ton-upon-Thames. This Iter, having proceeded to Calleva (Reading), did not pass the Thames, but, as I sup pose, went on to some place on that river, where there was a bridge over it; and which place was, it seems to me, at Walton, for I believe the large stakes there, mentioned by Bede (some of which remained until recently), were not those with which the Britons opposed Cæsar's passage (although I believe he passed the river there), but were the remains of a bridge which the Romans subsequently erected here. Perhaps Pontem was originally expressed in this Iter, and not Pontes. The tradition of the inhabitants of this neighbourhood, is that a bridge existed here in early times. After crossing the river here, the Iter then, in my opinion, proceeded, on the Middlesex or north side of the river, to Londinium (the City of London). It is evident that there are errors in the numbers or distances given in this journey by the Itinerary, and I cannot help believing that one or two stations are (as we now find it written) left out of it. Under this impression I am inclined to believe that it originally stood, or nearly so, as follows (premising that in the three editions mentioned above of the Itinerary, the total number of miles is variously given as 96, 115, and 116): Clausentum, m. p. xxx. Londinium, m. p. xxii. whereas they are about fifteen Roman miles apart. The distances between Reading and Walton, and between the latter and London, certainly are not equal; but, if it be conceded that the road from Walton (Pontes), at that period, lay on the north side of the Thames, the angle which it was necessary to describe, on account of the course of that river, would go far, if not entirely, to make up the deficiency in distance. I have placed Vindomis, or Vindonum, at Odiham, principally on account of the modern name seeming to retain something of the ancient one; but there are other reasons which induce me to entertain this opinion, although it has, with some degree of probability, been placed at Basingstoke. I shall here leave this subject for. the present, without entering more minutely into it, being somewhat anxious to see what objections are raised to the opinions I have ventured on the course of the Iter in question, and the stations upon it; and to induce those more on the spot to devote their attention to it. Yours, &c. MR. URBAN, J. P. Jan. 19. I OBSERVE in the Minor Correspondence of your Jan. Number a note from A. J.K. in reply to me, respecting the derivation of the name Warwick. He has certainly drawn out a tolerable case in favour of the British word; but, nevertheless, I must still retain my opinion that it is purely Saxon, until a better definition can be given than that afforded by the Saxon Chronicle. It ought to be recollected, that the town was destroyed by the hostile incursions of the Saxons and Danes not less than five or six times, from the time of its foundation to nearly the period of the Norman Conquest; and that at each time it received a new name from the King who rebuilt it. Thus we are told by Rous, that Gutheline, a British King, founded Warwick in the Christian era, and called it CaerGuthleon, or the town of Gutheline; and that afterwards Gwdyr, another British King, named it Caer-Gwar, very probably a misprint for Gwdr, not Guarth, &c. Camden says, that 6 the British word Guarth signifies a fortified inclosure on a hill; and your Correspondent infers, that, by changing the Gu into W, which it appears was the custom of those times, that the word would be rendered Warththus Warth-wic instead of Guarth-wic -"the fortified hill-place." He, apparently, only alludes to the fortification-but I believe that it is generally understood that wyk means a town or village; and it should also be recollected, that when the British Kings rebuilt Warwick, they invariably added the word Caer, also signifying a town. Neither is it at all probable, that, if the Britons adopted the word Guarth, they would affix to it the Saxon termination wyk: they would naturally add the British word Caer, as before mentioned. Avon is derived from the British; and, I believe, it is generally allowed that, while many of the rivers still retain their British designations, the names of villages and hamlets are in most cases derived from the Saxon. The towns were pillaged and destroy ed, and others built in their stead, to which the conquerors gave definitions in their own language; nor, in their deadly animosity to the native inhabitants, would they retain a British name for one of their newly-erected towns. I shall, therefore, certainly prefer the authority of the Saxon Chronicle to the conjecture, however plausible, of Camden, who, it will be remembered, was one of those who imagined that Warwick was the Præsidium of the Romans, although no coins or other vestiges belonging to them were ever, I believe, found in or adjoining that town. There was a military station at Chesterton, only six miles distant, which renders it highly improbable that another should be established so near as Warwick. But humanum est errare. Your Correspondent must also excuse me from adopting the inflective word Warren; for, according to its present acceptation, it signifies a flat (not a hilly) inclosure or park; and thus appears not to be at all connected with the subject under discussion. 