Page:Roman Manchester (1900) by Charles Roeder.djvu/186

 Much remains to be done yet for the reconstruction, on modern lines, of Roman Lancashire, and we require excavations at Walton and many other places yet, before filling in the blanks, to form correct notions of Roman life and administration in these parts. The position of Coccium, whether Wigan or Blackrod, has also to be settled yet in a more satisfactory manner, and, above all, every find should minutely be registered and its position defined and described. The recent work at Melandra, Ribchester, and Wilderspool has added a great amount to our knowledge since Thompson Watkin published his great work. He has laid the groundwork, and with better resources and the pecuniary assistance now rendered more freely for practical research in excavating any old important sites by the Society, and let us trust in future also by the county councils, it is to be hoped that in course of time we shall be able to gain a better knowledge and comprehension of the history of Roman times in the Palatinate.

APPENDICES.

ACCOUNT OF THE DISCOVERIES OF THE ROMAN BATHS, FROM THE MANCHESTER MERCURY AND WHITAKER'S MANCHESTER.

As the labourers at the Duke of Bridgewater's were removing some earth in the Castlefield, to make a new coal bank on the margin of the Medlock, they discovered a large wrought stone of about 2 feet square, plainly indicating to be the pediment of a pillar. Before the front, to the east of it, lay:

A floor of about 7 yards long, 4 yards broad, and 6 inches thick, composed of a strong body of lime and bruised bricks (broken tiles and Roman mortar), with a covering of flags. On the side next to the river, and at the farther end from the pedestal, were found fragments