Second Bay's Proceedings. 309 



from the opposite direction, for to pass or turn were equally im- 

 possible j or in the event of darkness, when such a passage would be 

 attended with danger. 



However, the Archaeologists reached Westbury without mishap, 

 and proceeded at once to the fine old church, where they were met 

 by the Vicar, the Rev. H. H. Duke, who courteously conducted 

 them through the building ; and here they spent some time in a full 

 examination of the many points of interest therein. Pressed for 

 time, for they were already behind the hour named in the programme, 

 they were obliged to decline the hospitable invitation of the Vicar, 

 and to omit a visit to the iron works, which was proposed, and to 

 hasten on to Bratton. Before, however, they reached that village, 

 the more enthusiastic, which included the great bulk of the ex- 

 cursionists, left the carriages to find their way to Bratton, whilst 

 they scrambled up the steep slopes of the down to the White Horse 

 and the British earthwork known as Bratton Camp or Castle which 

 crowns the commanding eminence overlooking the plain, and which 

 has been celebrated since the time of Camden, as the supposed 

 stronghold of the Danes, whither they fled after the battle of 

 Ethandun, and where they were besieged by Alfred. Here their 

 party was reinforced by additions from Rood Ashton, and here, 

 standing on one of the Long Barrows which lies on the brow of the 

 Down, a very interesting lecture (printed in a later page of this 

 Magazine) was given by Dr. Thurnam, than whom no better ex- 

 ponent exists, of the long barrow in contradistinction to the round ; 

 of the earlier character of the former, as evinced by the long oval 

 form of skull, the " dolico-cephalic " form, as it is technically st}ded ; 

 as also the details of the opening of this barrow, first by Sir Richard 

 Hoare and Mr. Cunnington, and afterwards by himself. 



The refreshing breeze which always blows on these heights, and 

 the magnificent and very extensive view, combined to induce our 

 archaeologists to linger, but the whistle of the Secretary was sounded, 

 and a pleasant walk down the hill conducted to Bratton Church, 

 where their arrival had long been expected by those w ho had not 

 scaled the Down. Here they were met by the Vicar, the Rev, R. 

 Pyper, who very kindly pointed out the more remarkable features of 



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