64 RIVERS. 



comparatively good preservation ; the southern one is much de- 

 graded by the plough, though centuries must elapse before its 

 main features are destroyed. 



These remarkable earthworks are formed on the plan of that 

 well known at Arbor Low in Derbyshire. The great feature 

 is a circular mound, about 1800 feet in circumference, and 

 rising in places to 15 feet in height ; within this is a ditch 10 

 feet deep in the parts best preserved, and above 1200 feet in 

 circuit; on the outside a concentric depression which is most 

 traceable round the northern ring. 



The passage across the ring is level, the bank appearing as if 

 cut through, and the inner ditch is filled up for the breadth of 

 about 16 yards not very different from what is observed on the 

 camp at Ingleborough, and in the circle at Arbor Low. These 

 works are sometimes described as Saxon camps ; they have also 

 been regarded as hippodromes ; and may further be considered 

 as suited to National Councils ; though they have not, as at Arbor 

 Low, stone seats in the inner circle for the leaders of the tribe, 

 while the people gathered on the surrounding bank 



Consedere duces, et vulgi stante corona 

 Surgit ad hos domiuus clypei. Ovid. 



(See the Plan of these Camps.) 



Passing Norton Conyers, the family seat of 



.... Norton and his eight good sons, 



the Ure reflects the ancient towers of Ripon ; three miles south- 

 west of which are the extensive and beautiful remains of Foun- 

 tains Abbey (Cistercian, 1152). 



Ripon was not a Roman, perhaps for the reason that it had 

 not been a British station. The artificial mound called Ilshaw 

 Hill is of doubtful antiquity. Gough says it is composed of 

 " human skeletons laid in regular order, greatly decayed, discern- 

 ible from the top to the bottom of the hill." A considerable 

 number of brass stycas of the later kings of Deira have been 



