352 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 17 18. 



from his words afterwards, slain. From the manner of his dehvering the story, 

 all those battles seem to have been fought, south of the river Thames, and 

 north of the Sylva Anderida, except the last ; and that in the first campaign 

 the conquests of Plautius could not have extended beyond Kent and Surry; 

 for it is likely that the first two actions happened about the skirts of the Sylva 

 Anderida, eastward of the river Medway; and the third, which continued two 

 days, on the banks of that river; because, from the river, where they were 

 routed two days successively, the Britons retiring, assembled their strength 

 again before their fourth overthrow, in that part of Kent which borders on the 

 Thames, not far from its entrance into the sea; and having passed it, were 

 followed by Plautius's Germans, and on the other side put to flight; which was 

 the 4th action mentioned by Dio. Claudius having been sent for, came the 

 2d year with powerful succours, to the assistance of Plautius; who with his 

 forces waited his arrival near the Thames, probably in that large strong camp, 

 yet to be seen not far from Bromley in Kent, on the river Ravensbourn. The 

 emperor joining him, immediately crossed the Thames; overthrew the Britons 

 posted on the other side to resist him ; advanced to Cynobelin's chief residence 

 Camalodunum. and took it; then receiving homage of some states, returned 

 to Rome. 



Considering therefore that Claudius staid but l6 days in this island, we 

 must conclude his dispatch was great, and that his progress could not have been 

 through more parts than Kent, Essex, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, and Surry. 

 As to what else relates to the British war in the time of Claudius, we have no 

 account from Dio, excepting that 3 years after, Titus rescued his father, Vespa- 

 sian, when in great danger. But where Suetonius treats of Vespasian's life we 

 are told, when that emperor commanded in Britain for Claudius, that he fought 

 30 battles, subdued two of the most powerful nations, won 20 towns, and 

 brought the Isle of Wight under the Roman obedience. 



Pliny tells us, that cherries were not known in Italy till the 680th year of 

 Rome, when L. Lucullus first brought them thither from Pontus; and that in 

 120 years they were so increased, that not only many other countries, but Bri- 

 tain also, was supplied with them; which must have been about 3 years after 

 Claudius himself had been here. The usual landing from Rome being then in 

 the county of Kent ; that fruit was doubtless there first planted ; and the soil 

 well agreeing with it, may be the reason that the best and greatest quantity of 

 it is yet there to be had. 



Agricola, in the second year of his lieutenancy here, when in winter quarters, 

 pursued conciliating measures to gain the Britons, by making them acquainted 

 with the Roman manners ; he not only in private persuaded, but publicly helped 



