66 PAPERS, ETC. 
the sides ornamented with devices, such as the sacrificial 
implements, the head of the vietim, or some other device. 
From the close correspondence of the cofüns found in 
and near Bath with those found in and about York, which 
have been, without hesitation, assigned to the Roman period, 
I am inclined to think that the former are Roman also. 
They are of a humbler description, but the character of the 
two cities differed essentially; York was an imperial resi- 
dence at certain times; it was the station of a Legion ; 
oflicers of the first rank were located there ; wealth was 
there concentrated, and art of a very high order. Whereas 
Bath was a place of resort for relaxation, and for the 
restoration of health. The military men who came there 
were either retired oflicers, or on leave, for the purpose 
of recruiting their health, and although the city and 
neishbourhood was much frequented for pleasure, repose, 
and relaxation, yet it had not the same character or 
importance as York. Nor could it be supposed to possess 
the same amount of opulence, and the same class of workmen, 
as would naturally congregate about a military station. 
No doubt the remains of the Temple of Minerva, still 
preserved in Bath, indicate its importance and its advance- 
ment in the arts; but the general class of citizens 
appear to have been content with humbler memorials 
than those that have been found in some other parts of 
our land. The frequeney of Roman coins, in connection 
with these coffins, is a strong corroboration of their Roman 
origin. But if they be not actually Roman, I think there 
can be little doubt that they must be referred to the period 
Just preceding the Saxon invasion, and be attributed to the 
Romano-British inhabitants of the island, who retained 
the Roman mode of life, while they fell far short of Roman 
perfection, both in arts and arms. 
