57 



No. 1. This is evidently a key, and its simplicity of 

 structure is astonishing. A piece of sheet brass, about the 

 thickness of good writing -paper, is made into a cylindrical 

 shape at its middle, and clipped to lie flat at the extremi- 

 ties. A hole is rudely punched at the upper end to form 

 the ring, by which it is attached to a bunch, and at the 

 part answering to the wards, there seems to have been a rude 

 attempt at riveting the two portions together. 



No. 2 is a fish-hook, more rude in its form than any 

 that we should suppose a nation capable of producing, to 

 whom the use of the metals was known. It is evidently 

 formed, like the key, from a thin sheet of metal, rolled or 

 pressed together, and the seam, or junction, is readily 

 observable on its side. 



No. 3 is probably the brass ornament for a key-hole, 

 though evidently not one suitable for the key which accom- 

 panies it. 



Nos. 4, 5, and 6 are allfibuhe of various kinds. No. 4 

 is the most perfect, and, on the whole, the most curious. 

 The workmanship upon it is remarkably good, and the 

 design elegant. Fibulae somewhat similar in use, but very 

 different in construction, are well known in Ireland. They 

 are generally four or five inches in diameter, of a crescent 

 shape, with cupped points The use of them was to fasten 

 the cloak, mantle, or other outward garment, nearly in the 

 same way that the double button of modern times unites the 

 two sides of a gentleman's coat. In two of them, the 

 fastening has been retained in its place by means of pins ; 

 in the third, by a floral termination, similar to the cupped 

 points of the Irish gold fibula?. In No. 4, the pin tapers 

 gradually to a point ; but in another pin in my possession, 

 which evidently belonged to a totally different fibula, the 

 upper part is ornamented by twisting, and the point is made 

 thicker than any other part, to resist wearing, froin its con- 

 tact with the corresponding socket. The ornaments on the 

 back of No. 4 are similar to those which we frequently find 

 on antique vases. No. 5 is peculiar, from its shape, which 

 greatly resembles that of a bow. The hole at the extremity 

 of No. 5, is obviously to admit a ribbon, or string, to fasten 

 it to the person, and prevent it from being lost. On 

 suggesting that a similar precaution ought to be adopted in 

 reference to a lady's brooch, I was shown one in which the 

 simplicity of the ancient times had been rudely imitated. 



No. 7, 8, 0, and 10, appear to have been amulets of 

 various sizes. Two of them are of stone, one of lead, 

 j 



