Glasgow Archæological Society. REPORT BY THE COUNCIL PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 19TH NOVEMBER, 1891. FOR SESSION 1890-91. WITH ABSTRACT OF TREASURER'S ACCOUNTS; AND LIST OF MEMBERS AS AT 31ST DECEMBER, 1891, ETC. ROOMS OF THE SOCIETY, 207 BATH STREET. GLASGOW : PUBLISHED FOR THE SOCIETY BY JAMES MACLEHOSE & SONS, ST. VINCENT STREET, Publishers to the University. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, 19TH NOVEMBER, 1891. The ORDINARY MONTHLY MEETINGS of the SOCIETY will be held in the SOCIETY'S ROOMS, 207 Bath Street, at Eight o'clock on the Evenings of Thursday, 17th December, 1891. Thursday, 21st January, 1892. Thursday, 17th March, 1892. Glasgow Archæological Society. REPORT BY THE COUNCIL FOR SESSION 1890-91. THE Council have pleasure in presenting their Report to the Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting. Six meetings were as usual held during the Winter Session, and the following papers were read: 1890. Nov. 20." The Episcopal Seals of Glasgow" (with exhibits), by the Most Rev. Archbishop Eyre, D.D. Dec. 18.--(1) "Recent alterations in the choir of Glasgow Cathedral and Note on Post-Reformation Chancel Arrangements," by the President. (2) "Notes on the Antonine Wall," by William Jolly, F.G.S. 1891. Jan 15 (1) "The Semples of Cathcart," by A. M. Scott, F.S. A.Scot. (2) "Peel': Its meaning and derivation," by George Neilson, Esq. Feb. 19.-"Burghead: Its History and Antiquities" (third and concluding paper), by James Macdonald, LL.D. Mar. 19.-(1) "Notes on Recent Explorations on the Line of the Antonine Wall," by William Jolly, F.G.S. (2) "The Making of the Wall," by George Neilson, Esq. (3) "The Roman Wall," by J. T. T. Brown, Esq. April 16." Bute and the Celtic Church," by the Rev. J. King Hewison, M.A., Minister of Rothesay. In addition to various drawings and illustrations of papers, the following exhibits were laid before the Society. (1) Old dagger, with French inscription, transmitted by Mr. Buchanan of the Star Foundry, Dumbarton, for exhibition by David Murray, LL.D. (2) Highland broadsword, described as an Andrea Ferrara, found in burn at Auchentorlie, transmitted by Mr. Fergusson Buchanan of Auchentorlie, for exhibition by David Murray, LL.D. (3) Minute book of the Paisley Literary Institution, 1812-1818, with numerous entries by the poet Motherwell, who was its Secretary, exhibited by A. M. Scott, F.S.A.Scot. (4) Squeeze and two rubbings of an inscription in Glasgow Cathedral Chapter House, by the Most Rev. Archbishop Eyre, D.D. (5) Vessel recently found in the Clyde and described as a font, by Professor Young, M.D. (6) Poker and Roll of Members (with their Club or nick-names) of the Glasgow Cape Club, by Professor Young, M.D. The Index to the first volume of the new series of the Society's Transactions, and the first part of the second volume have been issued to members. The new part contains the following papers : Bibliographical Notes of Histories of Inventions and Books of Secrets. Part VI. Conclusion. By John Ferguson, LL.D., F.S.A., Professor Note as to John Johnstone of Clathrie, Provost of Glasgow, 1685-86. By The Episcopal Seals of the Ancient Diocese of Glasgow. By the Most Burghead as the site of an early Christian Church: with notices of the Account of the Annual Excursion of the Society for 1890. The Council have to express their gratitude to Archbishop Eyre for generously defraying the cost of the four plates of seals which accompany his paper, and to Dr. Macdonald for presenting the map of Moray which appears as one of the illustrations of his notes on Burghead. It is expected that during the course of the session, the second part will be published. The Annual Excursion of the Society was this year made on 8th Sept., the day's programme including Kinross House and Lochleven, Tullibole and Aldie Castles. On arriving at Kinross and after inspecting Kinross House, an interesting building dating from the latter portion of the 17th century, which was described by Mr. Burns Begg, F.S.A.Scot., the members were conveyed in boats to Lochleven Castle, where Mr. Burns Begg read an interesting and valuable paper on the history of the edifice, dealing specially with the period of Queen Mary's imprisonment within its walls. After lunching in Harris's Hotel, Kinross, the party drove to Tullibole Castle, the residence of Mr. J. Balfour Paul, Lyon King of Arms. The castle, which is a picturesque specimen of the castellated architecture of Scotland in the early part of the 17th century, was described by Mr. Balfour Paul. The members then proceeded to Aldie Castle, where Mr. J. Dalrymple Duncan read a paper on the history of the building. In the evening the Society dined in Rumbling Bridge Hotel, under the presidency of Mr. Honeyman. The most important work of the Society during the past year has undoubtedly been the scientific examination and exploration of the Antonine Wall, the Society's attention being in the first instance directed to the unsolved problems which it presented by Mr. William Jolly, F.G.S. Under his guidance the members of the Society have made repeated excursions to the wall, where, by the courtesy of the proprietors, Mr. Whitelaw of Gartshore, the Carron Co., and the Rev. Dr. Russell of Bonnymuir, extensive sections and other excavations were made under the superintendence of Mr. Alex. Park, Croy, and Mr. James Russell, Longcroft, to both of whom the Society are greatly indebted. The Society, recognizing the importance of obtaining a thorough and exhaustive investigation, on 19th March, 1891. appointed a Committee to deal with the matter, and its report is expected to be presented shortly to the Society. Meantime, an interim account of the work already accomplished will be submitted at the December meeting. The completed report and relative papers will be |