43 
its strength from the White Horse, is deserving of grave 
consideration. The most learned archeologists all concur in 
supporting this theory. Contemporary historians fully confirm 
it ; and the strategic and topographical reasons are, to my mind, 
most natural and conclusive. It will not therefore I trust be 
presumptuous in me, in opposition to the learned researches of 
most modern writers, to assert confidently my belief in the old 
established tradition of this being the scene of Alfred’s crowning 
victory.* 
The Chairman's Address on Topography. By Dr. HUNTER. 
(Read 12th November, 1873.) 
The following Address to the Club was not offered as a Communication 
of original matter, but rather as a useful address with which to 
commence the Winter Session. Its length has been reduced by the 
omission of some superfluous illustrations. To those who would 
pursue the subject the writer recommends examination of the publi- 
cations of the Record Commission and the Master of the Rolls, 
and a perusal of the prefaces to the topographical volumes in the 
Bath Institution Library. 
Again the season for the fields has closed to field clubs, and 
* There is also a living witnesss to the original name that can I think be 
ealled, the furze bushes that crown the steep. It has been suggested that 
the root of the word Ethandun may be the British word Aeth, Eth, Furze 
or Gorse, and the origin of ‘‘Heath.” The names of hills are more 
frequently found to be given them by the early inhabitants, and this dun 
may in old times have been known as the Aeth-dun, or Furze Hill. If we 
derive it from a Saxon root it may be traced to Hth-a wave; and this 
would well express the character of the hill, as it is very like a wave about to 
topple over into the plain below. 
