267 
whicli overlooks the country that lies between it and the 
Pennine chain, the Iter descended by a road, until lately paved 
in some parts with huge blocks of stone, to the termination 
of the second day's march from Danum. We have now 
reached Halifax, a post midway between Doncaster and 
Ribchester, and occupying geographically the same position 
on the present road«as Slack on the second and Ilkley on the 
seventh Iter ; and, at the same time, intersected by a road 
between the two latter places. Here, on an extensive plateau, 
overshadowed by a range of lofty hills to the east, at the base 
of which flowed a limpid brook, stood this important post on 
the Iter we are pursuing. Owing to its proximity to the 
military station at Slack, with the northern outpost of that 
place at Thick Hollins, in Greetland — both which could be 
surveyed from the hills at the base of the town — a garrison 
here would be wholly unnecessary. On this ground alone, 
the absence of fixed Roman indicia from Halifax may be 
satisfactorily accounted for, even though it was a place 
manifestly coeval with the Roman posts by which it was 
surrounded. Leaving Halifax, the way ascends to High 
Road Well and Camp End, in Warley ; where, passing the 
site of an important discovery of cinerary urns in 1848, it 
crosses the Iter from Ilkley to Manchester at Newlands Gate. 
From this point the road traverses the ancient hamlet of 
Luddenden; and, ascending to Midgley, passes near Old 
Castle and the circular British encampment on the hill above. 
From the high ground of Midgley, which commands a grand 
view of the surrounding country, the way descends by Wads- 
worth Lanes to Hebden Bridge and Mytholm: whence^ 
ascending the sudden steep of Rawtonstall — once a midway 
village, now entirely gone — by a zigzag-paved road, the way 
is continued by High Gate, Lane Head, and Blackshaw Head 
to Keb Coat and Hawkstones : thence forward to Stiperden. 
Passing Stiperden Cross, the ancient way, of which traces 
19 
