42 o [Proc. B.N.F.C., 



services except those honourable scars obtained by their own 

 bravery on the field of battle." Mr. Browne, in bringing his paper 

 to a close with some remarks upon our naval medals, said that the 

 medal for general naval services, 17 93- 1840, bears on the obverse 

 the diademmed head of the Queen — Victoria Regina, 1848 ; 

 reverse, Britannia seated upon a sea-horse, a trident in her right 

 hand, an olive branch in her left ; ribbon white, with blue edges. 

 This medal was instituted by command of her Majesty by the 

 Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, by an order dated 1st 

 June, 1847, and conferred upon every surviving officer, seaman, and 

 marine who had taken part in any of the naval actions (for which 

 clasps were awarded) between the years 1793 and 18 15. By an 

 after-order dated 7th June, 1848, clasps were granted for Marti- 

 nique, Guadaloupe, Java, St. Sebastian, Algiers, Navarino, and 

 Syria. There are over two hundred clasps for different actions 

 given with this medal. The clasps vary in number from one to 

 six, which is the largest number on one medal. And, in conclusion, 

 he would say that if any of his friends wished to make themselves 

 up on this subject, he would, among other works, refer them to 

 Carter's book on " British War Medals, and how they were won ;" 

 " The History of the Order of Knighthood," by Sir Nicholas Harris 

 Nicholas ; " Handbook of British War Medals," by J. Harris 

 Gibson j " The Medallick History of England;" Simon's " Medals 

 and Coins ;" Sainthill's " Olla Podridar 



On 6th January — the President (Mr. Wm. Gray, M.R.I. A., in 

 the chair) — a paper was read by Mr. M. Harbison, Newtownards ; 

 subject — "Notes on a Tour through Switzerland, with special 

 reference to the origin of the Swiss valleys." 



The reader commenced by giving a brief but graphic sketch of 

 a tour through Switzerland, commencing at Neufchatel, and pro- 

 ceeding through Berne to Lake Thur ; thence to Interlaken and 



