Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 6.djvu/491

 ROMAN OCCUPATION IX BIMTAIN. 329 superior, so far as my recollection serves me, to any that have been brought to light in this country. The execution, owing to the nature of the materials, and the mode of workmanship adopted in putting them together, is some- what coarse, and the details and drawing rather rude ; but passing over these mechanical and technical defects, there is a style of design in them which associates them, in my humble opinion, with the happiest examples of the best period of Art. Here is grandeur of form, dignity of character, and great breadth of treatment, which strongly reminds me of the finest Greek schools. I do not mean to say that of Phidias, but of subsequent masters, even of Lysippus. This appears in all the three female heads of Flora, Ceres, and Pomona. The smaller figure of Actceon attacked by his dogs, abounds also in these characteristics of fine Greek example. The proportions are good, the action full of energy, and the composition of the figure is almost a close copy of statues and rilievi to be found in our own collection of Greek sculpture in the British ]Iuseum. "Were I a painter I should venture to enlarge upon another point of compara- tive excellence in these mosaics, and that is, the quahty and breadth and distribution of colour, so far as the masses are concerned. The fine feeling of the picturesque confined within the limits of grand simphcity, is shown in the relief and contrast afforded hj the head-dresses of rich green foliage, corn, flowers, and fruit. As a whole, these interesting specimens satisfy me as an artist, beyond the shadow of doubt, that such works were produced after examples of the vei'y highest reach of Art." A few yards further to the north the workmen came on the side of another pavement, a part of the border only could be uncovered, the desigji being a bold and elegant Grecian scroll, in three colours, black, yellow, and red, about 12 inches wide ; as this extended under buildings it could not be further examined. It is to be observed that the one last mentioned, the two before described, and that discovered in 1793, and still existing in a cellar in D^'er Street, all fall into the same line, parallel with the ancient lloman way, and the relative positions favour the supposition that they all belonged to a private house of the larger class and not to any public establishment. The majority of the Mosaic pavements discovered in England, partake chiefly VOL. VI. Y y