238 SILCHESTER. boundary runs towards a large tumulus, which, at a distance of four miles from kSiichester, forms the meeting point of the parishes of Brimpton, Wasing, Aldermaston, and Baughurst, as we understood ; Tadlej, at one time, we are told, ran up to it also ; but, in some dispute with the parish of Baug- hurst, a part of the common was lost. Those who have examined cases where the boundary over unenclosed commons has been disputed, will be prepared to learn that the county line is not straight, and, though the general hue is tolerably so, there are several bends in it ; still it seems probable that this county line of boundary to the west of Silchester was as much a line of road as the similar hne on the east. It has been observed before, that taking the course of this west hne as compared with that on the east, by Park Lane, it seems probable that Mortimer-west-end was once within the boundary of Berkshire, and that it was in ancient times taken within the Hundred of Holdshot to enlarge the manor of Silchester.^ The present county boundary was made at the general enclosure, and an old resident on Tadley Common, who assisted in making the fence, contended that previously there was no fence over the common between the counties ; we may, therefore, borrow a little from each side, and presume that the original line, the ancient division of the tribes, ran straight to the large tumulus ^ on Baughurst Common, and perhaps was the line of the Roman way as far as the tumulus, and that thence towards Newbury (Spina;) the Roman road took another direction. Be this as it may, there is not even a flint in the way side to lead to a supposition that the road was ever there. ^
- At a little more than a mile from the ^ This tumulus is the most easterly of
West Gate on tliis line of boundary is an three, near to each other, near the Lodge ancient stone, called Nymph Stone. Some Gate, at the entrance leading to Wasing. suppose the word may have been Imp, and It is surrounded by a ditch of 60 yards thus have been placed by the Romans ; in diameter ; and though a great quantity but as it forms the boundary stone of has been carried away, it still stands a parishes, as well as counties, at that spot, remarkable monument of former times, it seems more likely to have been placed These tumuh are called Baughurst bar- where it is, when Mortimer West End is rows ; they are about 560 feet above the presumed to have been added to Holdshot sea level, and about 460 feet below the Hundred. I think I was indebted for the chalk range. above suggestion regarding Mortimer • Dr. Beeke observes, " no traces remain West End to the Rev. Mr. Coles, the rector of any regulai-ly drawn road from Silchester of Silchester, whose permission to examine to Newbury, wherefore I think that the the parish map, and even to dig for re- western communication with the ro»d mains within the glebe lands, I am desiious from London to Bath was at Tiiatcliam." to acknowledge, with thanks. (Arclitcologia, vol. xv., p. 184.)
