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empty along some grass fields, across the top of a splendid hop-yard (sadly 
blighted were the hops !), and at length reached Gattertop through the home 
orchard, the coachman having considerable difficulty in keeping his seat, now 
from the jolt into a deep rut, and again from the encounter of an apple tree. 
The members of the Club meanwhile attacked the camp from the hill, and wind- 
ing through wheat fields at length passed the ditches and ramparts into the outer 
camp, where Mr. Smith, the resident, was ready, very kindly, to direct them. 
Here was some excellent and very refreshing cider, most kindly sent by Mr. 
Vevers, of Ivington Park. The camp is of considerable size. The inner camp 
now occupied by a fine crop of wheat, measures in clear space 74 acres, whilst the 
outer camp is divided into two fields—one in pasture, with a substantial cottage 
and homestead, and the other occupied by mangolds, turnips, and a crop that at 
first looked composed of matricaria chamomila, or chamomile, but which on fur- 
ther examination proved to be peas. These fields measure in clear space 13 acres, 
so that independently of the extensive ramparts and ditches, the camp covers 
more than 20 acres of ground. There is an excellent spring of water near the 
cottage, so that the camp could be held for a considerable time. The earthworks 
are very strong on the south and west sides, and the chief entrance at the south- 
east corner is particularly guarded. On the north and west sides the ramparts are 
not so bold, for the hill there is much more steep. In a lime cornstone quarry, at 
the north corner, over 20 graves have been discovered, and with crumbling bones 
in some of them. In an open space in this corner Dr. Butt read the following 
paper :— 
IVINGTON CAMP. 
Tradition and history agree in identifying this hill as the scene of some in- 
cident in bygone times of the highest interest. Its secluded situation, and its 
strong natural position, crowned with the remains of very considerable earthworks, 
fully bear out the facts. It is proposed now briefly to recall to your recollection on 
the spot the chief events that are thus attached to the locality. 
In the first place tradition states that this hill was once ‘‘ the sacred scene of 
‘Bardic worship and Druidic lore. Under hallowed and umbrageous oaks, cur- 
tained with ivy and feeding the sage mistletoe, the venerable Druid performed 
mysterious rites, or dispensed to the listening throng traditionary lore, explaining 
the changeful universe, or awakening into living ecstasy the melodious lyre hymn- 
ing immortal strains.” These are the words, with many more in a similar strain, 
of Mr. Jonathan Williams, an authority so high that he is quoted by all the local 
directories and guide-books. ‘‘ Here the war-detesting Druids remained,” he 
adds, ‘‘ until the invasion of the Romans drove them to the more peaceful and less 
frequented recesses of Mona and Anglesea, where they could perform their sacred 
rites in secrecy and silence.” In support of this tradition it is stated that “a 
venerable instrument, a Druidical hatchet curiously engraved, which was a sacred 
instrument used in cutting the mistletoe from the oak,” was found here in 1764. 
Whatever influence this base representative of the “ golden sickle” may be sup- 
posed to have had with the unlearned was however effectually destroyed by the 
