been discovered, with a fire-place, and underneath a flue composed of brick tiles, eight by seven inches, and one and a half inches thick, for the purpose of conveying heated air. This was evidently a Laconicum, or sweating-room, adjoining to which was, in all probability, an Apodyterium, or dressingroom. There are several other pavements belonging to various apartments, which are separated from each other by partitions. It is a very singular circumstance, that in one of the flues two snail-shells were found, in a perfect state of preservation.

The discovery of these pavements, in the four quarters of the city, ascertains, beyond a doubt, a fact that has been the subject of much dispute among Antiquaries, namely, that Glevum stood on the present site of Gloucester.

In the year 1827, as the workmen were employed in digging out foundations for some houses that were erected in a field belonging to Mr. Roberts, adjoining the London-road, near this city, a large quantity of human bones, also a brass handle and part of the blade of a Roman surgical instrument, exactly resembling the bistoury of the present day, together with the remains of seven Roman urns, tiles, and various other articles of pottery, were discovered, about four feet below the surface of the earth. One of these urns was so perfect, not falling into pieces as is generally the case when exposed to the air, that it has been preserved, and exhibits a beautiful specimen of the mode of Roman burial, and the exquisite attention to form, in the elegant shape of the urn. Some Roman coins were also found, particularly a copper coin of NERVA, of the largest size, in the finest state of preservation, and most beautifully executed. On the obverse side, the head of the Emperor appears in alto-relievo, with

the

By which we

the following inscription :-" Imp. Nerva, Caes. Aug. P.M. T.R.P. Cos. III. P.P." On the reverse are represented a team of horses, with a carriage in the back ground; inscription, "Vehiculatione Italiae remissa.” learn (what no historian relates) that the Roman Emperors commanded all the carriages of the country, that Nerva remitted this burthen, and that the grievance was so heavy that coins were stamped in remembrance of this Emperor's goodness, who eased them of it.

These curious remains have been preserved, and are now in the possession of H. I. Shrapnell, Esq. of the Spa, near this city.

About three years since, a curious monument was discovered in the adjoining field, on which was carved a representation of an ancient warrior on horseback, with a legionary Roman sword by his side, and a spear in his hand, in the act of striking at a foe, who lay prostrate on the ground, and who was defending himself with a sword of a different kind. On the lower part of the monument was the following inscription :-" Rufus* sita Eques Cho Vi Tracum Ann XI. Slip XXII. Heredes Exs Test E Curave H. S. E."

Some time afterwards, another monument was discovered there, on which was inscribed-" XX. Slivi Satvrnini Sipendiorvm XIII. owm MXXXX.†

* Rufus was a common name among the Romans:

66

Quicquid agit Rufus nihil est nisi novia Rufo."-Martial.

The road adjoining to where these remains of antiquity were found, was the Hermen or Irmin-street of the Romans, called by a Saxon word equivalent to the Latin, "via militaris," which Stukeley says was made in the reign of Nero, and extended from the Southern Ocean, through London, to the utmost bounds of Scotland."

66

Many other remains of antiquity have recently been discovered in this city and its neighbourhood. A few months since, Mr. Wm. Bruorton, in sinking a well behind his house, in the Westgate-street, dug up a great number of bones of different animals, also a quantity of wood ashes, charcoal, pieces of wood partly burnt, and some fine specimens of Roman pottery. These bones, there can be no doubt, were the remains of animals which had been sacrificed by the Romans to their deities. They were found at a distance of twenty-one feet from the surface of the earth, which proves how much the ground of Gloucester must have been raised during a period of seventeen hundred years.

Mr. Hale, of the Southgate-street, in digging out the foundation for a house which he lately built adjoining to the Ram Inn, discovered a beautiful tesselated pavement, of different colours, and in a fine state of preservation.

In digging out for the foundation of a dwelling-house lately erected by Mr. Boughton, of the Westgate-street, in this city, ironmonger, a discovery was made of two beautiful columns, about three feet in diameter, standing ten feet from each other, and parallel with the street. These pillars were of freestone, finely executed, and must, from their size, have been part of a building of great consequence; but, as their capitals were missing, it is impossible to say to what order of architecture they belonged.

In the Bishop of Cloyne's communications to Messrs. Lysons, it is stated, that "the Irmin-street, coming from Cricklade through Preston to Cirencester, proceeds from thence, forming the turnpikeroad to Gloucester, between Brimpsfield and Cowley, through Brockworth and Barnwood."

Mr. Fouracre, of this city, druggist, has lately sunk a well in the cellar of his house, opposite to the Tolsey, where the workmen discovered two very large stones, each of them weighing more than a ton, and standing several feet from each other. They appeared to have been part of a gateway, as the iron hooks which supported the gates were still remaining. It is recorded that the Tolsey was built on the site of the ancient Roman Capitol or Forum, and it is probable that this gateway was the entrance into a prison.

Some interesting vestiges of antiquity have lately been discovered on the estate of William Ellis Viner, Esq. of Badgworth, in this county. Upon making excavations there for the foundation of a dwelling-house, two stone walls of great thickness, running parallel with each other, and extending more than a hundred feet in length, have been found at a considerable depth below the surface of the earth. Mr. Rickman, the celebrated architect, has examined these curious remains of early architecture, and has pronounced them of Danish origin, but, with all due deference to so great an authority, I am inclined to think that they are Saxon. Worth signifying in Saxon a mansion, it may in general be inferred, when this is the termination of a name, that the place was the residence or property of some Saxon chief, of whom nothing farther has been recorded.-The lovers of antiquarian science will be pleased to hear that Mr. Viner intends to prosecute his researches there, when, most likely, further discoveries will be made.

TRAVELLING.

The advantages derivable from the improvements which have taken place of late years in our mode of travelling, may be fairly estimated by a perusal of the following article :—

"Within the memory of the writer of this article, there was only one stage-coach, which set out every Monday morning, and arrived on the Wednesday night following, at the Saracen's Head, Snowhill, London: it was drawn by six horses. The performance of so long a journey, in so short a time, was then considered as a great achievement, and the words "Gloucester Flying Machine," appeared in large letters of gold on the pannels of the coach-door.The advertisements in the Gloucester Journals of those times stated, that the Gloucester Flying Machine would perform its journey, "if God permitted,' "* in the short space of three days.-There are several old wills in the Registrar's Office, which begin thus-" Whereas I am about to take a journey to London, and whereas it is uncertain whether or not I may live to return, I do therefore think it necessary to make my last will and testament," &c. Such, however, is the revolution that has taken place within little more than half a century, that the same journey is now performed in less than twelve hours, and the number of stage coaches which come in and go out of this city amount to nearly 100 daily. There was also one stage coach only that travelled from Gloucester to Bristol; it was drawn by four horses,

* We have now before us a Gloucester Journal, of the 23d of Nov. 1738, containing an advertisement precisely to this effect.