Society of Antiquaries. 181 



the fixed stars. The observations contained in this paper 

 are in continuation of a former communication from the 

 author on the direct motion of the sun, and illustrate, with 

 his usual ingenuity, the causes of the sidereal motions ap- 

 plied to stars of six difterent magnitudes. 



March 20. The President in the chair. — A paper by 

 J. Mendoza JRios, esq. was read, explaining tlie properties 

 and use of an instrument for dividing circles. 



SOCIETY OF ANTiaUARIKS. 



Feb. 27. The right honourable the earl of Leicester, pre- 

 sident, in the chair. — ^The indefatigable Mr. Lysons furnished 

 some very curious extract?, from the Tower Records of Ed- 

 ward I., in which it appeared that Edward was extremely 

 attached to different kinds of sports and pastimes, and par- 

 ticularly to a game wjth cards which he brought from Pa- 

 lestine after his croisade, where painted figures on paper had 

 been in use long before the reputed discovery of cards by a 

 Frenchman in the 14th century. This fact is worthy, of 

 attention, as it would lead to the discovery of the real origin 

 of several other things which have been introduced by the 

 same means into Europe, and which have jaltsriy passed, 

 but erroneouslv, for French discoveries. ■ It will be re- 

 membered, that Edward, returning from ih.e croisade, came 

 through France, where he was treacherously ditained a^ a 

 hostage, and during which time he contributed very mate- 

 rially to disseminate the arts and civilize his then faithful 

 subjects of Guyenne. . It is also known that the Moors used 

 something nearly similar to cards for amusement at Cordova 

 and Granada, and it is most probable that they were of Carr 

 thaginian or Phoenician origin. Like almost all the utensils 

 of civil life, irames with card.-, have doubtless originated in 

 commercial and mercantile countries. 



J. P. Malcolm, esq. exhibited to the society the core of a 

 horn that was found in St. Paul's Church-yard, nearly nine 

 feet below the surface of the ground. This bone was sup^ 

 posed to have belonged to some of the animals sacrificed ift 

 the days of heathen superstition, as it is alleged that the site 

 of St. Paul's was antiently a place where tl*e Romans ofiered 

 M 3 up 



