76 



stones of the bath are 10ft. long, — square sockets appear cut in 

 some of the steps, as if to support a baluster to a handrail.* 



At present the offices of the Poor Law Board stand above rather 

 more than one- third of this bath ; but it is hoped that before long 

 this building may be purchased, and the offices removed elsewhere, 

 so as to allow the whole area to be laid open. 



Six piers of wrought stone stand on each side of the bath, the 

 width of the platform surrounding the bath is 14ft. This has 

 been arched, as the remains of the roofing have been found in 

 large fragments, composed of hollow tiles, wedge shaped. It is 

 probable that the whole was orginally covered — the roof of the 

 central bath being higher than that of the platform surrounding 

 it. The present piers remain only to the height of 6 or 7ft., and 

 appear to have been strengthened by additions. Fragments of 

 the capitals of the pilastres have been found from which the 

 arches took their fepring, and some portions of a frieze, also the 

 figure of a lion, which seems to have served as an antefix. 



Since the large bath above described was exposed to view, 

 further discoveries have been made at the western end, near to 

 the large tank or reservoir below the King's Bath. These consist 

 of a Hall, 55ft. long by 36ft. wide, in the centre of which is a 

 circular bath with steps leading into it ; the depth is the same as 

 the great bath. To the south of this are vaulted chambers, as 

 may be seen in the plan given in the guide to the Roman Baths, 

 drawn by Major Davis, to whom very much is due for the spirit 

 and energy he has shewn in elucidating these remains. 



The steps which surround the circular bath and form seats, 

 are quite perfect, and the bath is now filled with water. To 

 the south of this a drain has been found by which the over- 

 flow from the baths was carried off. This circular bath has been 

 connected with the large Eoman reservoir, which also supplied 



* See Paper by Major Davis ia Trans, of Bristol and Gloucester 

 Arch. Soc, vol. viii., pt. i., p. 89 and following. 



