188 The Battle of Ethandun. 



Permit me to observe in conclusion, that the contrary opinion 

 which I have expressed to that supported by Dr. Thurnam, is not 

 inconsistent with that respect for him, as a valuable contributor to 

 the "Wiltshire Magazine," which his communications so well 

 merit. His statements are made in a clear and intelligible manner, 

 and his conciliatory style, presents a very advantageous contrast 

 with the disgusting dogmatism which defonus the writings of his 

 prototype "Whitaker, and which is utterly unworthy of that writer's 

 vigorous mind. It is no small advantage to our society to possess 

 a member, whose professional pursuits enable him to determine 

 many points of difficulty in considering the contents of our barrows 

 and interments, and the extensive acquaintance with antiquity and 

 other subjects, which Dr. Thurnam evidently possesses recals to our 

 minds the observation of Johnson, that physicians are more remark- 

 able for general attainments in letters and science, than members 

 of any other profession. Perhaps the result to which Dr. Thurnam 

 has arrived may not have been less satisfactory to him, from his 

 transfer (as he supposes) of so great an historical event to a neigh- 

 bourhood, from which he has at the same time abstracted the glory 

 of Hubba's Low ; but this feeling is probably slight, in comparison 

 with the satisfaction which I have derived, from convincing my 

 own mind (as possibly some others), after a careful consideration, that 

 the world has not been so many ages in error ; that my friend. Sir 

 Richard Hoare, was in the main correct in his conclusions, and 

 that his fame as an investigator of our primaeval remains, may 

 well sustain such serious attacks, supported as it is by his experi- 

 ence, judgement, and unwearied assiduity of research. Still, never- 

 theless, I could have wished that some more effective writer had 

 appeared in his defence, and in sustaining the authority of his 

 " Ancient Wiltshire," an inestimable legacy to this county, and a 

 work in its kind, unparalleled in the whole range of ancient or 

 modern topography : 



" Unde nil majus generatur ipso, 

 Nee viget quidquam simile aut seeimdum." 



I am, Sir, your obedient servant, 



Geo. Matcham. 

 Newhouse, June 4th, 1857. 