190 Warwick was, however, written Werburgewic, by Beorhtwulf, King of Mercia, about the year 850; and his charter, containing the word, is in the Textus Roffensis, (edit. Hearne,) p. 68. It appears also, by the Saxon Annals, that when England was divided into shires, the new county was written Wering-scyre. In Domesday Book it is written Warwic-scire. Shortly after the destruction of the town by the Danes, Ethelfleda, the heroic daughter of King Alfred, (who had previously married Ethelred, one of his Generals, who had been created the first Earl of Mercia, and who died in 912,) took this town under her protection. It is recorded, "that she retained and defended Mercia with the bravery of an experienced warrior. She fortified all her towns, constructed ramparts, and entrenched camps in the most advantageous situations. She defeated the Welsh, drove the Danes out of Derby and Leicester, and compelled many of their tribes to acknowledge her authority." In 913 she laid the foundation of a castle, on a rocky acclivity, on the northern bank of the Avon ; and also raised a steep and lofty mound of earth, on its western side. On this mound, which still exists, it is supposed that a fort was then erected. This noble and spirited woman died in 920. The distressed Saxons would naturally fly to this fortification for protection; and thus numerous dwellings, forming a village, or town, would speedily be erected in its contiguity. Here, I apprehend, we have the true meaning of the word Waringwic, as given in the Saxon Chronicle, viz. wæring, a mound, and wyk, a town. At a subsequent period, viz. 1086, it is stated in the Norman Survey, that the Burgh (which Spelman says, means a fortified town) contained 370 houses. Additions were also then made to the Castle; for of thirty-six houses, which belonged to the Benedictine Abbey of Coventry, four were destroyed, to enlarge its site, by Turchil the Vicecomes; and who was then ordered to surround the town (which must have considerably increased in extent) with a ditch, erect gates, and strengthen it with a wall, portions of which still exist. Having thus examined the etymology of the word in question, I am inclined to believe that a majority of MR. URBAN, Liverpool, Dec. 1. RESIDING for a short period in the vicinity of Conway, for the benefit of my health, after a severe illness, I beguiled a portion of that season in collecting the following notes relative to that truly ancient town. It is picturesquely situated near to the mouth of the river of that name. It is of a triangular form, and surrounded by lofty embattled walls, a mile and a quarter in circumference, which are strengthened by twenty-one semicircular towers, situated at each of the three entrances to the town. On a slate rock, forming the bank of the river, is situated the Castle, which, with a portion of the walls, seven towers and a gateway, form the base of the triangle, from which the ground rises considerably to the apex which is on the highest point. The town and Castle are seen to the greatest advantage from the opposite side of the river. They were erected in the year 1284, by Edward the First, as a secure palatial residence, under the superintendence of Henry de Elrington, to whose architectural skill the strong military Castle of Carnarvon, previously erected by Edward, to awe the natives of the principality, also does great credit. The river runs on the south and west sides of the castle, whose ichnography is that of a parallelogram, with a massive circular tower at each angle, forty feet in diameter, and two others of the same dimensions on each side, on the top of which are small machicolated watch towers, containing spiral staircases. At each end is a terrace, surrounded by embattled walls, with a round tower at the outer angles and between them. The principal entrance was by a drawbridge over a deep fosse at the north west angle of the castle, within the town. The bridge is defended by two round rowers, between which was a portcullis. These are connected with a curtain or embattled wall to the towers of the terrace, the ascent to which is by several steps, through another gateway guarded by a portcullis. From the terrace a larger gateway, with a portcullis, machicolated, opens into the outer court; on the south side of which was the great hall, vaulted underneath, whose dimensions were one hundred and thirty feet long, and thirty-two feet wide, and twentytwo in height. Its south side bows out, following the curvature of the rock on which it is built. The roof was vaulted of stone, strengthened and enriched by eight ribbed arches, springing from the walls of every bay. Four only of these now remain. It is lighted