336 



Examination of Barrows. 



row," of so much interest as the place of meeting in old times 

 of the Courts of the Hundred of the same name, had been left by 

 those who had excavated it a year or two before. A wide trench 

 had been dug through it on one side, from the summit, and the 

 rubble which had been thrown out had not been replaced ; though 

 the labour of a single day would have sufficed for the purpose. 

 Another subject of regret was the fact, that though, as we were told 

 by the neighbouring rustics, human remains, with pottery and cer- 

 tain other relics, were found in the barrow, no authentic account 

 of the exploration had, so far as we could learn, been put in print. 



I have now completed the account of the examinations I have 

 made in the barrows of North Wiltshire. The results may often 

 appear insignificant, and the details tedious, and the question may 

 arise, Cui bono ? If, however, we have failed in discovering the 

 rich arms and ornaments of the native Briton, or elaborate urns and 

 other objects of aboriginal manufacture, yet, speaking for myself 

 and occasional companions, as well as for those by whose n.anual 

 labour the work has chiefly been accomplished, we can at least look 

 back to pleasant days passed in active exercise on the breezy downs ; 

 where if, like the eastern monarch in the apologue, we have found 

 no basilisk, we, like him, have found healthful recreation suited to 

 our taste, the results of which, are not, we think, entirely without 

 value and interest. 



Erratum, 



In the description of Barrow No. 1, at p. 317, line 22, for " bell-shaped," 

 read "bowl-shaped." 



