THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS. 107 
of the columns of the original edifice. A remarkable confirmation of 
the tradition as to the time of the erection of the subterranean build- 
ing has been found in an inscription, on a slab discovered in one of 
the aisles, which gives the names of the consuls of the year 339. 
Before I close this reference to the progress of Archeological re- 
searches in ‘‘the Eternal City,”’ I must mention that the first volume 
of the great work by De Rossi on the Christian Inscriptions found 
at Rome has been published. ‘The whole collection numbers about 
11,000, of which 4,000, drawn from the catacombs, are anterior to 
the time of Constantine, and about 1,250 bear dates. 
The labours of the Prussian Commission in Athens have been re- 
warded by discoveries of singular interest. Prof. Strack had the 
honor of pointing out the spot where the remains of the Theatre 
of Dionysius were found, and early in the year the thirteen lowest 
rows of seats, with two marble thrones in front, were exposed to 
view. Other important results are expected from the excavations 
carried on under the superintendence of two other members of this 
Commission, Profs. Bottiger and Curtius. The enquiries of the 
former were directed to the Erectheion and Parthenon, of the lat- 
ter to the Pnyx. 
In France, the researches promoted by the Emperor have been 
rewarded by the discovery and identification of some localities men- 
tioned by Cesar in his account of his Gallic wars. The question 
relative to the points from which Julius Cesar started, and at which 
he landed, in his invasion of Britain, has been reconsidered. The first 
of these has been fixed at Wissant, coorrectly, as seems to me; but 
others believe either Boulogne or Calais, especially the former, to have 
stronger claims to identification with the Portus Itius. The other 
point, sci/, that of his landing, has been placed at Deal, or between 
Walmer Castle and Sandwich ; but on this we may expect more definite 
information when the report of an English committee appointed to 
investigate the subject shall have been published. 
The excavations, which are proceeding in England, near Wroxeter, 
the ancient Viroconium, may be expected to yield a considerable num- 
ber of Roman relics—already some valuable remains have been dis- 
covered. The ambitious name, however, which has been given to the 
place, ‘“‘the British Pompeii,” is likely to raise hopes which will 
certainly not be realized. Very lately in the north of England, in the 
Ime of the Roman Wall, at Benwell, the ancient Condercum, two 
altars have been discovered, the inscriptions on whieh add another 
