ROMAN ROADS IX BRITAIN. n 



duced by that ruling people (the Romans) into the 

 conquered States, were the high\vays, which form, 

 indeed, the first germs of national industry, and with- 

 out which neither commerce nor society can make any 

 considerable progress." 



Conscious of this truth, the Romans seem to 

 have paid considerable attention to the construction 

 of roads In the distant provinces ; and those of 

 England, which may still be traced In various 

 ramifications, present a lasting monument of the 

 justice of their conceptions, the extent of their views, 

 and the utility of their power. A grand trunk, as 

 it may be called, passed from the south to the north, 

 and another to the west, with branches in almost 

 every direction that general convenience and expedi- 

 tion could require. 



Mr. Eustace says, in his " Classical Tour : " " Thus 

 the civilised world owes to the Romans the first 

 establishment and example of a commodious inter- 

 course ; one of the greatest . aids of commerce and 

 means of improvement that society can enjoy." 



r\Ir. Smiles, in his life of Sir Hugh jMyddelton, 

 speaks of a Roman causeway which was discovered 

 in the Fen districts.* He says that it was about sixty 

 feet broad and laid with gravel about three feet thick. 

 A cutting made across it at Eldernell shows the 

 permanent manner In which the Romans did their 

 work. It was laid upon the moor, the lowest layer 

 belns: of oak branches, then a considerable thickness 

 of Northamptonshire rough flagstone, then alternate 

 layers of gravel with small layers of clay, which 

 together have formed a cement that nothing but the 

 vigorous application of the pick can remove. 



^ In Lincolnshire. 



