appear to be unique, and the accurate plates are highly to be esteemed as memorials of their curious character. Some interesting examples of ancient interments in lead appear to have escaped the diligent researches of Mr. Richardson, such as the leaden coffin discovered on the Ermin street near Gloucester in 1781, supposed by Mr. Douglas to be Roman, but probably of the Saxon period[1]. The leaden coffins found more recently in the neighbourhood of London and at Colchester, as also on the site of Wymondham Abbey[2], may also deserve attention, for the purpose of comparison with the more richly ornamented cists represented in Mr. Richardson's work. To the valuable facts connected with sepulchral usages he has added a notice and representations of some curious examples of ancient pavement tiles, and of small earthen vessels discovered in the excavations at the Temple Church. It would have been interesting, had it been practicable, to have ascertained whether any of these vessels had been deposited in the graves of ecclesiastics or other persons. It was usual, as it is well known, to inter with the corpse of a priest, a chalice, usually of pewter, but in default of such vessel of metal, it occasionally occurred, as we learn from the ancient Custumal cited by Martene, that an earthen cup was deposited in its place—"si non habetur (calix) stanneus, saltem Samius, id est, fictilis." There was also another singular purpose which might have occasioned the deposit of such earthen vessels. In the relation of the interment of a French Bishop it is stated that a lamp was placed in his coffin, so that at the moment when it was closed it might still be full of light[3]. Certain earthen vessels, not very dissimilar in form to one found at the Temple, were discovered in sepulchral cists near the abbey church of St. Denis; they had evidently served as small funereal lamps. [4]footnote of unknown location (Wikisource contributor note)
Roman antiquities found at Caerleon, (the ancient Isca Silurum,) By John Edward Lee. London, 1845.
At Caerleon in Monmouthshire was, as is well known, one of the most important of the Roman stations in this country, it was occupied by the 2nd legion, and called Isca Augusta, or Isca Silurum, the term Isca being preserved in the modern name of the river Usk. The ruins of the Roman city were considerable enough in the twelfth century to attract the notice of Giraldus Cambrensis, who speaks of the walls of temples, palaces, theatres, and hypbcausts, as yet remaining in his time. These great architectural features have nearly all disappeared, but the plan of the ancient city may still be traced, and within the walls, in the suburbs, and in the neighbourhood, many very interesting objects have of late years been found.
In the work before us these antiquities have been delineated by Mr. Lee with the most praiseworthy care and fidelity. The first six plates contain
