Conversazione. 137 



adjacent excavation in the field, traditionally and with reason 

 believed to have been a cock-pit, the visitors returned to Hunger- 

 ford, where Mr. Barker entertained the whole party at a collation 

 which he generously provided for them. 



CONVERSAZIONE. 



The President took the chair at the Town-Hall, at eight o'clock, 

 and at his request the Rev. John Adams, of Stock Cross, read a 

 short account of the opening of a barrow near Great Shefibrd, and 

 displayed many of the objects found therein. Mr. Cunnington 

 then read a paper written by Dr. Palmer, on the " Peat Deposit of 

 the Kennet Valley ; " which was profusely illustrated by specimens 

 dug out of the peat, and handed round for inspection. At its 

 conclusion, and after some interesting remarks on the paper from 

 Mr. Cunnington, Mr. Adams was again called upon for some 

 observations on the same subject, which that gentleman proceeded 

 to give in a most able address : and which will be found in another 

 part of this Magazine. Mr. TV. L. Barker was then invited to 

 read a paper on " Fish Culture :" and the Vicar of Hungerford to 

 read a paper on " Avington Church," written by the Incumbent, 

 the Rev. John James. 



This brought the proceedings to an end ; when the Rev. A. C. 

 Smith said as this was the last occasion on which they should 

 assemble at that meeting, he thought that they ought not to sepa- 

 rate, without a hearty vote of thanks to their President, whose 

 presence and cordiality had contributed so much to the success of 

 that meeting. Sir John Awdry disclaimed for himself the merit 

 attributed to him, and eulogized the Secretaries for their exertions. 



THIRD DAY. WEDNESDAY, Sept. 18th. 



A small but enthusiastic band of archaeologists again met at the 

 Town Hall, and drove to the little church of Avington, a Norman 

 building of exceeding interest, the details of which they had heard 

 described the previous evening. After a thorough examination of 

 the remarkable font, the arches, mouldings, and incised stones of 

 this unique building, the excursionists were invited by the kind 



VOL. XI. — NO. XXXII. L 



