259 
PAPER ON CERTAIN ROMAN ROADS IN YORKSHIRE IN USE AT 
THE PRESENT DAY. BY MR. FRANCIS A. LEYLAND, OF 
HALIFAX. 
In the summer of 1861 I read, before the "West Eiding 
Geological and Polytechnic Society, an essay on the Eoman 
roads which intersected the parish of Halifax. In that 
essay I set forth the difficulties which had beset the investi- 
gation into the origin and history of the Roman Iters of this 
county in general. They were such as to discourage, at the 
very onset, any further inquiry into questions vexed by so 
many doubtful theories, contrary opinions, and aimless 
courses. Learned dissertations had been written from time 
to time, and the names of Camden, Burton, Gale, Horsley, 
the two Whitakers, "Watson, and Hunter, gave sanction to 
theories which later investigations have proved, in great 
measure, to be unsound and valueless. But the learned 
author of the Deanery of Doncaster is persuaded that a 
great revolution in the Eoman topography of this part of the 
kingdom will yet be effected.* To accomplish this, it will be 
necessary to lay down fixed and certain principles from which 
there can be no appeal. To these we must rigidly adhere, 
without regard to former theories, excepting what may be 
cited from them in corroboration of the certitudes which 
these principles and rules evolve. We must mark upon an 
accurate map the sites of towns known to have been of 
importance in Eoman times. Between these we must draw 
straight lines over the districts they cross. Thus guided, we 
must search near them for ancient and long-beaten tracks on 
which the countless footsteps of past generations have trod. 
To these we must find attached, along their courses, names 
indicative of an existence, at least, in Eoman times. Upon 
these roads we must look for ancient towns which have from > 
• Additions and Corrections to Deanery of Doncaster. Vol. 1, p. vii. 
