A highly interesting lecture devoted to architectural research was delivered by Mr. J. ATWOOD SLATER, first silver medallist and premium holder in design in the Royal Academy of Arts, London, and Sharpe Prizeman of the Royal Institute of British Architects, London, describing an architectural tour undertaken in 1880, and detailing picturesquely the architecture and incidents of personal concern dependent on travel met with in the departments of Seine Inferieure, Seine and Oise, and Seine, penetrating into the heart of France as far as Auxerre.  The course of the Seine, with its diverse monuments, was topographically followed from Harfleur to Paris, and subsequently in its considerable ramification the stately River Yonne, Melun, Fountainebleau, Sens, and finally the rich town of Auxerre coming under consideration.  The lecturer also drew special attention to the advantage derived from travelling alone for the purpose of observing better the archaeological wealth, and the customs of the French, having a distinct and definite line of study and object lesson ever in view; to his wide sympathy with the French people, to their sumptuous care for their ancient monuments, their courtesy and reverential manner of hospitality towards English speaking students; and also in particular to the unsuspicious, deferential manner in which they are entertained and regarded by the Ministerial authorities:  detailing in precise biographical manner his experience with bourgeoisie and peasant, ecclesiastic and soldier.  He recorded also minutely the incidents and popular events associated with travel, as study and the tide of time goaded him onward, the wave of diurnal events lying upon the open page of history, here dishevelled, here streaked with adverse episode, and here becalmed.  The hour being late, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the lecturer, and the hearing of the conclusion of a most interesting tour was adjourned to another meeting.

AQUATICS.

From the CORNISHMAN, August 2nd, 1902.

SWIM AROUND ST. MICHAEL’S MOUNT.

On Wednesday, a visitor to Marazion, Mr. J. ATWOOD.SLATER, from Bristol, in a sea for tranquility suited for the saline venture, swam completely round St. Michael’s Mount, Cornwall.  Accompanied by a local boatman the swimmer rowed out from the mainland, quitting his boat, and entering ten fathoms in depth of water at two o’clock.  A mean distance of a hundred yards from the coast was, whilst the circuit was made, preserved.  No inconvenience of any sort—­excepting, towards the conclusion,—­the chilliness of the water, was encountered; the distance of one mile and a half being accomplished in the space and record time of three-quarters of an hour.  The swimmer at the finish expressed himself entirely satisfied with the nerve and capacity of his boatman (Ivey) and accorded a tribute to the romantic style in which the Mount and Castle proper are kept.  The view from the watery verge being replete with quaint interest