An Ancient Sculptured Pillar Stone. According to tradition, the interesting relic of remote antiquity-of which the accompanying sketch is a perfect delineation-marked the grave of an early Irish saint. It is of hard granite, in length three feet five inches, in breadth one foot ten, and in thickness five inches. The stone bears two sculptured crosses, symbolical of the Christian faith, one on the front and the other on the back; each cross is enclosed within a circle, the emblem of eternity. The crosses and circles are greatly worn by the action of the elements during more than twelve centuries. It stood in "Owen's-lane" (which leads from Corn Market, through St. Audeon's arch, to Cook-street), near the door of entrance to the ancient church of St. Audeon, or Owen. From time immemorial it was called the "Blessed Stone," and was held in very great respect and veneration by the Catholics of Dublin-a respect so great, that for ages past, and up to the time of its removal, all persons, when passing by, laid their hands on it, and invoked a blessing, through the intercession of the saint, to perpetuate whose memory the stone was erected. In the year 1826, when the church near which it stood was undergoing repair, this ancient monument was taken up, and, being regarded with a slight respect by some workmen, it was carefully removed and buried in a yard in Cook-street, where it remained for some years. It is now in the possession of the Very Rev. Dr. Spratt, of Aungier-street, who, as an antiquarian, looks on it, not only as an object worthy of respect for its very great antiquity, but also, as a memorial of the piety of a people whom ignorance and prejudice have sneered at as barbarous. The following letter conveys DR. PETRIE'S opinion as to the use and age of the monument, &c. "MY DEAR DR. SPRATT, " 67, Rathmines Road, 21st October, 1853. In obedience to your request that I should give you my opinion respecting the probable antiquity of the interesting ancient stone on which a cross within a circle is sculptured, and which till it came into your conservating custody, was to be seen near the ancient Parish Church of St. Audeon, I have no hesitation in expressing my opinion that it belongs to a class of monuments-most probably sepulchral--which are now rarely to be met with in Ireland, and which appears to me to be of a very early Christian age; and I have no doubt that this stone is much more ancient than any portion of the very old church now remaining, with which it was formerly connected. "Believe me, my dear Sir, "Most faithfully yours, "GEORGE PETRIE." SUBSCRIBERS' NAMES. The names have been inserted in the order in which they were received. B. BLAKE, Most Rev. Michael, D.D. Bishop of Dromore, Ball, Nicholas, Right Hon. Judge, Common Pleas, Dublin. Ball, John, Right Hon., M. P., U. Colonial Secretary, Dublin. Bourke, P., Esq., Merchant, 94, Capel-street, Dublin, Brennan, Peter, Esq., South George's-street, Dublin, Burke, Thomas, Esq., Castlerea, Brennan, Malachi, Rev. Canon, P.P., Ahamlish, Blake, Francis, Esq., J.P., Cregg Castle, Galway, Brennan, Rev. James, Chaplain, Clondalkin, Browne, Rev. Martin. P.P., Mayo, Brennan, Rev. John, P.P., Warrenpoint, Burke, Rev. John, P.P., Mount Bellewbridge, Brennan, Rev. Patrick, P.P., Kildare, Boland, Patrick, Esq., P.L.G., 138, Capel-street, Dublin, Browne, Rev. James. P.P., Ballintubber, Mayo, Brennan, Rev. Mortimer, C.C., Gort, Bell, Rev. Frederick, C.C., Halston-street, Dublin, Burke, Rev. Thomas, P.P., Portumna, Boylan, Very Rev. Daniel, Dean, P.P., Enniskillen, Brennan, Rev. Francis, B., O.S.F., Merchants-quay, Dublin, C. Copies. CULLEN Most Rev. Paul, D.D., His Grace, Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland. Cantwell, Most Rev. John, D.D., Bishop of Meath Cantwell, J. M., Esq., Solicitor, Dominick-street, Dublin Costello, Rev. Thomas, C.C., Belcarra, Ballyglass Cotter, Rev. James, C.C., St. George's Catholic Cathedral, London Connoly, Rev. Martin, P.P., Glannamaddey, Beyounugh 22 1 4 1 4 2 } Cogan, Rev. J., Halston-street, Dublin Crean, Martin, Esq., 40, Lower Ormond-quay Conway, M. E., Esq., General Post Office, Dublin Costello, Very Rev. Bartholomew, V.G., P.P., Crossmolina 1 Curley, Rev. Michael, P.P., Louisburgh 1 Croke, Rev. Thomas, P.P., Charleville Crane, Very Rev. Martin, O.S.A., John's-street, Dublin 1 D. DIXON, Most Rev. Joseph, D.D., His Grace, Archbishop of Armagh, Durcan, Most Rev. Patrick, D.D., Bishop of Achonry. Duffy, Charles Gavan, Esq., M.P., Blackrock, Dublin, Duffy, Very Rev. Archdeacon James, P.P., Clontibret 4 Dowley, V. Rev. Philip C. M., President, St. Vincent's, Castleknock 2 I Dunne, Francis L., Colonel, M.P., D..L, Brittas, Queen's County. Duffy, Very Rev. P., P.P., Dunmore . Duggan, William, Esq., Shaw-street, Dublin Duggan, Rev. Patrick Adm,, Cummar, Tuam Dungan, Rev. Michael, P.P., Blanchardstown Doyle, James, Esq., 6, Lower Abbey-street, Dublin |