Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 8.djvu/158

116 116 NOTICES OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL PUBLICATIONS. the pen of the distinguished architect of the New Royal Exchange, Mr. Tite. It is calculated to stimulate his fellow citizens to appreciate more justly the interest of these ancient remains, and to take a more active care for their preservation. What an attractive Museum, illustrative of ancient arts and manufactures, might that now established at the Guildhall be rendered, even were its contents hmited to such discoveries as occur within the precincts of the ancient Londinium, if the liberahty of private collectors were found ready to second the endeavours of the civic authorities, to encourage and give furtherance to this public object. The collection, at present existing, comprises almost exclusively remains of the Roman period, and to this the introductory remarks of Mr. Tite are accordingly devoted. He commences his sketch of Londinium, from the notice of it by Tacitus, as the peaceful resort of merchants, and noted as a mart of commerce, but not dignified with the name of a colony. The city appears long to have retained this character, and hence it would consist rather, as Mr. Tite remarks, of extensive warehouses than of palaces or temples ; and the improvement of the port, the formation of which has been traditionally attributed to Belinus, would be the care of the inhabitants rather than the erection of stately streets. Some antiquaries indeed, have traced indications of the importance of the port in the course of the principal highway, leading in a direct line from Belingsgate. No vestiges of such stately architectural remains, as those brought to light in other localities occupied by the Romans, are found in London : this may probably be attributed to the disastrous results of two great catastrophes, the con- flagration in the twelfth century, and the great fire of 1666 ; and it is remarkable, that although most careful observations were made, during the works under the direction of Sir Christopher Wren, as recorded in a very interesting section of the " Parentalia," no evidence of any important Roman edifice could be adduced. The author proceeds to state the discoveries made at various times, indicating the care and skill anciently employed upon the haven, and in the construction of quays ; — the importance of the ancient navigable rivers, the Fleet, and the Wall-brook, of which scarcely a trace now exists, besides the names ; — the ancient soil and ground of London, as developed in the course of excavations, especially on the northern side, and curiously illustrating the nature of the original site. From these results of practical observation, during the progress of various public works, Mr. Tite turns to the consideration of the first collections of London antiquities, and the ample evidence supplied by the numerous specimens of Roman arts and manufactures, during the last two centuries, as proving that almost all the conveniences and elegancies of Rome had been introduced. " These relics," he well remarks, " must always possess a considerable intrinsic value as illustrations of society and manners, and also a peculiar local interest as indicating the condition of the place and people where they were found." The Tradescants appear entitled to be regarded as the earliest collectors of natural and artificial curiosities in England. After the great fire, and the discovery probably of numerous remains during the rebuilding of the city, the importance of procuring such rehcs seems to have begun to be rightly perceived ; and one of the most zealous collectors was Mr. Coniers, an apothecary, whose assemblage of Roman vessels and articles of every kind passed into the Museum of Dr. Woodward.' Dr. Harwood, Bagford and ' A brief account of Conier's collection is given in Stow's Survey of London, edit. 1 720, vol. ii. p. 22.