NOTES AND COERESPONDENCE. 



Preservation of Antiquities. 



A VERY important function of our Institution is to keep jealous 

 watch over the Antiquities of the County, and to interpose when 

 the hand of carelessness, ignorance, or greed, is lifted to destroy 

 them. Members of the Institution and others who become aware 

 of threatened spoliation of any of our Cornish Antiquities are- 

 earnestly requested to make early communication of the danger, 

 to either of our Secretaries, uiiless their private influence be suffi- 

 cient to avert it. It is to be feared that the improvements 

 consequent upon the administration of the New Highway Act are 

 leading to the demolition of many of our Wayside Crosses. A 

 small fund should be provided for erecting them as close to their 

 old position as may be consistent with modern requirements. 



We are glad to be able to record the careful preservation of an 

 imperilled monument, by one of the most influential of Cornish 

 landowners. Some short time since, the ancient Inscribed Stone 

 at Welltown, in the parish of Cardinham (figured by Mr. Blight 

 in his Ancient Crosses &c. in the East of Cornwall) was removed from 

 its place to make room for some new farm buildings. Through the 

 mediation of Mr. T. Q. Couch, Mr. Eobartes was made acquainted 

 with its danger ; and at his expense it has been restored as near as 

 possible to its original position, and carefully guarded by iron rails. 



Less fortunate were some Truro members of the Institution, 

 who endeavoured to secure preservation of Antiquities on Beacon 

 Down, at Gwloweth, about two miles west of Truro. Of eight 

 Barrows that had for ages marked that site, four remained, in 

 more or less perfect condition, until August last ; when, with the 

 landowner's cognizance and sanction, they were demolished by the 

 tenant, who Avas about to enclose and cultivate a portion of the 



