Maud Heath's Causey. 251 
Haud Weath’s Causey. 
To have a walk that shall be dry and available in all weathers, 
a real walk, not the mere distance for a turn or two on a garden 
terrace, but a good constitutional stretch, away into the country, 
nine miles there and back; to have this always firm and free from 
mud—non cuivis homini contingit—does not fall to every man’s share. 
Still more rare is it to find such a privilege free from the cost of 
maintenance to those who do enjoy it. But these united comforts 
have fallen to the lot of four contiguous and favoured parishes 
in North Wilts: Chippenham, Langley Burrell, Tytherton-Kella- 
ways, and Bremhill: for which they may thank the foresight and 
public spirit of “that worthy benefactress Maup Hearn.” 
Thomas Fuller the witty does not indeed mention her amongst 
the “ Worthies of Wilts”; but well did she, and well did any one 
deserve that name, who in days when roads were “founderous,” 
rivers had to be forded, and footpaths were none at all, did so much 
pro bono publico as to make a bridge, a road, or a causey.! These 
are in more senses than one essentially amongst the first steps 
towards the civilization of a country. Without them, there is no 
comfortable communication, no encouragement to the interchange 
of society, of capital, or of traffic. 
A curious illustration of the great importance anciently attached 
to the duty of providing safe and easy public thoroughfares, is 
supplied to us in the history of names. Amongst other titles borne 
by the Pope, is that of “Pontifex Maximus” which in its original 
sense means literally neither more nor less than the Head Bridge- 
Builder. And the way in which, according to received authorities, 
this title has descended to the Pope is this. In the earliest days of 
heathen Rome the duty of controlling the arrangement for public 
1 Thus the word is always spelled in old writers: and perhaps correctly: being 
nearer than ‘‘cause-way” to the French ‘“chaussée,” (a pitched road), from 
which it is derived, 
2u2 
