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task. I count however on the indulgence which those who have 

 long studied such subjects are always ready to extend to a tiro 

 who is attempting, at a humble distance, to follow in their steps. 

 When I came to reside in Bath, five or six years ago, I had but a 

 slight acquaintance with archaeology, and did not feel any deep 

 interest in the study. But under the influence of the genius loci 

 I have been gradually led to pay attention to such researches ; 

 and, as is generally the case in all studies, the more knowledge I 

 have gained the more interest I have felt, with at the same time 

 an increasing impression of the magnitude of the field of enquiry, 

 and the difficulty of arriving at conclusions in all respects satis- 

 factory and such as may be considered final. My present paper 

 will be in full accordance with its title — an enquiry rather than a 

 dogmatic statement of results, and I shall feel thankful for cor- 

 rections and instructions from those who have long and success- 

 fully investigated local antiquities ; if I cannot hope to add any- 

 thing to their knowledge, I may at least elicit from them some 

 information that will be interesting and useful to others as well 

 as to myself I have endeavoured to prepare for my task, first 

 by observing carefully as opportunity offered, and secondly by 

 reading all I have been able to meet with bearing on the subject. 



The principal fortified hills near Bath are four, namely, Little 

 Solsbury or Sulisbury, Hampton Down, Lansdown and Pen Hill- 

 Concerning these, three questions may be asked. 1st. What are 

 the characteristic peculiarities of each 1 2nd. What indications 

 are there of the age at which, and the people by whom, the several 

 fortifications were raised ? 3rd. What is their mutual relation, 

 and how far have they had connection and communication with 

 each other % 



No detailed description of these places is necessary, as the 

 members are probably all familiar with them. I will only very 

 briefly remind you of their principal features. 



On Solsbury the fortifications enclose the whole summit of the 

 eminence, an area of about 30 acres. The isolated character of 



