Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 11.djvu/265

FROM THE ROMAN WALL NORTHWARD INTO SCOTLAND. 229 above three feet thick, but are now covered over with turf. Here then are the ruins of three castcUa, or fortresses, nesthng amid mountain glens and streams, in quick succession, ■within the sliort distance of 100 yards. Two of them occupy a position within the forks of the rivers, and impress on the mind an idea of the strength of their position and of their antiquity. This place would be about the proper distance for a Mile Castle. Gibbon, speaking of the Roman roads, says, " The advantage of receiving the earliest intelligence, and of conveying their orders with celerity, induced the Emperors to establish, throughout their extensive dominions, the regular institutions of posts. Houses were everywhere erected at the distance of only five or six miles ; each of them was constantly provided with forty horses, and by the help of these relays, it was easy to travel an hundred miles in a day along the Roman roads." Hence this place, or the Cross, might not only be the site of a Mile Castle, but also one of those stations for the speedy conveyance of despatches, being about six miles from the station at Bewxastle. Here may fancy wander back to scenes of other days. It may well excite our wonder that the Roman w^arrior should have been induced to quit the warm and delicious breezes of Italy for the conquest and permanent occupation of a country, w^here the seasons are so cold and variable, and whose climate is either saturated with humidity during a great part of the year, or exposed to cutting and boisterous winds, and anything but soothing to the respiratory organs ! About half a mile westward from this place is an allotment of Common called the Clint,^ situated on sloping ground rising from the Black Lyne river. About the middle of this allotment is a large quantity of stones generally known by the name of Roman Camps. The stones are laid in rows, and are of different shapes. There appears to be one principal row from east to west, and several other rows in connection with it, some forming rectangular, and some forming circular figures, with an entrance on the north and south sides. Some of them may have been the foundations of buildings, while others appear to resemble resting-places 8 Clint, a rock. Brockett explains bare lime-stone rocks. Possibly a modifi- " cliuts" as signifying crevices amongst cation of Sax. Clif, dhus, a rocky steep.