Minutes of meeting, 15 March 1792
Reference code
SAL/02/024/041
Title
Minutes of meeting, 15 March 1792
Date
15/3/1792
Level of description
Item
Scope and content
The following Fellow was recommended for election: Edward Ford.
The following Fellow was admitted to the Society: Dr. Robert Bland.
It was reported that the Audit Committee of Alexander Aubert, Thomas Astle, Edmund Turnor and J P Layard, having examined the Treasurer (John Topham)’s Accounts for the year ending 31st December 1791, found them to be just and true. They confirmed the sums of income and expenditure had left the Treasurer a balance of £456-15s-10 ½ d in favour of the Society. Consolidated stock was £5,500.
Robert Riddell exhibited a drawing of “a brass Celt” found in Jersey in 1779 [a Bronze Age palstave], and a drawing of a “brass pot” [Medieval bronze tripod ewer] found in 1789 when cleaning out a medical well in a bog [moss] at Closeburn [near Closeburn Hall, Nithsdale / Dumfries and Galloway].
John Noorthouck on the comparative merits of arch shapes in building, commenting on the relative load-bearing abilities of circular and semicircular arches and the need for abutments. He observed on the progression through experience from Roman to Gothic styles, from circular to pointed arches, and on the suspended slack chain as giving the optimal shape [catenary].
Continued reading of Dr. Samuel Pegge’s account of Anglo-Saxon coins in the Cotton Library. On the absence of coins from British princes of the post-Roman era he observed that, while earlier kings such as Cunobelin had struck coins, the Romans took over production but, when they left, the implements and skills went with them. Thereafter, the Saxons did not mint coinage until the 8th century. He then commented on the attribution of British gold and electrum specimens preserved in collections, some of which bore names and images. He had a drawing of a coin, presumed struck at Verulam by a Briton at a time before the Romans had their own mint. Further consideration of this paper was postponed.
The following Fellow was admitted to the Society: Dr. Robert Bland.
It was reported that the Audit Committee of Alexander Aubert, Thomas Astle, Edmund Turnor and J P Layard, having examined the Treasurer (John Topham)’s Accounts for the year ending 31st December 1791, found them to be just and true. They confirmed the sums of income and expenditure had left the Treasurer a balance of £456-15s-10 ½ d in favour of the Society. Consolidated stock was £5,500.
Robert Riddell exhibited a drawing of “a brass Celt” found in Jersey in 1779 [a Bronze Age palstave], and a drawing of a “brass pot” [Medieval bronze tripod ewer] found in 1789 when cleaning out a medical well in a bog [moss] at Closeburn [near Closeburn Hall, Nithsdale / Dumfries and Galloway].
John Noorthouck on the comparative merits of arch shapes in building, commenting on the relative load-bearing abilities of circular and semicircular arches and the need for abutments. He observed on the progression through experience from Roman to Gothic styles, from circular to pointed arches, and on the suspended slack chain as giving the optimal shape [catenary].
Continued reading of Dr. Samuel Pegge’s account of Anglo-Saxon coins in the Cotton Library. On the absence of coins from British princes of the post-Roman era he observed that, while earlier kings such as Cunobelin had struck coins, the Romans took over production but, when they left, the implements and skills went with them. Thereafter, the Saxons did not mint coinage until the 8th century. He then commented on the attribution of British gold and electrum specimens preserved in collections, some of which bore names and images. He had a drawing of a coin, presumed struck at Verulam by a Briton at a time before the Romans had their own mint. Further consideration of this paper was postponed.
Creator
Society of Antiquaries of London
Archival history
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