76 



Rev. Dr. Todd presented, from Lord Granville Somerset, 

 a copy of the Charters of the Duchy of Lancaster. 



Colonel Jones, R. E,, presented a printed description and 

 drawing of an antique tombstone, of the natural size, found at 

 Athlone. 



Mr. J. Huband Smith read an account of the present state 

 of the ancient ecclesiastical remains of lona. 



After alluding to the difficulty of procuring accommodation 

 in this remote island, and the impossibility o'f obtaining more 

 than a mere glance at the details of the group of ecclesiastical 

 buildings, in the way in which they are now usually seen by 

 tourists, Mr. Smith went into a very minute account of the 

 ^Nunnery, with its grave-yard, containing some interesting 

 monuments. He then described two ancient causeways, and the 

 church of St. Oran, which he supposes to be the most ancient 

 edifice on the island, though he declined to express any definite 

 opinion as to its age. Of the doorway of this church Mr. 

 Smith exhibited a very careful drawing, on a large scale, as 

 well as others of some of the most remarkable tombstones in 

 the Releg Oran. He then proceeded to give some account of 

 the grave of St. Columba, adjoining to the great western door 

 of the cathedral, the nave, chancel, and aisles of which, toge- 

 ther with its noble square tower, he described in detail, with 

 measurements which he had carefully taken. 



The numerous drawings made by Mr. Smith, from his 

 own sketches on the spot, contributed not a little to convey 

 a more satisfactory idea of various particulars than any verbal 

 description could have done ; and, with many rubbings taken 

 from tombstones and crosses, enabled him to correct some 

 errors into which Pennant and other writers had fallen, in the 

 deciphering and translation of certain Irish inscriptions yet 

 remaining at lona. Mr. Smith lastly noticed the Cross of 

 Inverary, which is said to have been brought from lona at 

 the time of the Reformation, and produced a very careful 



