Ancient_and_modern_York_a_guide

130 ANCIENT AND
inconsiderable catalogue. There are several stone coffins
with inscriptions ; Roman altars, dedicated to the gods ;
fragments of tesselated pavements, coins, lamps, tiles
stamped with the name of the legion by whom they were
made ; jars, vases, and an infinite variety of Roman pottery.
During the excavations, on the site of the present railway
station, some Roman baths were discovered ofwhich draw
ings and plans were taken before their destruction. One of
the baths was 35ft. long, and 15ft. wide; near which was a
furnace built of brick; with pillars outside, curiously
composed of round bricks. The bricks of the fire-place
were carefully removed, and are now to be seen in the
Hospitium, a building within the grounds of the Philoso
phical society, placed exactly as they were when discovered.
There are several miscellaneous objects deserving exa
mination,—an Egyptian mummy, Indian canoes, Indian
war-like weapons, coats of mail, and other antique armour,
and many articles illustrative of English manners and
customs ; beside many rare and valuable medals and
coins. To the Museum is attached an excellent labor
atory; and an observatory, for the encouragement of
chemical and astronomical science ; and the library of the
society contains some scarce scientific works. Lectures are
occasionly given in the theatre: papers are read at the
monthly meetings ; and an evening meeting, for the dis
cussion of scientific and literary subjects, is held weekly
during the winter, by a select body, consisting of thirty-two
members. In 1 840, the gardens of the Museum were ex
tended on the manor shore, beyond the ancient Hospitium
of St. Mary's Abbey. That building, which was then
roofed and repaired, is a most interesting monastic relic.
At the same time, the old lodge by the abbey gateway,
leading to Marygate,—formany years used as a public house,
and called " the Brown Cow,"—was restored by Professor
Phillips, and converted into a commodious and extremely
elegant dwelling house, without altering, externally, its
characteristic architecture. The council of the Philoso