jebitor'6 mote. 



If the aim of the Classical Association may be defined in a sentence, 

 it is to preserve and proclaim the connexion of Classical studies 

 with the larger and deeper interests of daily life. The history, 

 the politics, the society, the literature, the religion of our own 

 community, all have their roots in antiquity; and none of these can 

 be fully understood without the help of the great ancient writers 

 whom the Classical student learns to count among his wisest and 

 most delightful friends. His work is to build a bridge between 

 the life of the past and the life of the present ; his ambition is to 

 make the bridge a broad, well-trodden road. One of the means to 

 this end is to discover and interpret the actual traces which remain 

 in our own district of the power which the Romans held in Britain 

 throughout the first four Christian centuries. 



To this task of enquiry the Manchester and District Branch of 

 the Classical Association hopes to contribute something year by 

 year. The present volume is the fruit of our first year's work 

 upon a particular site known as 'Melandra Castle,' and upon the 

 various objects found within it ; though it seemed well to include 

 two articles not directly connected with this site (Dr. Haverfield's 

 and Miss Limebeer's) but dealing with kindred topics. At the end 

 of the volume will be found the Proceedings of the Branch for 

 1905, including its Treasurer's Statement and its List of 

 Members. 



On behalf of the Excavation Committee I have to thank the 



