348 Stonehenge Notes. 



ancient, and bears evidence of having been well used ; but the 

 general appearance of the specimens, with this one exception, is so 

 fresh that suspicions must be entertained as to their authenticity. 

 The skill to which "Flint- Jack" attained in the manufacture of such 

 implements, has led antiquarians to be extremely cautious in their 

 examination of specimens before accepting them as ancient relics. 

 On the same occasion attention was directed to the sarsen stone 

 which forms an impost of the outer circle, (the only one remaining 

 in dtu towards the north-west,) near the trilithon which fell in 

 1797. It was ascertained that the upper portion of it, to the depth 

 of a few inches, consists of a conglomerate of flints and sand. 

 This fact has not, we believe, been previously noted. Masses of 

 sarsen made up entirely of a similar conglomerate of chalk flints 

 frequently occur in the neighbourhood of Standen, near Hungerford, 

 but they are not found in the middle or southern districts of Wilts. 



We are informed that a few months ago Captain 



commenced digging at the foot of the largest trilithon, " for the 

 purpose of finding how deep the stone was inserted in the ground." 

 He was remonstrated with, but refused to desist till the police 

 opportunely interfered and took him before a Magistrate, from 

 whom he learnt a wholesome lesson. 



Depredations are still perpetrated on Stonehenge by excursionists 

 and other visitors. About two years ago, a mass, which must 

 have weighed nearly fifty-six pounds was broken, apparently by 

 means of a sledge hammer, from the hard schist, marked No. 9 in 

 Hoare's plan. The softer stones are frequently much chipped. 

 On the 17th July last a party of goths lighted a fire against one of 

 the stones on the south-east side of the outer circle, by which it 

 was much damaged and disfigured, and several fragments were 

 broken ofi" by the heat. Sui-ely some steps should be taken to 

 prevent the recurrence of these outrages. 



It is well known to visitors that Mr. J. Brown has been for 

 many years the resident custodian and illustrator of Stonehenge. 

 On many occasions he has succeeded in arresting the ravages, 

 (worse than those of time), which ruthless hands would have 



