MxtracU from a Note-Book by Sir R. C. Hoare. 235 



was found there about the year 1807, and the mutilated fragments are still 

 preserved by Mr. Francis, who procured an exact drawing to be made of it 

 immediately after its discovery. It was made of thick oak wood ribbed with 

 iron hoops, had two iron handles and plated with thin brass on which are embossed 

 various devices. An iron hollow bar goes across the two uprights A and B — it 

 contained some burnt human bones, which seem to prove its having been formerly 

 appropriated to sepulchral uses. Near it was found a perfect and beautiful little 

 cup similar in design to the one lately discovered near Boreham, Warminster, 

 and given by Mr. Cunnington to Miss Bennet, of that place — it varies however 

 m having six instead oi four indentations, and has a mixture of red with the 

 black, resembling bronze Mr. Francis has kindly promised to send me more 

 particular accounts in writing of the time when these discoveries were made. 

 He has had a plan made of the grounds, one of which is called "Barrow Field " 

 from a tumulus he remembered once there. 



" Marlborough common — a little way distant from the town on the northern 



side — a square ancient earthwork with an entrance on the side of it. 



A place called Cold Harbour near it. Mildenhall, about a mile-and-a-half east of 

 Marlborough — a small square work on the east side of the Church, in a meadow, 

 on a gentle eminence, three sides distinguishable — one corner rounded — has a 

 Eomanish appearance, and from its vicinity to the river, the station of Cunetio, 

 and the intersection of the two Roman roads, one from Bath to Spene, two from 

 Winchester to Cirencester — might have been a small post to guard the ford or 

 bridge of the Kennet — I add bridge because in my former notes I observed the 

 probable remains of such in the bed of the river. Numerous Roman coins have 

 been found at Mildenhall, in Mr. Francis's garden, churchyard, &c.,&c. The 

 tumulus has been dug into for stone, but I do not think it has ever been investi- 

 gated, or its interment injured. The parish church has round arches springing 

 from Saxon capitals, but nothing either monumental or architectural worthy of note. 



" Ramsbury. The venerable old stone turret of the Church has just undergone 

 a complete yellow-ioashing , and in the eyes of its vulgar inhabitants is much 

 beautified and improved. If conspicuousness is desirable this end is most 

 completely obtained, for no object in the whole vale is so much so. Called on 

 Mr. Meyrick, and rode, attended by his son, to Littlecott Park. The object of 

 this second visit was to see the site of the celebrated Roman pavement found 

 here. One person only could be found in the neighbourhood who recollected its 

 discovery, which was about sixty years ago. His name is Watkins. He showed 

 me the spot, and informed me that the pavement was broken up, but he did not 

 know what became of it. On entering the park at the keeper's lodge, followed 

 the line of trees and paling parallel with the river, and before I came to the house, 

 some excavations and irregularities in the ground mark the foundations of ancient 

 buildings, and the oblong square from whence the pavement was taken up still 

 visible. On the hill A, opposite the villa, are several small mounds of earth, 

 having very much the appearance of ancient tumuli. 



" Visited the remains of the Roman road leading out of the station of Cunetio 

 at Folly Farm towards Spines, which is visible first in a ploughed field on the 

 brow of the hill looking over the vale of Kennet, and afterwards on Stinchcomb 

 Hill, on a common or down — the last traces hitherto known of it. 



" Friday, 9 October. Fine and mild day. From Marlborough to Everley in 



