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coloured black. With it was a Samian cup (8), and a vessel of red ware, of a
similar pattern to the modern water bottle frequently seen upoft sideboards.
The two large vessels (9 and 10) were found together, near the
above-mentioned specimens; fig. 9 is of drab colour, its circumference being
39 inches; fig. 10 measures 12 inches in height, 5 1/2 inches in diameter at
its mouth, and 2 feet 5 inches in circumference at its widest part; it
appears upside down in the engraving.
It will readily be seen from the number of relics already found
that the field from whence they were taken was one vast cemetery; and no
doubt further excavations, more particularly to the north and northeast,
will discover many more specimens of like interest. The writer was most
unfortunate with regard to the preservation of the vessels. The workmen
procure the brick-earth by a process termed "falling," and the
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huge masses of earth, as they are
precipitated into the truck below, carry with them many interesting
objects, which are crushed in the fall.
When such discoveries as these are made, one is struck with
feelings akin to reverence at the sight of the little heap of calcined
bones, with urns, wine vessels and delicate Samian cups, placed there by
Romano-British hands so many hundreds of years ago, as a last loving
tribute of affection ere the earth covered all that remained of parent
or friend.
How often is the antiquary blamed for "disturbing the
ashes of our forefathers." Let any murmurs attend the discovery of
a Roman or Saxon interment when an archaeologist is not present, and let
them see the pottery and human bones, without thought or care, carried
away to the wash-mill in the brickfield, there
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