An extensive dissertation on each of these classes of Roman antiquities, is incompatible with the scheme of this Introduction; but I present some succinct remarks, calculated to convey general notions respecting the whole; and append a reference to some few pages of the "Beauties," containing a description of interesting specimens.

When we contemplate the great labour bestowed by the Romans on those public ways throughout Britain, which they either entirely constructed, or adopted and improved; and remember the massy character of the walls by which many of their settlements were surrounded; we are induced to suppose that vestiges of Roman grandeur, connected with religious ceremony, with the official solemuities of magisterial decision, or even such as relate merely to domestic architecture, must be frequently discovered in an island which they so long victoriously occupied. But enquiry disappoints this expectation. In fact, scarcely any relics of their great public edifices, commensurate with our ideas of Roman magnificence, now exist, or are satisfactorily noticed in antiquarian record; while the vestiges of their domestic architecture are chiefly confined to indistinct traces of the ground plan, and some few particulars of interual arrangement.

This paucity of tangible vestigia, or defect in circumstances of ocular demonstration, is considered, by many writers on the subject of the Roman occupation of this island, not to imply a probable deficiency in actual grandeur. But others have viewed it as a fair cause of scepticism; and Mr. King, in his Munimenta Antiqua, has ventured on a protest of unequivocal disbelief. This antiquary coutends, that if the Romans had really constructed in Britain many splendid structures of stone and brick, "some other distinguished fragments must have remained, as well as those few that have, from time to time, actually been discovered, at Bath; or preserved at Dover; or at Leicester; or in the walls of the Castra at Richborough, Portchester, and Pevensey; or near the great wall of Severus,'

King's Munimenta Antiqua, Vol. II. p. 162.

The

The same mode of reasoning is adopted by Mr. Essex, who remarks, "that it may be doubted whether all that has been said of those fine structures which in the Roman times adorned Britain be true; there being no remains of temples or porticos, nor of the bases, shafts, or capitals of the columus which once adorned them."

It is scarcely necessary to observe that Mr. King, although always a writer of considerable research, and often of great discrimination, was subject to the guidance of certain favourite notions, which were so firmly impressed on his mind, that he laboured, on sentiment, to humble or to exalt, according as the subject of discussion clashed, or coincided, with his prevalent feeling. The degradation of the pagan Romans was, probably, with such a writer, an achievement gratifying to conscience; and the relish which he had imbibed in his youth for classical elegance, in vain interposed a persuasive towards moderation.

It is, however, probable that the Roman structures in Britain were much inferior to such as may be expected by the enquirer, who forms his ideas of Roman magnificence on a consideration of the buildings which adorned the seat of empire. The Romans inhabited Britain as a foreign colony; and those who expatriated for its colonization were chiefly of the military profession. Assuredly, it was not to such a spot that the distinguished Roman, artist would repair for the exercise of his skill. But the couquerors occupied the southern parts of the island for so long a term, and were so intent on evincing to the Britons a due notion of their superiority in the elegancies of life, that it would be with difficulty we supposed no structures, at once of imposing splendour and probable durability, were raised by them, in districts contentedly subject to their sway.

A reference to writers who flourished in the ages of Roman ascendancy, or in periods not far distant, is obviously desirable. in the adjustment of a contrariety of opinions on this subject. Such

Archaologia, Vol. IV. p. 79.

Such opportunities of appeal are not frequent, but the information derived is of considerable weight.

Tacitus, when noticing the prodigies which were said to have preceded the destruction of Camulodunum, the first Roman colony in Bitain, mentions the fall of the statue of Victory, in the hall of public business; and the dismal cries which were heard in the theatre. The temple of Claudius, in this devoted city, is noticed in a subsequent passage of the "Annals," as a building of great eminence; and it is well known to have been of sufficient dimensions and strength, to induce the garrison to take shelter there from the assault of Boadicia and her numerous army.

The same writer informs us, that Agricola anxious to communicate Roman customs to the Britons, instructed and assisted them in the building of houses, temples, courts, and marketplaces. By praising the diligent, and reproaching the indolent, he excited so great an emulation among the Britons, that, after they had erected all those necessary edifices in their towns, they proceeded to build others merely for ornament and pleasure; as porticos, galleries, baths, banquetting-houses, &c."*

The testimony of Giraldus Cambrensis, although it bears reference to so low a date as the reign of Henry the Second, is entitled to attentive consideration. In a topographical notice of Caerleon, he observes that " this city was handsomely built of brick by the Romans; and many vestiges of its former splendour may yet be

seen.

