ROMAN REMAINS IN BATH. 97 



The letters LEB for LLB indicate that he was afreed- 

 man, probably another slave manumitted by Aufidius 

 Maximus. 



Among the sculptures formerly to be seen in the walls of 

 Bath, was one in which two figures were represented, which 

 Dr. Guidott supposed to be a Roman threatening a Brlton, 

 but which, if we may depend on the engraving given in his 

 book, appears rather to be a Roman, in the act of manumit- 

 ting a slave, by placing the cap upon his head. Possibly, 

 says Mr. Hunter, this may be Aufidius, and one of these 

 freedmen. 



Mr. Lysons concludes, from the form of the letters, that 

 this altar, or the preceding one, was made about the 

 beginning of the third Century. 



We have here, therefore, two very pleasing memorials of 

 gratitude, which have survived to teil not only of the 

 benefit which the waters had couferred, in restoring health, 

 but pointing out the gratitude, first of the Roman freed- 

 man, to the Divine source from whence he conceived the 

 healing virtue of the Springs to flow ; and secondly, his 

 kindly feeling to one who had bestowed the great blessing 

 of freedom upon him. It would be well if Christians, Avho, 

 in themselves, or their relatives or friends, derive benefit 

 from the waters, would show a lUce spirit of grateftil 

 remembrance, which may find expression in numberless 

 ways, such as in supporting the hospitals, or in ministering 

 to the spread of a purer Faith than that of the gratefiil 

 Roman. 



I must mention here, another altar, found in 1774 near 

 the hot bath, on removing the rubbish, to get at the head 

 of the spring. At the same tirae, many coins of the upper 

 empire, from Nero to the Antonines, were found, chiefly of 

 middle brass. The altar Is dedicated to the goddess Sul- 



1853, PART II. N 



