This antique is curious as showing the mode of ploughing, probably
introduced into Britain by the Romans. The oxen are heavily harnessed,
and there is an appearance of bands round the inner horns of each. The
right hand of the figure has probably held a long goad. It was found at
Piercebridge, Durham. The Rosary is gold, having 110 round beads, and
11 large of filigree work, was sold in Edinburgh by a French refugee,
Captain Leger, at the beginning of the century, who claimed to be a
descendant from Melville, Queen Mary’s Secretary, and to have had the
relic with others in his family from that time. As far as internal
evidence goes it belongs to the date attributed to it. It is now in the
possession of George Mennell, Esquire, Newcastle.