12 THE HISTORY OF NEWMARKET. [Book I. 



and consequently there is a passage ; but to prevent the 

 enemies' frequent incursions it is defended by a bank like a 

 lofty wall, and a ditch." A reference to the sketch and 

 section accompanying these notes will at- a glance show the 

 appropriate character of Abbo's words. . . , 



I have hitherto omitted to mention that I observed some 

 fragments of Roman tile scattered near the dyke, and that it 

 appears to have been cut through in forming the present high 

 road from Newmarket to Cambridge. That is some evidence 

 for its very high antiquity. I recommend the explorator of 

 this interesting fortification not to fail to visit the dyke at the 

 Links, to descend into the fosse, and obtain the view I have 

 given of its course, ascending the rising grounds southward in 

 the direction of Wood Ditton. It will then be allowed I have 

 drawn no exaggerated picture of the work. On the race- 

 course at Newmarket its character is not so bold ; it has been 

 broken through in order to form apertures for the running 

 horses at places which the general name of gates {i.e. gaps) 

 has been given, and the rains of centuries have had more 

 effect in reducing its features. If opportunity should occur, 

 I shall be happy at some future period to survey the entrench- 

 ments marked in the Ordnance map at Wood Ditton, and to 

 trace the dyke to its termination at Reach. 



The question in the meantime still lies open, whether the 

 Devil's Dyke is a Roman or a Saxon work, and any informa- 

 tion tending to settle that point, conveyed through the 

 medium of the " Gentleman's Magazine," will be received with 

 satisfaction. The generations of mankind rapidly pass away, 

 but the monuments which their labour has erected on the 

 surface of the earth remain. Tradition generally affords an 

 uncertain or exaggerated view of their origin, if remote, or, at 

 a loss for its traces, proclaims them the work of demons. 

 Written records are sometimes scanty, or altogether wanting. 

 Documents and relics are often worthless, if not submitted to 

 critical analysis. In many cases the aid of actual survey and 

 delineation, and of the mattock and spade, must be resorted 

 to. Coins, military weapons (observing whether these be of 

 brass or iron), relics of domestic utensils or sepulchral rites. 



