106 PAPERS, ETC. 
Cxsar that for some centuries before Christ, the Belg® 
were the most energetic and powerful, and, as Dr. Guest 
observes, among half-civilized races this means the most 
aggressive of the Gaulish tribes. 
We will now proceed to trace the course of Wansdyke, 
and to point out the camps which lie in its course, giving 
a brief description of each as we proceed. According to 
Collinson, after quitting Marlbro’ Down, it visits Calston, 
Edington, and Spye-Park, crosses the river Avon near 
Bennacre, and again, after being lost in tilled fields, meets 
with the same meandering river at Bathampton. Its course 
is then continued over Claverton Down to Prior-Park, 
English Combe, Stanton Prior, Publow, Norton, Long 
Ashton, and terminates at the Severn Sea, near the ancient 
port of Portishead, formins a line of eighty miles in 
length, in more than three parts of which it is yet visible. 
I have mentioned the ancient Belgie settlement, which 
can still be traced on Hampton (or, as Collinson calls it, 
Claverton) Down, and which overlooks Bath and Bath- 
ampton. Itisa fortified point of great interest, and has 
been one of great strength and importance. The vestiges 
which remain of it are very extensive, and can be traced 
without difhiculty. A plan of it is given in Mr. Phelps’ 
History of Somerset, which is far from accurate. A survey 
was made by the late Mr. Skinner, of Camerton, and is, 
as I understand, deposited with his MSS. in the British 
Museum. I applied there to have a tracing of it, but, by 
Mr. Skinner’s will, his MSS. are not to be opened until 
50 years after his decease, and there are, I believe, about 36 
years still to run out. 
It consists of a bold, projecting promontory, at the base 
of which winds the river Avon, and overlooks the valley 
extending to Bristol, and also that in the direction of 
a 
