1138 
Arthurian days or the more substantial keep which in medieval times must have 
been attached to the castle at its base. Suffice it to say that the view from its 
summit amply rewarded those who showed themselves indifferent to the wetness 
of the grass, and the exertion of climbing rendered them better able to do justice 
to the good fare that awaited them at the Priory. ‘‘ Many have told of the monks 
of old,” but few can have partaken of better cheer than was spread before the 
Woolhopians within these monastic walls by their hospitable owner. In truth 
there was nothing in the scene to remind one of the cell or cowl, and the graceful 
presence of several young ladies rather carried one’s thoughts back to those earlier 
and more romantic days when at Whitsuntide King Arthur 
“Held Court at old Caerleon-upon-Usk.” 
Dinner over, it devolved upon the President (Rev. C. J. Robinson) to convey 
to Mr. and Miss Lee the very cordial thanks of the Club for the sumptuous enter- 
tainment of which they had partaken, and to request Mr. Lee to unfold, as far as 
possible, the past history of the military capital of Siluria. As Mr. Lee has kindly 
permitted the Club to print the paper, it will be enough to add that it was listened 
to throughout with the greatest attention, and that the writer has fixed its salient 
points upon the minds of his auditors by kindly presenting to each of them a series 
of appropriate illustrations. 
The weather having now become bright and warm an excursion was made 
to the site of the old amphitheatre, where, beneath the grassy covering, may still 
be traced the tiers of seats. Nor is it difficult to recall the time when, from some 
building on the adjacent ground (still known as the Bear House Field), there issued 
into the arena “‘the man and beast for deadly contest trained.” It may perhaps 
be doubted whether the gladiatorial combats in which ‘‘man was slaughtered by 
his fellow man” ever took place on this fair scene ; but in the museum of Caerleon 
there is a fragment of a stone slab upon which is sculptured a fight between a mastiff 
(of the old English breed), and some wild animal—depicting possibly a fierce 
struggle which the Roman inhabitants of Isca desired to have commemorated. 
The fragments of Roman masonry, which yet form part of the city wall, 
having been duly inspected, the Club divided itself into two sections, of which one 
ascended the hill, visited Christchurch, and surveyed the Bristol Channel and 
smoke of Newport, while the other, led by Mr. F. Moggridge and other local guides, 
made a close examination of certain antiquarian objects within the limits of Caer- 
leon. These consist chiefly of a ruined tower upon the river side, which com- 
manded the bridge of boats; the upper parts of the house now called the Hanbury 
Arms (wherein, it may be noted, Lord Lytton and Arthur Tennyson have both 
lodged), and the parish church, in which are imbedded a Norman arch and pillar 
of rude design, and part of which rests upon foundations of Roman masonry. 
The pleasant day came at length to a close, but not before the Woolhope 
Club had again experienced the hospitality of the modern Silurians, and at the 
houses of the Vicar and of Dr. Woollett fortified themselves against the fatigues 
of the homeward journey. 
It was announced that the Fungus Foray this year would be on Thursday, 
the 14th of October, 
