Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 7.djvu/139

Rh NOTICES OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL PUBLICATIONS. UT veuieut, far more so thau eitlier of the systems of nomenclature generally followed, as those who use either of them will find if they try to translate his work into their language. Whether or no the windows give so much to the aesthetic, and demand so much of the constructive character of a building, as to justify a nomenclature derived from them, is another question. DESCRIPTION OP A ROMAN BUILDING AND OTHER REMAINS LATELY DISCOVERED AT CAERLEON. By John Edward Lf.e, Esq. London: J.R.Smith. 1850. Royal 8vo, Eighteen Plates. Some years have elapsed since the appearance of an interesting contri- bution to Archaeological literature, — the Monograph on the Vestiges of Roman occupation at ISCA SILUEUM, for which we are indebted to Mr. Lee.' The various remains brought to light in that locality by the energetic researches of this gentleman and his brother antiquaries of Mon- mouthshire, are of considerable interest. They comprise many valuable additions to our knowledge of arts and manners during the period of Roman dominion, evidences of its extended influence, — the striking dif- fusion of those Arts throughout the extreme corners of the Orbis Romamis, and the introduction of refinements in social life or public institutions. While history is silent in regard to the details of a period, so momentous in the early annals of our country, there is an eloquence in the sculptured fragment or the crumbling walls, the ornaments or appliances of every-day life, in times long past, to which few are now insensible. Investigations of the numerous remains of Roman times in Great Britain have been recently pursued with renewed diligence : rarely have the results been recorded with more intelligent care than by the author of the work under consideration. Encouraged in the prosecution of his inquiry by the liberality of the proprietor of these remarkable remains, Mr. Jenkins of Caerleon (to whose kindness the Institute has repeatedly been indebted), an excavation of great extent has been acliieved, which has developed the plan of one of the most important examples of domestic architecture of Roman times hitherto found in the principality. Its arrangement and details are perfectly shown in the plans and interesting birds-eye views, etchings, which we owe, as we believe, to the author him- self. It is very fortunate when subjects of this nature fall into the hands of one who can so efficiently combine the ability to record with the skill to pourtray. Amongst the ancient relics discovered during the progress of these researches, several specimens of more than ordinary interest claim our attention. We may notice especially the valuable accession to the series of Anglo-Roman inscriptions contributed in Mr. Lee's works, amounting to not less than twenty-five, some indeed in a very fragmentary condition, others accompanied by sculpture, and of considerable historical interest. Hhe Jictilia which have been found, present the usual variety of fabrication, with some curious unpublished potters' marks ; some antefixit are repre- ' Delineations of Roman Antiquities found at Caerleon. London, 184.5. 4to. 27 ]dates. VOL. vn. o