London Chemical Society. 83 



detailed, and the secret relative to the place of his interment, 

 and the existence (as supposed) of the present M.S. being 

 entrusted to three friars, at the death of one of whom it is 

 to be communicated to another, and in this manner perpe- 

 tuated to the latest posterity, always known only to three 

 friars ! The Roman characters of this M. S. are all in capi- 

 tal letters, without any points or marks, and written in short 

 and long lines irregularly. 



June 12. The President in the chair. — An etching by 

 Mr. Moore, of the florid gothic church of St. Mary Mag- 

 dalen, at Taunton, was exhibited ; likewise a gun of a con- 

 struction in use very early after the invention of gunpowder. 

 The stock, which is heavy, is covered with figures partly 

 gilded and delineated in the same style as the paintings in 

 the illuminated M.'S.S. of the fourteenth century, and also 

 consisting of scripture history pieces. 



Several particulars respecting the death and burial-place 

 (St. John's, Westminster) of sir Walter Raleigh were read, 

 as was a curious account of the embalment, or rather of the 

 preparation of the body of queen Catharine Parr with 

 wax, &c. What will render these facts highly important to 

 many is the following singular circumstance, not generally 

 known ; that the tomb of this queen was opened no; long 

 since, and the body, more especially the face, found as per- 

 fect and as beautiful as the day she died ! The action of the 

 atmosphere, however, produced a sensible and instantaneous 

 effect. 



June 19. Mr. Orde in the chair.— The Rev. Mr. Stone 

 communicated several decrees or regulations of Henry VIII. 

 and others, which were exhibited, written on parchment in 

 French, and in a black letter character. Their antiquity, 

 and not their contents, constituted their merit. 



LONDON CHEMICAL SOCIETY. 



It has been observed, that those who cultivate any parti- 

 cular branch of experimental science are solicitous of asso- 

 ciating with others engaged in similar studies ; a common 

 interest in the same subject of conversation excites a spirit 

 of inquiry; thought gives rise to thought; and new ideas, 

 F ;j collected 



