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umbrellas penetrated through all obstacles, and the party arrived 
in a dripping condition at the inn. Here however they were not 
only refreshed, but had time to dry their coats, while the heavens 
once more became clear and the sun re-appeared. Their luncheon 
was gladdened by the arrival of the Mayor of Gloucester, who, 
knowing that the party desired to visit the Gloucester Water- 
works, had driven out, accompanied by Mr. Reed, the engineer-of 
the works, to explain their construction. Under his guidance the 
party were brought to a point from whence the whole could be 
seen to advantage, and the nature of the stratification of the hills 
explained and the system of drainage understood. The party 
then descended the hill to the reservoirs, which form large lakes, 
and add not a little to the beauty of this lovely combe in which 
they are collected. 
After having examined the Water-works the remains of the 
Roman villa at Witcombe were inspected, which lie in the ascent 
of the rising ground to the south sufficiently high to command a 
good view of the valley as it extends to Gloucester and theSevern 
; having the ancient Roman road from Cirencester to Gloucester 
running in a direct course through it. 
Two rooms of the villa having tesselated pavements, now 
enclosed under sheds, were examined, and the patterns noted. 
_ The decorations are composed of cubes worked into the form of 
fishes of different kinds, chiefly salmon, and the outer border 
_ formed into the key pattern. These floors divided into apartments, 
the doorways of which remain, rest upon supports, and are hollow 
underneath. Some of the supports have fallen, and they are 
_ therefore rendered uneven. Near them is another chamber con- 
taining the bath, and an adjoining chamber, which has also a 
hypocaust underneath, and the external stove for heating. 
Higher up are the remains of the tank which supplied the water, 
_ but the stream is now diverted. 
_ Having returned from the villa to the carriage, which was 
waiting at some distance in the valley below, the party took leave 
