272 Selwood Forest. 
as Inspector of Ancient Monuments appeared to make a formal 
enquiry necessary, in order to pronounce whether this place were or 
were not the remains of a British city : because, if so, it might have 
to be taken under Government protection. The General’s report 
was unfavourable. He could find no signs of ancient habitation. 
It is very likely that most persons, upon a mere cursory inspection 
of the ground, would be of the same opinion, and would leave it 
with the full persuasion that the pits never could have been human 
dwelling-places. There is no trace of street, no regularity, no 
vestige of foundation of houses to be seen. The idea of these holes 
having been used for occupation by families, without any appearance 
of arrangement for proper drainage: and accessible only by steep 
descent of many feet, conjures up before the mind nothing but a 
vision of unwholesomeness, a huge collection of human cesspools, 
sinks of abomination and disease. 
But it is a case which ought not to be judged of too hastily, upon 
mere appearances, and without some calm consideration. Mr. 
Kerslake’s arguments are so strong that it is difficult to refuse 
assent to them. His statement is, in brief, that the platform of 
Penselwood was once a strongly-fortified place, and that these pits, 
taken in connection with that fact, are the sites of dwellings of 
some kind, occupied by a large population. His pamphlets upon 
the subject are convincing, however, at first sight, startling. 
The story is this. You will remember that the Roman Emperors 
were a long time getting possession of this country, and that several 
expeditions failed. About A.D. 47, Vespasian, then only a general, 
afterwards Emperor, landed with an army at some place on the 
south coast, fought thirty battles, took more than twenty hill forts, 
and the Isle of Wight. That is really all the Roman historian tells 
us, which certainly is as brief an account as could be given of such 
long and large military transactions—thirty battles described in less 
than thirty words. He does not mention a single name of any one 
of these hill forts. Comes next a very old Welsh history. It 
mentions just what I have quoted from the Roman historian, and, 
oddly enough, gives the name of one, and only one, of the hill forts 
so taken; the name he gives is Caer-Pen-hwil-goit. Come next 
