[ 346 ] 
of them have at different times been removed to a 
confiderable diftance from the places, where at firft 
they flood. So two of thofe mentioned by Camden , 
as then fixed in the inner fide of the wall at Bath> 
between the notth and weft gates (i), had doubtlefs 
been conveyed from the coemetery. And it may with 
equal reafon be fuppofed, that this was likewife 
brought from thence. 
But who the reigning emperor was, at the time 
this ftone was fet up, no intimation is given in the 
infcription. Tho, if one may be allowed to conje- 
cture, the form of the letters fuits very well with fome 
others in the reign of Severus. And perhaps no time 
was more open for fuch licentious practices, as might 
juftly merit the name infolentia , than the loofe reign 
of Commodus ; who, altho he was not the immediate 
predeceffor of Severus , yet died but a few months 
before he came to the empire. Befides, we have 
two other infcriptions found in Britain , addrefied 
Numinibus Align ft or um ; both which are thought to 
relate to Severus and his elder fon Caracalla , after 
he was joined with his father in the government (2). 
Nor can there be any doubt of this, as to one of 
them at leaft ; which is an altar, and has on one fide 
of it the names of both his fons, Caracalla and Geta , 
as conl'uls that year. So that upon the whole, I can 
find no other period of time fo probable for fixing 
the date of this infcription. 
( 1 ) Britann. pag . 172. edit. 1607. 
(2) Britann. Rom. Northumb, lxxxviii. Yorkjh. xviii. 
G. C. Nov. 2. 1753. 
LII. 
