MINING OPERATIONS OF THE ROMANS. 33 



Lastly, it appears that the Romans worked the iron- 

 ore, which is found under similar circumstances in Ox- 

 fordshire. * 



The conclusion to be drawn from the facts now collected 

 together appears to me to be that the mining Operations of 

 the Romans were characterised by the grandeur, the 

 wisdom, and the methodical regularity, which were the 

 general features of their government. The Britons, whom 

 they subdued, had already attained to considerable pro- 

 ficiency in mining, and still more in the working of metals ; 

 but under the Romans mining and metallurgy inade a 

 progress equal, probably, in amount to that which has 

 been effected from the cessation of their sway in Britain 

 up to our own time. 



The question has been raised, what motive urged the 

 Romans to invade and conquer Britain, and to hold it so 

 long under their dominion ? Undoubtedly ambition, the 

 love of power, and the desire of annexation, were motives 

 of great force. The love of gold has also been assigned, 

 with considerable reason.f But ought not a still higher 

 place to be assigned in this instance to the love of tin, 

 lead, copper, and silver ? Next to Spain, this island ap- 

 pears to have been the most productive territory held by 

 the Romans for the working of mines, and to the prosccu- 

 tion of this object they seem to have applied their energy 

 in Britain more than to any other branch of industry. 



Note. — In compiling the above memoir, I have received 



* Mark Anthony Lower, in Sussex Archceological Collections, II. p. 

 100-170, in. p. 248; and in the Journal of the British Archceological 

 Association, IV. p. 265 ; Thurnam's Crania Britannica, p. 102. 



f Bruce's Roman Wall, p. 29-31. 



