xxvn LETTERS TO MARCO 183 



very black and hard, the shoe flat and broad, 

 the iron being very thin, but of fine quality, 

 ringing like a bell when struck. It is of this 

 shape, and has not the little 

 turned-up bit in front which 

 modern shoes have. 



I believe a few coins were 

 found ; but these were all 

 taken to a Mr. Davis, 1 who 



Old Horse-shoe. 



lives here, who has a very 

 large and valuable collection of coins and 

 other antiquities. Any coins that are found 

 in this neighbourhood by workmen are 

 generally taken to him, as he always gives 

 a fair price for them. Mr. Davis has one 

 cabinet of coins which he told me he insured 

 for ^6000. He is courteous and obliging, 

 and very pleased to show his treasures to 

 those who ask to see them at any time. 



He is very well known to the people at 

 the British Museum, and is well up in numis- 

 matics. He has amassed a prodigious quantity 



1 Mr. Davis has, I am sorry to say, died since this was written. 



