which has perhaps no rival in any other cathedral in the British Isles, namely, the paintings by Rossetti in the reredos; forming, as it were, a triptych, with the subject of the Nativity in the central panel, and of David as shepherd and as king in the side ones. There are also several painted windows of great excellence by Messrs. Morris and Marshall, from cartoons by Burne Jones and other artists of eminence.

EVENING MEETING, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17TH.

The concluding evening meeting, of members only, was held in the Town Hall at 8.30 P.M., for the transaction of the business of the Association. The chair having been taken by the Ven. Archdeacon Thomas, one of the Editors was called upon to read the annual report.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR 1888.

"The present meeting at Cowbridge is the fifth which has been held in the county of Glamorgan, the previous ones having taken place at Cardiff in 1849; Bridgend, 1869; Swansea, 1861, 1886. The selection of Cowbridge has been fully justified by the large number of objects of archæological interest set down on the programme of the excursions, and the valuable papers on the history of the district to be read at the evening meetings. The Association is also to be congratulated in having secured so able a President as the Lord Bishop of the diocese of Llandaff. Now that most of the larger towns in Wales have been visited during the annual meetings, it seems worthy of consideration whether in future it may not be desirable to take some of the smaller places, from which less known but equally interesting neighbourhoods could be explored. It is a matter of regret that a local museum was not formed at Cowbridge this year, but it had to be abandoned owing to unforeseen difficulties encountered by the Local Secretary.

"The condition of the Association as regards the number of members is satisfactory; but, at the same time, if the Local Secretaries and others would use their influence to induce new members to join our body, its strength might be considerably increased. present there are 286 Associates altogether, including the following new members whose names have been submitted for election.

"ENGLISH AND FOREIGN.

Howell, Tudor, Esq., 6, King's Bench Walk, Temple, E.C.
Jones, David, Esq., Norton Lodge, Wallington, Surrey.
Rennes, Bibliothèque de, France.

"NORTH WALES.

"Davies, D. G., Esq., B.A., 200, High Street, Bangor.
Griffith, J. E., Esq., Vronheulog Villa, Upper Bangor.
Keene, A. J., Esq., Mold.

"SOUTH WALES.

"Lisburne, the Countess of, Crosswood, Aberystwith.
Drummond, Sir James, Bart., Edwinsford, Llandeilofawr.
Jones, Rev. Ebenezer, Golden Grove Vicarage, Carmarthen
James, Ivor, Esq., Registrar, University College, Cardiff.
Jones, Oliver Henry, Esq., Fonmon Castle, Cardiff.
Kirkhouse, Rev. H., Cyfarthfa Vicarage, Merthyr Tydfil.
Morgan, Rev. Lewis, M.A., St. Hilary Rectory, Cowbridge.
De Winton, W. S., Esq., Haroldston, Haverfordwest.
Ricketts, Rev. John, M.A., Llangyullo Vicarage, Knighton.
Newell, Rev. E. J., Collegiate School, Newport.

"THE MARCHES.

"Kempson, F. R., Esq., F.R.I.B.A., Bromyard, Hereford.

"We have to regret the loss of the following members, deceased:"C. Octavius S. Morgan, Esq., F.R.S., F.S.A.

The Right. Hon. A. J. B. Beresford Hope, Esq., M.P.,
M.A., F.S.A.

Matthew Holbeche Bloxham, Esq., F.S.A.

Howel Gwyn, Esq., M.A.

Major A. E. L. Lawson Lowe

"The changes proposed amongst the officers of the Association. are as follows:

"COMMITTEE.

"It is proposed to re-elect the retiring members of the Committee, namely :—

"H. W. Lloyd, Esq., M.A.

Morris C. Jones, Esq., F.S.A.
Rev. Canon M. H. Lee, M.A.

'TRUSTEES.

"It is proposed to elect Stanley Leighton, Esq., M.A., M.P., F.S.A., a Trustee, in place of C. Octavius Morgan, Esq., F.R.S., F.S.A., deceased.

"CORRESPONDING SECRETARIES.

"It is proposed to elect W. F. Wakeman, Esq., Corresponding Secretary for Ireland, in place of the Rev. James Graves, M.A., deceased.

"LOCAL SECRETARIES.

"It is proposed to elect as Local Secretaries: for Anglesey, Thomas Prichard, Esq., in place of the Rev. R. Williams Mason; for Merionethshire, the Rev. J. E. Davies, in place of Owen Richards, Esq.; for Carmarthenshire, Alcwyn Evans, Esq., in place of the

Rev. Benjamin Williams; for Glamorganshire, Thomas Powel, Esq., in place of J. T. D. Llewelyn, Esq.; for Pembrokeshire, W. S. de Winton, Esq., in place of the Rev. J. Tombs, B.A.; for Monmouthshire, the Rev. Benjamin Williams, in place of T. D. Roberts, Esq.; and for the Marches, the Rev. C. H. Drinkwater, in place of R. Kyrke Penson, Esq., F.S.A.

"The literary works by members of the Cambrian Archæological Association published during the past year include Mr. Edward Laws' History of Little England beyond Wales; the Ven. Archdeacon Thomas's History of the Diocese of St. Asaph (S.P.C.K.); Professor J. Rhys' Hibbert Lectures; and Mr. J. A. Corbett's new edition of Rice Merrick's Booke of Glamorganshire Antiquities. Messrs. Blades, East, and Blades have also issued to subscribers the facsimile of the MS. of the Duke of Beaufort's Progress through Wales in 1684, published under the direction of the Cambrian Archaeological Association.

