Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 8.djvu/143

Rh unequalled facilities. The account of the Wall, to which we allude, prepared by the Rev. John Hodgson, was unfortunately produced without his personal care or final revision; it is replete with interesting details, and evinces a singular degree of patient and acute inquiry.

Following the impulse of a fresh interest in remains of the Roman age recently excited amongst English archaeologists, Mr. Bruce has now supplied a desideratum in antiquarian literature by producing a treatise, in which he has happily combined much of the information gathered by previous writers, with a mass of original and personal observations. The enthusiasm with which he prosecutes his subject, has invested it with a charm to which few readers can be insensible.

The volume commences with an excellent epitome of the History of Roman Occupation in Britain, from the arrival of Cæsar to the eventual abandonment of the island. The evidence of ancient writers, as our readers well know, lies in a narrow compass, but the tale, decies repetita, here assumes a fresh interest by the ability with which the author makes all these statements bear upon the one great feature of Roman policy which is his theme. We must, moreover, advert to the skill with which here, as in other portions of his work, the incontrovertible evidence derived from coins has been introduced, and the importance of numismatic science is most strikingly evinced in a period of which the written annals are so deficient.

A general description of the line of the Wall is then presented to the reader, with all the aid that a distinct map of its course, plans of its more striking details, and sections of the various works, can supply. This great barrier, it must be observed, although commonly designated as the Wall, the gual Sever of the Britons, comprises not only the construction of masonry, strengthened by a ditch on its northern side, but also a turf wall, or vallum, to the south of the Wall proper; and consisting of three ramparts and a fosse. These lines pursue their straightforward course from sea to sea, for the most part in close companionship, swerving from the direct line only to take in the highest elevations, sinking precipitately into the gaps or ravines, to ascend boldly the opposite acclivity. To these striking features of construction is that imposing and picturesque variety to be attributed, which can only be appreciated by actual pilgrimage along this marvellous work. We must refer to the details of Mr. Bruce's minute descriptions for many curious observations upon these particulars, and especially as regards the evidence which may be adduced as to the original proportions of the works, and the engineering skill with which they were achieved. Between the stone wall and the earthen rampart ran a military way; at intervals were formed stations, castles, and towers, affording protection to a considerable population, along the entire line; and their excavated sites have supplied many of the most valuable antiquities of their period existing in Britain. These stations, eighteen in number, according to Horsley, were not at all times mere military posts: traces are not wanting to show that Roman arts and luxury prevailed in these fortresses and their extensive suburbs, a striking contrast to the ignorance and barbarity around them. The list given in the Notitia, showing the distribution of various cohorts of auxiliaries, compared with the local evidence of inscriptions found at the various sites, has enabled antiquaries satisfactorily to ascertain, for the most part, the ancient designations of the stations. Mr. Bruce gives several interesting illustrations of the value of inscribed stones in this respect: he states candidly that a remarkable want of resemblance between the