EXCAVATIONS AT DORCHESTER. 5 



about 760 yards ; the remainder of the enclosed space falling 

 more or less on the arc of the circle, conforming to the natural 

 configuration of the ground in that part. This plan, however, 

 is not altogether detrimental to the idea of a Roman origin. 

 In Mr. John Ward's instructive book " Romano-British Build- 

 ings and Earthworks," there is a fairly long list of what he 

 terms " unsymmetrical Roman towns ;" and he adds that it 

 scarcely accords with facts to make the quadrilateral form 

 a test of military (i.e. Roman) origin." 



These notes should not close without a passing reference to 

 the only fragment now visible of the once massive stone walls 

 that surrounded the Roman town. It may be seen in the West 

 Walks between High West Street and Princes Street, and was 

 presented to the town of Dorchester by Mrs. Lucia Catherine 

 Stone, Jan. 1st, 1886. There is much difficulty in ascertaining 

 the period wiien these walls were destroyed. Some say it was 

 the work of the Danes, A.D. 1002, but much more probably 

 it was the gradual result of time and neglect through many 

 centuries. Such documentary evidence as we have shall be 

 given. In the Borough Records, under date A.D., 1633, it is 

 stated in an official letter that the town is " surrounded with 

 ditches and walls ;" while in 1642 there are detailed instruc- 

 tions for the defences and custody of the several gates of 

 the town. If gates, surely there must also have been walls. 

 In 1723 Stukeley says, " on the West side a great deal of the 

 wall was standing, and much more within memory ; " while 

 in Savage's " History of Dorchester," written 1832, we read 

 that the " pleasant and spacious walks were made about 

 1700 and 1712, and planted with rows of sycamore and horse 

 chestnut trees." The final demolition of the walls, rapidly 

 (no doubt) falling into a ruinous condition, took place 

 therefore, in all probability, at that period. 