The

"The excavations at Strata Florida Abbey, begun two years ago, have lately been carried on most energetically by Mr. Stephen Williams, as will be seen from his fully illustrated report appearing in the number of the Arch. Camb. for January 1889. ground-plan of the Abbey has been entirely made out, but a good deal remains yet to be done in clearing the site of the conventual buildings. The whole of the excavations have been fenced in, and further precautions are to be taken to protect the ruins from damage.

"It is the pleasant duty of the Editors to thank those members who have contributed papers and other matter to the Journal of the Association, thus enabling it to compare favourably with the publications of other societies. The Editors, however, are obliged to complain of the very small assistance they receive from the Local Secretaries. With two or three exceptions, the Local Secretaries never communicate with the Editors from one year's end to another. An endeavour was made within the last few months to improve this state of things, by forwarding the following letter to each of the Local Secretaries:

"Dear Sir,-It is very desirable that the organisation of the Association should be made as efficient as possible, and since this depends to a large extent on the exertions of the Local Secretaries, we shall feel greatly obliged if you will kindly endeavour to assist the Editors, (1) by reporting any new discoveries in your neighbourhood; (2) by sending cuttings from local newspapers containing matter relating to Welsh history or archæology; (3) by pointing out objects of interest which have not yet been noticed in the Journal, and getting photographs, drawings, and descriptions of them; (4) by calling attention to any acts of vandalism you may have heard of; (5) by giving information about proposed or completed restorations of churches; (6) by putting persons willing to help in the work of the Association (whether members or not) in communi

cation with the Editors; and (7) by encouraging new members to join our body.We remain, dear Sir, yours faithfully,

"THE EDITORS.'

"The Index of the Arch. Camb. is ready for the press, and will be published shortly.

"It would be impossible to conclude this report without saying how great a loss the Association has sustained by the death of its late Vice-President, Mr. Matthew Holbeche Bloxam. He will be deeply regretted by those who were fortunate enough to have been numbered amongst his intimate friends; and those who made his acquaintance at our annual meetings will ever cherish pleasant remembrances of his genial companionship; nor will they forget the benefit received from the vast stores of knowledge he was so ready to impart to others."

The adoption of the Report was moved, seconded, and carried. Afterwards the following motions were proposed, seconded, and carried:

(1) That the next annual meeting of the Association be held in Brittany.

(2) That the wood-blocks belonging to the Association be removed from Messrs. Whiting and Co.'s premises in Sardinia Street to Mr. Clark's office in Lincoln's Inn Fields, and insured for the sum of £100.

(3) That Proceedings be exchanged with the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archæological Society.

(4) That the subscriptions of members living in South Wales be received by Mr. R. W. Banks instead of by Mr. E. Laws.

(5) That the receipt of Proceedings of Archæological Societies received in exchange be duly acknowledged.

(6) That £10 be subscribed by the Association towards the Strata Florida Excavation Fund, subject to the favourable report of Mr. E. Laws.

(7) That a proposal made by Mr. Egerton Phillimore be allowed to stand over.

(8) That, in reply to the following letter from the Society of Antiquaries, Mr. Edward Owen and Mr. J. Romilly Allen be appointed delegates to the proposed Congress for the better organisation of Archæological Research.

"Society of Antiquaries of London, "Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, W.

"In accordance with a request conveyed in a memorial from a large number of representative members of various Archæological Societies throughout England and Wales, the President and Council of the Society of Antiquaries of London have resolved to summon a congress of delegates of the leading local societies, to be held in

their apartments at Burlington House on a day in the ensuing autumn hereafter to be fixed.

"Each Society will be requested to send not more than two delegates to the Congress, the object of which will be to consider in what manner to promote-(1) The better organisation of antiquarian research; and (2) the preservation of ancient monuments and records. It is thought that the most effective means of obtaining these results will be-(a) To establish a group of local societies which shall be in correspondence with the Society of Antiquaries of London; (b) to request these societies to report from time to time to the Society of Antiquaries on all important discoveries within their districts, in doing which the Local Secretaries of the Society of Antiquaries will be ready and willing to afford assistance; (c) to encourage the formation of lists of ancient objects of different kinds in each local society's district, and to assist in devising the best system on which such lists can be drawn up; (d) to consider in what manner a general archæological survey of England and Wales by counties, on the plan approved of by the Society of Antiquaries and begun in Kent, may be completed; (e) to define the limits within which each local society should work; (f) to promote the foundation of new local societies where none exist, and the improvement and consolidation of existing societies where advisable.

"I am desired to invite an expression of opinion from your Society on the proposals above recited, and to ask them to nominate not more than two delegates, who would attend the proposed Congress should your Society be willing to co-operate in the undertaking.

"On the receipt of the answers from the various societies, no time will be lost in fixing a day for the Congress.

'By order of the Council,

"HAROLD ARTHUR DILLON, Secretary."

(9) That a new list of members be prepared and issued annually. The proceedings then terminated.

EXCURSION TO STRATA FLORIDA, MONDAY,
AUGUST 20TH.

After the meeting of the Cambrian Archeological Association at Cowbridge, a party of members and their friends was formed to visit Strata Florida Abbey, Cardiganshire, the ruins of which have been excavated during the past year, under the superintendence of Mr. Stephen Williams. The members of the Cambrian Archæological Association, together with a large number of the most influential persons in the neighbourhood, assembled at the ruins. The day unfortunately proving wet, the formal proceedings were held