Excursion on Tuesday, August Ylth. 



135 



battle of Ethandun having been fought at Edington, and showed 

 how the name seemed to point to that place. 



The Vicar op Edington then put in a plea for contributions 

 towards the restoration of his Church, and Lord Nelson expressed 

 a hope that the interesting account of it by Colonel Bramble would 

 really be the starting-point towards its restoration, and commended 

 the preservation of such a valuable historical monument in regard 

 to change of style, as not merely a parochial, or even a county, but 

 a national undertaking. A discussion then arose as to whether 

 many of the old roads reputed to be Roman were not really British, 

 Mr. Myers, F.S.A., advancing the theory that not only the camps 

 and stations, but the so-called roads of the Romans were merely 

 utilizations of British trackways and stations. Mr. Picton, F.S.A., 

 however, differed in opinion, and asked for proof of this, either from 

 documents or British remains found on the roads ; remarking that 

 on the contraiy these roads agreed precisely with undisputed Roman 

 works of engineering in Italy, France and Germany. 



A short drive to Bratton, and a ramble on foot down a steep path 

 into the valley and up again to the knoll beyond, conducted to the 

 pretty little Church which stands sequestered from the village, and 

 nestling in a hollow beneath the downs ; and here Mr. Brock again 

 called attention to the cruciform arrangement which he had already 

 remarked in so many instances to be a peculiar feature of the village 

 Churches of Wilts. Hence a long and steep climb brought the 

 archseologists to the " Camp " and the "White Horse/'' which were 

 severally examined, and again discussed; and the magnificent and ex- 

 tensive view from this commanding eminence having been thoroughly 

 enjoyed; it was time to descend the hill and rejoin the carriages, 

 and drive first to Steeple Ashton Church, where the Vicar (Rev. 

 A. O. Hartley) received his numerous visitors, and conducted them 

 round his noble Church, which is a fine example of Late Perpendicular 

 work, with lofty west tower, and pinnacled and battlemented nave, 

 aisles, and chancel. Mr. Hartley also read notes on the architec- 

 ture of the Church, and called attention to the stone groining of 

 the roof. From Steeple or Staple (Market) Ashton a short drive 

 brought the party to Keevil, where first the Church was visited and 



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