Linmense palaces, ornamented with gilded roofs, in imitation of Roman magnificence; a tower of prodigious size; remarkable hot-baths, relics of temples; and theatres enclosed within fine walls, parts of which remain standing. You will find on all sides, both within and without the circuit of the walls, subterraneous vaults and aqueducts; and, what I think worthy of notice, stoves, contrived with wouderful art, to transmit the heat insensibly through narrow tubes."+

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Tacit. Vita Agric. c. 21.

+ Translation of Giraldus by Sir R. Colt Hoare, Vol. I. p. 103---4,

Mr.

Mr. King supposes the descriptive terins of Giraldus to be founded on a comparison between the buildings of the Romans and those of the "rude, unpolished, Britons;" and while he allows the superiority of the former, he still considers them not to have risen above a mediocrity of character. The turrim giganteum, or tower of prodigious size, mentioned by Giraldus, he believes to have been not properly of Roman construction, but some great round keep, more likely to have been the work of the Normans.*

On the other hand, Mr. Lysons considers the account handed down by Giraldus to be of considerable importance; and observes that "there is reason to believe very considerable remains of the Roman buildings in Britain existed as late as the reign of Henry the Second, when the greater part of them were destroyed for the purpose of erecting churches, castles, and other edifices, out of their materials; many of them had, doubtless, been before destroyed, for the same purpose, by the Normans."+

Although Mr. King may, possibly, be correct when he supposes the great tower at Caerleon to have been in reality, a Norman keep, we still find, in the memorable description of Giraldus, a notice of fragmentary buildings which, from their stronglymarked character, were unquestionably Roman. Here we trace the positive former existence of splendid vestiges, which have now entirely disappeared.‡

The wear of years, and the destructive assaults of sordid hands, almost

• Munimenta Antiqua, Vol. II. p. 182.

+ Account of Roman Antiquities at Woodchester, by Samuel Lysons, F.R.S. and A.S. p. 19.

A curious instance of the known existence of important Roman buildings, and of the almost total absence of ornamented vestigia, occurs in a Discourse by Mr. Gale, inserted in the Philosophical Transactions, Vol. XXX. The object of this essay is the communication of Intelligence respecting two inscriptions found at Lanchester, in the bishopric of Durham; and it appears, from one of these, that Gordian the Third erected balneum cum basilica. But undistinguished "great heaps of rubbish and ruins,” only, were found in the vicinity of this commemorative inscription.

almost insensible in operation (but, however slow, still more fatal in effect than the conquering battle-axe and firebrand) must, in themselves, have proved sufficient to annihilate the rich fragments of a host of Roman cities, in the course of thirteen centuries. From these causes we find the walls and the roads of the Romans decomposed through the greater part of their tracks. and the materials gone, far beyond the keen eye of antiquarian research. This effect has taken place, even in situations of little traffic; and the superior injuries likely to have been inflicted on more busy spots, will be readily admitted. Independent of a system of destruction so slow in progress, the ruin produced by the severity of the barbarous tribes which conquered the Roman provinces, was often overwhelming and complete.-The savage Totila, after taking Rome, was prepared with engines for the annihilation even of the imperial city itself; and was prevented from carrying such a design into execution, only by the generous remonstrances of Belisarius,

But the natural

For actual intelligence of the Romans having constructed numerous magnificent buildings in Britain, it is certain that we chiefly depend on the assertions of Tacitus. probability of the circumstance is so great, as almost to amount to rational conviction. In regard to the disappearance of nearly all fragments of such edifices, the following remark may, perhaps, be deemed of some weight.-The principal connexion of the Romans with this island, was, through many ages, of a military cast; and we have still several instances remaining of the great strength with which they constructed their fortifications. When we reflect on the large number of their military works, só strong and well-calculated to brave the assaults of time, which have yielded to petty depredation, and are no more; we may readily imagine that the vestiges of buildings for civil purposes, were not likely to survive the shock of so many centuries, but have lost their character under the hands of the mason, or have sunk to entire obliteration in the wear of more sordid uses. Nor are we entirely destitute of proofs, that edifices of considerable

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