Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 6.djvu/481

 CI)e Slrr&aeologfcal SountaL DECEMBER, 1849. COLLECTIONS ILLUSTRATIVE OF ROMAN OCCUPATION IN BRITAIN. No. 1. CORINIUM. OBSERVATIONS OX REMAINS LATELY DISCOVERED AT CIRENCESTER. At no period of our history has the progress of modern civiUsation contributed so extensively to more certain know- ledge of the habits and manners of the earlier occupants of the British islands, as during the last twenty-five years of the present century. Within that space of time, the liberal, nay, prodigal patronage, bestowed by the speculations of wealthy capitalists on any scheme which appeared to pro- mise a reahsation of profits, has been the means of bringing to its present state of perfection that system of internal communication which now pervades almost every corner of Great Britain. It is by many of the gigantic works requisite for the schemes thus fostered, that the science of Archaeology has been much promoted ; the excavations and " diggings " necessary for the formation of level roads through all descrip- tions of country, have brought to light the sites and remains of ancient buildings, neglected and forgotten for centuries ; railway cuttings have produced a most fruitful harvest of antiquities ; canals and waterworks have also done much, and lastly, the formation of sewers and other operations carried on under the direction of the " Health of Towns Com- mission," have made further disclosures. It is to the minor works of this last-mentioned l)ody that we owe the discovery of many beautiful remains, the subject of this memoir, and which the liberality of Earl Bathurst has enabled some gen- tlemen of Cirencester to rescue from destruction, and raise from beneath the streets for preservation in a museum about to be erected by his Lordship for the advantage of the pubhc. So man}'- discoveries have been made in various parts of the kingdom, bringing to light the vestiges of the early VOL. VI. X X