chaeologists than enquiries into the histories of the earliest inhabitants of Britain. Amongst the sites first selected by the aborigines for settlements, were the eastern and western fruitful heights overlooking the fertile vale watered by the river Ebbsfleet. On these elevated spots, towns were formed by two distinct tribes, who, thenceforward, actively participated in the different revolutions, which have occurred in the island; since, in times long antecedent to our era, its shores were first trodden by human. foot. But unfortunately, of these struggles not even a traditionary legend remains.

B

These obscure periods, which some British historians have briefly dismissed, "as utterly unworthy notice;" recent investigations and laborious researches have proved to be replete with important and curious memorials. Supposing even that these vestiges do not furnish sufficient data, wherefrom to compile detailed and lucid annals—yet it must be admitted, that they are nevertheless, of satisfactory significance to claim the careful consideration of those who have a due sympathy for their fellow creatures.

Comparatively a short period after the advent of our blessed Saviour, there was a Roman town in the valley, of considerable magnitude-far advanced in all the elegancies and refinements of social life. A fact, amply attested by the sculptures, ornamented pottery, vases, Samian ware,' querns, jewellery, domestic utensils, sacrificial debris, sepulchral deposits, &c., which have been exposed, since cultivation has again converted the site to the use of man. These relics combine to

2

'The earliest settlers used stone mullers and grinding troughs of a similar material for pounding their grain. For an engraving of some of the querns found at Springhead, vide fig. 16, plate iii,kindly etched by Horace Burkett, esq.

2 The superior kind of pottery, of a bright red colour, usually termed "Samian," has been supposed, with reason, to be of that kind so named by the younger Pliny, who mentions its being made at various continental towns, and exported to all parts of the empire; and its identity seems confirmed, says Charles Roach Smith, esq., from being met with in abundance in all places occupied by the Romans. This pottery is not less remarkable for its fine texture and rich coraline hue, than for the great diversity of its ornaments. Fabroni, in his history of the antient Aretine vases, has lately sought to prove, that this was the kind of ware fabricated at