WHARFE. 81 



In the churchyard are preserved three remarkable crosses, of 

 unequal height and unlike ornaments, but all very interesting. 

 Our sketch (see the Lithograph) will give the general effect of 

 these objects ; the complication of the designs, in which animals 

 are introduced, is unusual. These crosses are no doubt Saxon, 

 though, singular to say, Camden speaks of them as Roman. 

 In the village we may yet find a grey -haired seer who thinks 

 them Draidical, and appeals to a fourth example on the road to 

 Keighley, still called the Druid's Cross. More care should be 

 taken of these curious relics. 



Ilkley has yielded a Roman votive altar, dedicated to the nymph 

 or goddess of the Wharfe, under the name of Verbeia. This name 

 scarcely conceals the British Gwru, rough, rapid, which exactly 

 fits this free and impetuous mountain-stream. The Saxon name 

 Guerf is scarcely different. The altar is preserved at Middleton 

 Lodge, but its simple inscription must be sought in the pages of 

 Camden and his commentators : 



VERBEIA 

 SACRVM 

 CLODIVS 

 PRONTO 

 PR.EF . COH . 

 II . LINGON . 



Fairfax says this altar was erected in water. 



From the following inscription, also preserved in Camden, 



IM . SEVERVS . 

 AVG . ET ANTONINVS 

 CAES DESTINATVS 

 RESTITVERVNT CVRAN - 

 TE VIRIO LVPO LEG E - 

 ORVM . PR . PR . 



we learn that it was rebuilt in the days of Severus by Virius 

 Lupus, the legate and propraetor. The same diligent antiquary 



