226 
From some unexplained reason the paper was published 
separately, and I feel sure you will be glad that, through the 
kindness of Mr Ernest Hartland, of Barnwood, from whom I 
obtained a copy, it now forms part of our Transactions. 
In the address last year I mentioned at page 121 that 
Mr Bellows’ paper on ‘‘The Roman Villas of Gloucestershire ” 
would be found in the proceedings. 
The author, with that modesty which forms so pleasing a 
part of his character, thought it was too fragmentary to be 
published, but I have prevailed upon him to allow me in some 
measure to supply the omission by including the following 
epitome in this address :— 
He began by pointing out that rightly to understand the 
Roman Villas in Gloucestershire we should divide them into 
three classes. Firstly, the Government farms for the supply of 
horses to the posting stations, and the official residences of 
officers in charge of signal stations. Secondly, the stations 
along the roads for the government service of posting, and 
similar, but less important buildings for the use of private per- 
sons travelling. Thirdly, farms that belonged to private owners. 
The great building at Woodchester must be classed apart 
from either of them, its proportions making it evident that 
it must have been the palace of some man of high rank; such 
as, perhaps, the governor of the province, or the comes stabult. 
In support of the idea that some of these Villas, like 
Witcomb or Chedworth for example, were government farms, 
a rescript of Valentinian was instanced, which ordains the 
establishment of such farms at convenient spots not far from 
the road stations; the latter being placed at distances of every 
5 or 6 miles along every main road in the Roman Empire. At 
every such principal posting station not fewer than forty 
horses were to be ready at call day and night; and to ensure 
this number being bona fide and not a mere list on paper, very 
stringent rules were made, forbidding any employment of the 
government horses for private purposes: even the governor of 
a province being forbidden to use them except officially. 
This Valentinian rescript gives curiously minute details to 
be observed at the stations to facilitate the journey of express 
rea 
