EARTHWORKS NEAR BRUTON. 63 



active exertions in the field of archasological research are 

 well nigh over ; increasing age and failing health are sad 

 drawbacks to a mere pickaxe-and-shovel antiquary, such 

 as myself. I can no longer climb about a church with 

 firm step and steady eye ; I can no longer wrap my coat 

 round me, and face without a shiver the cold blast from 

 the Atlantic, raging among the Western hüls ; nor lie 

 hour after hour on the bare hill side, under the burning 

 sun, watching every particle of earth, as it feil from my 

 labourer's shovel, without a wish for anything beyond a 

 draught of water and a crust of bread ; band, foot, eye, 

 and nerve are all failing, but I can assure those who I 

 hope will follow out the search with more success than I 

 have had, that they will find the pursuits of archaeology 

 pleasing and healthful alike to mind and body. The 

 Roman historian has said, " Ego hoc quoque laboris pre- 

 mium, petam, ut me a conspectu malorum qua? nostra tot 

 per annos, vidit setas tantisper certe dum prisca illa totä 

 menti repeto avertam." I can safely say, for the en- 

 couragement of those who are inclined to enter upon 

 archaeological pursuits, that if I have done but little good 

 by my labour, I have, at least, often forgotten the real 

 troubles of the present, while engaged in the investiga- 

 tion of the habits, manners, and works of those who have 

 gone before us. 