by six windows on the river side, and three into the court, within the deep recesses of which are seats wrought in the masonry; there is also a large bay window in the east end. At each side of the hall, and at the west end, there are fire-places; and in each of the angles, formed by their jambs, there is a bracket for the reception of either lights or ornaments. These are the earliest specimens of fire-places with flues that occur in great halls. Hitherto the fires were lighted in the centre of the floor, beneath a turret or louvre in the roof. This fine hall was only exceeded in size by that of Durham, with the exception of Westminster, the largest in England. When King Edward, accompanied by his faithful Eleanor, visited this castle, its appearance must have been magnificent. It is extremely probable that at the end of the hall, behind the dais or high table raised on a platform, was the standing cupboard, covered with massive plate, above which was the large bay window, filled with stained glass, representing armorial bearings, and other devices, in the most splendid and gorgeous colours. In front most likelywas set the King's seat, with a reredoss and canopy covered with tapestry, and tables and benches for the household were arranged down each side of the hall. The seats in the recesses of the windows would have cushions covered with embroidery, and the walls be either hung with tapestry or wainscoated in oak-paneling. In this court, at the east end, there is a well 15 feet in diameter, and twenty deep. The wall which separates the inner from the outer court is ten and a half feet thick, whilst the outer walls are from twelve to fifteen. On the outside of the inner wall there is a small room for a sentinel, lighted by a loop into the outer court, and commanding a view of the great gate. On the side of this room there is a passage into the inner court. On the south side of the court, adjoining the hall, there is a spacious apartment, twentynine feet by twenty-two, a portion of the arched roof of which still remains. It has a bay window looking into the court. This chamber was called the withdrawing room, whence our modern drawing room." Here the King received his guests before dinner, and retired to after. It walls were probably adorned with tapestry, and the seats with embroidered cushions. 66 The massive tower at this angle of the building, had the name of the King's Tower: it consisted of two stories and a ground floor. The upper story was the King's Bedchamber, and the one below the private sitting room, from which a vaulted passage in the thickness of the outer wall communicated with the Queen's private room in the large tower at the other angle of the building, called the Queen's Tower. The Queen's private room, or bower as it was then styled, answering the same purposes as the modern boudoir, was the most elegant apartment in the castle. Besides the circular room, which is eighteen feet and a half in diameter, there are two small oblong rooms, which have stone seats around them, the windows of which look towards the river. Between the doorways of these rooms is the opening of the oriel or bower, ten feet wide, beneath a pointed arch, the entire height of the room. Its form is an irregular semioctagon, the sides of which are divided into seven compartments; two of them are on each side of those portions which are at right angles with the opening, and one on each of the other side. Its walls are divided into two heights of paneling, and the roof arched. The lower series of panels are five and a half feet high, and are sunk to the depth of fif The teen inches, with seats within. heads of these arches are trefoiled. Those above are plain; three of which, in the centre towards the river, are open to serve as windows. Between these panels, slender columns run up to the spring of the upper series of arches, from which ribs cross the vaulted roof. On each side there is a small square aperture, opening into the rooms already described. The tower on the south side next to the hall was the keep, and a passage led through it to the top of the walls. At the east end a door opened to the garden terrace, from which there was a communication with the river by means of a narrow flight of winding steps cut out of the rock, and protected by a curtain and hanging tower, which projected some distance into the river; and had a round tower at its extremity to prevent the approach of an enemy at ebb tide. This garden was sufficiently protected by its embattled walls and towers, that its walks could be enjoyed with safety, though the district around might be hostile. It commands a fine view of the surrounding scenery. The walls on the east of the town present seven semicircular towers, and a portal called the small gate or Porth y Castle. There is also the lower or water-gate, called Porth Issa, with a tower on each side. From the northern extremity of the wall a curtain, embattled on each side, runs seventy yards into the river, and was terminated