xxvm. 



one on the north side was the property of the Brett family, and is now in 

 possession of the Lord of the Manor, C. S. Elton, Esq., M.P., Q.C. 



The remains of the Roman Villa, discovered some five years previously 

 in the grounds of Whitestaunton Manor House, were now visited. Major 

 Davis, F.S.A., who had carried out the task of excavating the remains, had 

 travelled over from Bath for the purpose of describing the principal 

 features of the Villa. He said that some forty years ago, whilst making a 

 new road, the workmen came upon some Roman tesserae, which led to the 

 impression that a Villa existed near the spot, though its site was not then 

 ascertained. In the year 1882 Mr. Elton again discovered some tesserae in 

 the brook below, and by cutting beneath the bed a layer of red stone was 

 found. By Mr. Elton's request Mr. Davis then undertook the task of 

 excavation, and by diverting the course of the stream and clearing away 

 a quantity of mud and rubbish he was able to lay open the foundation of 

 what was clearly a Roman house, though certain portions were not 

 complete. Mr. Davis assumed that this was the house of a Roman, who 

 was probably Lord of the Manor, and it appeared that as time went on it 

 was not large enough for his requirements, since theTe are traces of 

 additions to the original structure. The house faced south, the front wall 

 being 60 feet in length. Many of the rooms could be traced, and the 

 bathing apartments could be clearly distinguished, the heating of which 

 was effected by a hypocaust of two storeys, an arrangement which he 

 believed was not to be found elsewhere in England. The pilse supporting 

 the floor were of red stone, and the slabs covering the whole were of Ham 

 Hill stone. A hand quern and cider wheel and a quantity of pottery were 

 also discovered. 



The Rev. Prebendary Scarth considered that there still remained much 

 to be discovered, for the dwelling places of the Romans of distinction were 

 usually surrounded with numerous outbuildings. 



Luncheon was now taken at two p.m. in a barn adjoining, kindly lent 

 for the purpose by Mr. Wyatt. 



After luncheon the route lay over the high ground to Bewley Down. 

 This elevated district, which is covered with short turf growing on a thin 

 soil lying on the green sand, is only in places brought under cultivation. 

 Had the day been clear extensive views would have been obtained on all 

 sides, since the district constitutes some of the highest land in the sur- 

 rounding country, but a thick driving mist shut in the landscape. At 

 certain spots on the surface of Bewley Down there exist some ancient stone 

 circles and hut rings, which it was the object of the party to visit. Unfor- 

 tunately, owing to the growth of fern and gorse, these could not be found, 

 and a walk of two miles or so across the rough ground proved fruitless. 



