Page:Archaeologia Volume 13.djvu/384

310 ashes of the great Alfred, after having been scattered about by the rude hands of convicts, are now probably covered by a building erected for their confinement and punishment. And when you are told that this occurred so late as the year 1788, and that no one in the neighbourhood, led either by curiosity or veneration for his remains, attempted to discover or rescue them from this ignoble fate, your surprise will not, I think, be less than my own.

To the account I send you (in the hope, that some one more conversant in antiquity, may make this a subject of further inquiry or illustration) I have added a rough drawing, (Pl. XXIII) to which I shall make references, but must forewarn you not to expect great accuracy, as the plan and measurements are taken solely by stepping the ground in different directions, and without instruments or chain.

The foundations of Hyde Abbey church, for I am informed that little else remained of the structure, were situated in the inclosure A, which is raised two feet above the level of the valley. In the year 1787-8, this small field was purchased by the county, and in it they erected the New Gaol or Bridewell.

Mr. Page, the keeper of the Bridewell, who is a very intelligent, and apparently accurate man, and of much respectability in his line of life, was the overseer of the prisoners and other workmen there employed, during the whole time of the building of this gaol, the removing the stones and rubbish, and preparing the garden. He very obligingly attended me two mornings; and from his repeated and uniform description, and the points he shewed me, I give you the following measurements and account.

He stated that the inside of the church, which stood on springy ground, was easily distinguished by its being laid with strong beaten clay to the depth of nearly four feet, the whole forming an oblong square, enclosed by the foundations and rubbish.

At