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them in the woods of Stapleton, above the "Went, where exists 
one of the most important and curious earthworks in the 
country. 
The pit -dwelling or British camp I have to bring 
imder your notice to-day, is, I believe, one of the most 
perfect and symmetrical in England. The pits are in parallel 
rows as if for defence as well as for habitation. It has a roadway 
running through it leaving a row of outer pits on the lower side. 
The site is singularly well chosen to command " Strata-ford." 
On the hill above is one of the most extensive views in this 
part of the country. Sheltered from the prevalent winds, in 
a dry locality, on the slope of a hill, with a brook running 
near to supply them with fresh water. The earth from each 
dwelling is thrown up in a horse- shoe form, to make a plat- 
form for the erection of the stakes or trees to cover their 
dwellings and uphold the roof of ling or turf, as well as a 
protection against the prevalent winds. There is such a 
roofed dwelling, which would give you a good idea of how 
this was done, in a charcoal burner's hut at Cusworth ; 
I wish I could have got some one to make me a sketch of it. 
The circular form of these pit-dwellings appears to be that 
generally used by savages. Dr. Livingstone mentions that 
he found it impossible to teach the natives of South Africa 
to make a "square hut, when left to themselves for a few 
minutes they invariably reverted to the circle." AM the 
earlier habitations of pre-historic times are either oval or 
circular. Pearson's History of England, and early civilisa- 
tion, thus describes the dwellings of our own fore-elders : 
" The villages were circles of huts hollowed out of the hills 
or heath." Professor Phillips under the head of " Houses of 
the Brigantes " has as follows (p. 292) : " The buildings were 
numerous, much like those of Gaul. The ground is ex- 
cavated in a circular shape, so as to make a pit from 6 to 8 
or even 16 or 18 feet in diameter, with a raised border, and 
