Transactions. 133 
us the style and quality of a very peculiar phase of early 
Christian art. In its associated inscriptions in the Latin 
language and character, it preserves to us the key which gives 
the explanations of other sculptured groups that have no asso- 
ciated inscriptions. In them also it preserves to us the very 
words of the texts of Scripture, of the passages from the Apocry- 
phal gospels, and the legendary lives of the saints that were thus 
chosen for sculptured representation. Above all, in its Runic 
inscription it has preserved a fragment of one of the earliest 
known specimens of old English literature—a poem undoubtedly 
of very unusual merit. No literary monument graven on stone 
of such a character, or of greater importance in the history of 
literature, exists anywhere else. It is a monument of culture in 
the highest sense of the term. It is a monument unique of its 
kind, bearing witness to the existence of an artistic culture, 
which for its age was high, and of a literary culture which but 
few of the succeeding ages have greatly surpassed. It is, there- 
fore, a monument of which the nation of whose history it forms a 
conspicuous part might well be proud.” 
8th January, 1886. 
Mr J. G. H. Srarke, Vice-President, in the Chair. Thirty-four 
members present. 
New Members.—Dr Aitken, Inverness, and Miss Barbour, 
Belmont, Dumfries. 
Dr Gilchrist’s Death.—The Chairman intimated that since the 
Society had last met, their esteemed President, Dr Gilchrist, had 
been removed by death, and for this reason the special meeting 
was not held on the 18th December. He called upon Dr Grierson 
_ to move a resolution. Dr Grierson—as one who had known the 
late President for many years—in feeling terms moved “That this 
Society record in its minutes the great loss which it has sustained 
_ on the removal by death of Dr Gilchrist, and that it tenders 
to Mrs Gilchrist its deepest sympathy in her sore bereavement.” 
This was seconded by the Chairman, who testified to the kindly 
_ Mmanner and unvarying courtesy with which their late President 
was ever ready to assist the members, and to further the objects 
of the Society. 
The Society's New Rooms.—The Secretary submitted a report 
