show, that on this spot, was concentrated a mighty population, enjoying all the luxuries, gratifications and pleasures, wealth and influence could procure. And since, to the ruined edifices of the Romans we are greatly indebted for the proportions and decorations of our present architecture, it is important, that these monuments and vestiges, which happy accidents have presented to our notice, should be explored and preserved.

"Well may the sad beholder ween from thence,
What works of wonder all devouring time
Has swallowed there, when monuments so brave
Bear record of their old magnificence.'

Aretium, and of which, mention is made by Virgil, Persius and Martial. Isidore of Seville, who wrote in the seventeenth century, speaks of the red ware as being the manufacture of Aretium, and cites Sedulius, a poet who flourished before the christian era, in confirmation of the statement. Vases of this description have been repeatedly found near Arezzo; and Francesco Rossi, who formed a collection of this kind of ware, and made careful researches respecting the manufacture, discovered in the neighbourhood of that town, the furnaces and implements of the potter's art. Numerous potter's marks are to be noticed upon the specimens found there; these marks differ in certain peculiarities from those which occur in specimens found in Englaud, the style of these Aretine vases seems to be more delicate, and is probably the original which subsequently served as a model for the fictile manufacturers of the provinces. Mr. Artis discovered at Caistor, in Northamptonshire, a smother kiln and all the apparatus for potters' mysteries. The reader is referred for an account of Mr. Artis's labours, to his Durobrivæ of Antoninus, and the Journal of the British Archaeological Association. For specimens of some of the Samian ware discovered at Springhead, vide figs. 7, 8, 10, 12, and 14, plate iii; and fig. 2. plate v.

So completely was the destruction of the Roman town accomplished, that, until, towards the close of the last century, a vague tradition alone existed among the peasantry, that, "in this valley, once stood a large and fair city." The same medium, filled it with "public houses and churches," adding, moreover, "that the stream of the Ebbs was navigable for large ships, even to the church of Southfleet." Modern discoveries have proved, that in some respects, tradition did not err; since, of late years, the plough and the spade have exposed multitudes of coins in admirable preservation, once in common circulation, together with massive foundations of mansions, baths, public buildings, and antient temples

"Erst resonant with instrument and song,
And solemn dance of festive multitude."

Different, indeed, was the landscape that lay around, from the aspect which that part of the country now presents. In the valley to the north-east, a full view of which, the Watling-street commanded, (where now, the water-cress plantations and the far-famed

3 In Mr. Kempe's account of the discoveries at Holwood hill, he says, "in that neighbourhood there was a tradition of there being a large town called Beaverstone or Plaxton, which vulgar report in talking much of the extent of its buildings frequently combining the grossest anachronisms, &c., says that it contained some sixteen public houses, not being willing to have the antient town unfurnished with a matter of such indispensable comfort to the commonality of modern days." Archeologia, xxii.

To the marshy soil may be attributed the fine condition in which the majority of the relics of the Roman period have been preserved.

Springhead strawberry beds are to be found,) then lay a densely-populated city-for which, the local situation was admirably adapted; Nature having blessed it with fertility of soil and salubrity of climate. To an exterior vallum constructed for the purpose of protecting the outer fosse of that celebrated via militaris, flowed up the Ebbs-on the western bank of which, was the noble navalium, fully described in subsequent pages-whilst the Roman fleet rode securely at anchor in the creek's sheltered harbour. Instead of the wide expanse of water which eighteen hundred years ago occupied the estuary-now, changed by the silent operations of natural and indirect artificial causes can only be beheld a dwindled streamlet, solely preserved for the cultivation of esculent vegetables,

"To what base uses may we come at last."

During the lapse of years between the departure of the Romans and the Norman conquest, the ferocious Saxons wantonly destroyed the artificial barriers which had retained the tides in submission to the rule of man-then, the channel silted up-and by slow but certain processes, the desolate salt marshes became fine and fertile soil, easily yielding to the industrious agriculturist bounteous harvests.

With the ambitious design of preserving from oblivion the almost obliterated memorials of extinct nations, these pages have been penned ;-and, after, a careful scrutiny of contiguous chronology and of the circumstantial evidence in existence, an attempt has been made to furnish an Account of the Towns and the Occupants of the Valley and its Neighbourhood in the olden time.

The execution of the endeavour will be judged by the reader. The facts adduced, will, however, demonstrate, that more than twice during the primeval period, did Britain attain comparatively, a high state of civilization; from which, she was suddenly hurled into more than midnight darkness by bloody invasions.

The desire of examining the transactions and proceedings of periods of time wrapped in an almost impenetrable veil of obscurity, is one of the phases of the developement of the human mind, which has alike characterised the eras of civilization and of barbarism; and not merely an acquired taste confined to some particular age or country.

A calm and patient investigation in the rude legends and traditions of a predial peasantry, and a philosophical examination of the fables of the "dark ages," combined with a comparison of the pages of the inspired and classic authors, assisted by analogical hypotheses, will enable the plodding antiquary to winnow from the heap of absurdities, pure grains of historic information; and when record and tradition equally fail, he is often enabled by enquiries into the affinities and peculiarities of manners and languages, to enlighten the dark allusions, and unravel the mysterious difficulties of antient authorities.

And after perusing the following memoranda relating to four races of men, who, great in their generation,

5 "The history of the monarchs of this primeval period, as given by Geoffrey of Monmouth, is absolutely unworthy of credit, and ought to be banished to the region of fiction and romance." Mc'Pherson, Crit. Diss.

and noble in their attributes, reared monuments in their respective eras only to be rased'; the impression on the reader's mind can scarcely fail to be indelible,that, here below

"All is Vanity."

Dust thou art, and unto Dust shalt thou return.

6 The Aborigines. The Belgæ. The Romans. The RomanoBritish.

7 Bishop Jewell says, "cities fall, kingdoms come to nothing,empires fade away as the smoke! Where is Numa, Minos, Lycurgus? Where are their books? What is become of their laws?"