Page:Notices by the Rev. T. Surridge ...of Roman inscriptions discovered at High Rochester, Risingham and Rudchester, in Northumberland ... (IA noticesbyrevtsur00surr).pdf/15

 FOUND IN

HIGH ROCHESTER INSCRIPTIONS, &c.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEWCASTLE JOURNAL.

—Having only within a few days heard of the diggings (not for gold, but for knowledge,) now carried on by the munificence of His the Duke of Northumberland, at Rochester, I on Monday rode across the moors to see them. After having experienced a heavy thunder storm, from the effects of which I was soon relieved by the kindness and hospitality of the Rev. Mr. Preston and his amiable consort, I went in company with him to the scene of explorations, which appear to me at present to be carried on in the burial ground of the Roman Garrison. Urns, with their contents (the ashes of burned dead), decomposed human bones and skulls, evince that it was used as a place of interment, both before and subsequent to the introduction of Christianity. Mr. Preston kindly supplied me with a copy of the inscription on the altar, and helped me in decyphering it. On my return home I examined it more carefully, and supposing that the result may be acceptable to your readers, whether I may have been anticipated in this respect or not, I send you my exposition of it, thinking that if others have