by a strong tower. Through this curtain was a gateway, called Porth yr Advor. The next entrance to the town is on the west; and is called the Upper Gate, or Porth Ucha: it was protected by two towers and a drawbridge, over a deep and wide moat, which surrounded the town, except on the river side. The next entrance was on the south. It was called the Mill Gate, or Porth y Felin, as it led to the salt-water mill, and was defended at the other by two towers. One of the towers on this side has a wall built within it, and contained some spacious apartments: it is called Llywellyn's Tower. In the wall immediately adjoining them are three windows, which there can be little doubt lighted some apartments. Such would be the appearance of the castle and walls in 1290, when Edward kept his Christmas here, and in 1301, when he received the homage of the barons and lords, after quieting an insurrection of the Welsh, and the Prince of Wales (afterwards Edward II.) received the homage of Eineon bishop of Bangor, and of David abbat of Meanon. One of the last monarchs who entered these walls, was the unfortunate Richard, when, in 1399, on arriving at Caermarthen from Ireland, and finding the Welsh army, under the command of the Earl of Salisbury, to be disbanded, he came here, considering the castle as impregnable. Finding, however, that it was unprovided with stores, and being deserted by most of his followers, he threw himself upon the generosity of his enemy. The Duke of Lancaster, who was then at Flint Castle, sent the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Percy, Earl of Northumberland, (both of them sworn enemies of the King) to treat with him. They solemnly assured the King, that the Duke only wished his alienated property to be restored, and the ancient privileges of parliament to be confirmed. The King appearing to distrust the Earl's professed good intentions, the latter, to remove all suspicion, attended at high mass in the chapel of the castle and vowed fidelity, swearing allegiance to his sovereign at the altar. Caught in this wily and iniquitous snare, the King accompanied them out of the castle; and when he arrived at Penmanlhos, now Gurch Castle, perceiving a band of soldiers with Percy banners, he found he was betrayed. He was conveyed as a prisoner to Flint Castle, and delivered into the hands of the Duke of Lancaster, from which occurrence sprung the disastrous civil wars between the houses of York and Lancaster. This once magnificent abode of royalty is now in a sad state of dilapidation, presenting a most picturesque ruin. The avarice of individuals has done more to destroy it than time itself. After the civil wars the Earl of Conway, in 1665, stript the castle of all the timber, iron, and lead, and reduced it to its present state. Some of the inhabitants of the town have not only resorted to it, but also to some parts of the walls, particularly near the Mill Gate, as a quarry of ready hewn stone; and the tower of the castle next to the King's, has been undermined in such a manner as to cause a large portion of the tower to fall down, and leave the upper part suspended in the air, whereby the massive thickness of its walls is fully exhibited to view. Whilst regretting the wanton ravages of man o'er this once magnificent pile, I exclaimed, with Ossian, "I have seen the walls of Conway, but they are desolate. The stream of Conway is removed from its place by the fall of the walls. The thistle shakes there its lonely head, the moss whistles to the wind-the rank grass of the wall waves round its head. "Desolate is the dwelling of the affectionate Edward and Eleanor, S1lence is in their house. They have but fallen before us; for one day we must fall. Why dost thou build the hall, son of the winged days? Thou lookest from thy tower to day; yet a few days and the blast of the desert comes-it howls in thy empty courts, and whistles round thy half-worn shield." Yours, &c. MR. URBAN, W. J. ROBERTS. HAVING the satisfaction to perceive that the slight sketch of the life of Thomas Hill, Esq. which I sent you, varies but little from the chief tenor of the accounts furnished by the press in general, I am desirous to add a few particulars which I then omitted, though not because they escaped my memory. However, they now appear to be more subservient to positive truth, than the tone (between jest and earnest) adopted by the periodicals of the day,-not that I wish to impugn either the taste or veracity of the writers, it being almost impossible to treat of so singular a character, in any but an interesting manner. In the first place, I left it to others to speak of the familiar epithet of Tommy Hill," which was so fixed upon him that you might speak of Mr. Hill, as of a total stranger to those who perfectly well knew Tommy Hill of the Adelphi. This appellation I presume he must have gained from the peculiar gossiping tone of inquisitiveness which he everywhere assumed? His manner of coming at a desired piece of information was so |