558 Rev. Mr Witu1ams on one Source of the 
3 
up.’ The probability therefore is, that Moenia, by which the 
strongest defences are in general meant, were made of stone. An 
examination of Moenio, the verb of Moene and Meenia, and more 
commonly written Munio, will furnish us with a proof that such 
probability is almost certain. For we find that Munire viam, is 
“eam sternere lapidibus ;” e. g. “ Perinde' quasi Appius ille 
coecus viam munierit, non qua populus uteretur, sed ubi posteri 
ejus impune latrocinarentur.” Nay more, Tacrrus, who is fond 
of recurring to the original meaning of words, puts in the 
mouth of Gaxeacus the strong expression, “ Sylvas et Palu- 
des emunire,” “to make stone causeways through woods and 
marshes.” Closely connected with Moenia is Munus, written 
by the ancients Moenus, which, if Varro is right, was “ the 
metal or earth required from each soldier when a position was 
to be fortified,” for after explaining, according to his theory, 
the source of Munus, “a gift,” he adds, “ Alterum Munus, quod 
muniendi causa imperatum,” “ Another Munus, is that which is 
ordered for the purpose of fortifying ;” hence he derives “ Muni- 
cipes, qui una Munus funyi debent,” “ who are bound to the com- 
mon defence of their town ;” hence Immunes, those who are 
free from such or any other public burden; hence Munera, 
offices, originally as in England, parish burdens, but latterly, when 
wealth increased, sought after, and highly valued. Cognate with 
Munus, in the sense of metal, we have the Cum. Mwn, or Mwyn, 
“ore, any thing dug out of the earth,” e.g. Mwyn aur, “ gold 
mine,” Mwyn arian, “ silver mine,” &c. whence, Anglice, Mine. 
It is difficult to account how Minium, red lead, took the generic 
name. We only know, that the Romans supposed it to have been 
derived from the Minius amnis (the Minho), which probably de- 
rived its name from it. Because Virruvius, “ Minium inquit et 
Indicum nominibus ipsis indicant, quibus in locis procreantur.” 
1 Cicer. Pro Milon. cap 7. 
* De Ling. Latin. Lib. v. 42. 
In fine Cap. ix. 1-7. 
