255 
local nomenclature — two Gaelic names being yet found in 
juxtaposition. The field at tlie junction of the brooks is 
yet called Aber-skills (we have Skellbrook also in the 
neighbourhood). Volumes have been written on that word 
Aber and its meanings, so seldom found retaining its hold on 
the English speech, yet so common in the neighbouring 
Scotland. Isow I have to bring before you a singular in- 
stance of persons arriving at the same conclusions from 
difierent premises. I confess it was with no common satisfac- 
tion I one day received the following letter from a stranger 
who had been employed in the Government Geological 
Survey. 
"Belmont, Monk Bretton, Barnslet, 
April 2bth, 1868. 
"Sir, 
I take the liberty of writing to ask, whether in the course of 
your antiquarian researches you have visited Clifton common, near 
Conisbro. Pai't of the common has been enclosed and brought under 
cultivation, and while walking across it yesterday, my colleague Mr. 
Holmes picked up a flint flake ; half an hour's search gave us four or 
five more flint flakes, about which there could be no mistake, and some 
fragments of rude potteiy. I do not know whether in addition to your 
antiquarian likings you care much about these pre-historic remains, but 
if this is the case, I shall be very happy to show you what we 
found, and to act as guide to the spot. I should also be very glad to 
learn whether you have heard of any such remains being found in the 
neighboui'hood before. 
" I am, Sir, 
"Yours obediently, 
"A. H. GREEN." 
Some time elapsed before Mr. Green was able to fulfil his 
promise. I wrote to him for fuller information, and I 
received from him the following most interesting letter : — 
"28, Jermyn Street, London, S.W., 
Fehriuxry, 17 t/i, 1870. 
"My Dear Sir, 
I am very sorry that I let the whole of last summer 
pass without seeing you, but ofiicial business kept me so close at work 
