leads to the southward for eight miles across a fine flat, but little cultivated, to another town of modern date, called Centruenigo, seated in the centre of a circle, four miles in diameter, occupied towards the circumference by fine vine yards, and round the town by valuable olive-grounds, laid out and kept with perfect order: the trees are planted in rows, quincunx-fashion, with channels between them for conveying water to their roots, from a small river rising in the hills to the southward, and carried round the town, in various ramifications, for the purposes of cultivation. These vineyards and olive-grounds give an air of prosperity to the town, and present a most agreeable object to the eye, fatigued with beholding scorched open plains extending in all directions, almost destitute of trees or verdure. From Centruenigo, the road continues south-west across the cultivated circle, and entering a narrow vale between low Inlls, covered with good natural pasture, at the end of a league and a half, brings the traveller to the boundary between Navarre and Old Castille. Here the hills begin to increase in height with a rug ged barren appearance; the road was now rough and disagreeable, whereas to this boundary, all the way from Pampelona, it had been perfectly well made, and kept in excellent condition. It has been measured, and stones have been erected at the end of every league, reckoned from Pampelona. The league used in measuring this road, differs from those generally employed in Spain, and seems to have been capriciously adopted from France; for each contained 3,200 toises of 2 varas, or 6 feet Spanish; whereas, those used in Spain are the common league of an hour's journey, of which 20, are a degree of the equator, or nearly equal to 34 English miles; and the legal league of Castille of 5,000 varas or yards, each, of which 261 are a degree. After travelling on very indifferent roads over a high barren tract, thinly inhabited by a mean-looking dispirited race of people, and in some parts cultivated in a rude and slovenly manner, (the whole forming a striking contrast with the lively and industrious appearance of Navarre), the day's journey ended in Agreda. This is a decayed town, seated in a hollow on a small river running northeast to the Ebro, on the west skirt of Moncayo, anciently Mons Caunus, a Ligh conical mountain, soaring far above MONTHLY MAG., No. 167, all the surrounding summits, and covered with snow a great part of the year: its lower parts are clothed with fine pasture for sheep, the middle with woods, and the top is rocky and bare. As there were a couple of hours of day-light to spare, they were employed in an excursion to Muro, a village about four miles south-west from Agreda, supposed to stand on the site of the ancient Augustobriga. It is placed on the flat summit of a small eminence, separated by a narrow gully from other similar eminences on the north, but subsiding easily, on the other quarters, into a valley and plain- The only vestiges of antiquity now to be observed at Muro, are foundations of walls, hewn stones, bricks, coins, Roman and old Spanish; and, on the highest part of the eminence, is a large square tower of the architecture of the middle ages. On each side, east and west, of Muro, are to be seen vestiges of an old road, called here, as in general over Spain, the Military Way, (La via Militar), by which is meant the ancient Roman road. It is raised above the surface of the ground, and on account of the very uneven country over which it passes, is seldom traced out in straight lines, (as was the practice of the Romans, where such a line could be followed) but winds along agreeably to the natural bendings and acclivities of the hills. This is part of the great road, extending from Tarragona on the Mediterranean, through Saragossa, Numantia, &c. to the Atlantic on the coast of Portugal. Corvalan, in his History of the Bishopric of Osma, published in 1788, says he measured many portions of this Via, and found the breadth to be 5 varas, or about 13 feet, 9 inches, English; that it was composed of small stones, gravel, and mortar, being rounded into the segment of a large circle on the surface, to throw off the rain water, and bordered on each side by a row of large stones; he discovered in several places, between Agreda, and the supposed situation of Numantia, several round milestones, but without any inscription; some still in their original situations along the Way. From Agreda, to arrive at Numantia, the road leads in general, to the northward of west, over a hilly tract, much wooded, to a small village, called Aldea del Pozo, a name compounded of one Latin and two Arabic words; Al, the, deah, village, and puteus, well. The dis D tance tance is called four leagues, but they required five hours travelling. Here are more vestiges of the Roman Way, and sepulchral and other inscriptions have been found in the villages. Hence, for two leagues more, the same hilly uncultivated country extends, until the road begins to descend towards a plain tract, well peopled and in general culture, but open and without wood, about two leagues broad to the river Duero, rushing briskly in a straight channel, from north to south, between steep banks on the cast side, and a range of low hills on the west. Over the Duero, is a stone bridge of fourteen spacious arches, on the middle of which stands a lotty tower to command the passage, all of ancient and excellent workmanship: at the end of the bridge is a small valley, which, with the high ground on each hand, contains the town of Soria. This town consists, at present, of a long street running up this hollow, or valley, and a few other short streets at the upper end. The town has been surrounded with strong lofty stone walls carried along the summits of the high ground, on the north, west, and south sides; the east side being covered by the river. At the east end of the south walls are considerable remains of the caftle, completely commanding the bridge and the river, which can no where be forded near the town from its body of water and its rapidity, excepting after a long course of dry weather in autumn, and even then with difficulty. It appears, by papers preserved in Soria, that these walls and towers were not finished in 1290; and, the foundation of the town itself can be traced back only to the time of Alphonso the warrior, king of Arragon, in 1122. The walls are still very entire, and are fortified with towers at proper distances, battlements, loop-holes, and other contrivances suited to the art of war, prior to the use of fire-arms. The circuit of the walls is above two English miles, and might contain towards thirty thousand inhabitants; but the present population does not, perhaps, amount to one third of that number; the greater part of the inclosed space, being, either filled with ruins, or converted into gardens. About three miles north from Soria, up the west or right bank of the Duero, is the bridge of Garray, leading over to a village of that naine, situated close to the river, and on the skirt of an emi nence, or low hill, extending down along the east side of the Duero, to a small river, called the Merdacho, flowing through a flat marshy plain. On the east side, the hill is separated by a narrow valley, from another eminence of much less extent; and on the north, the slope disappears gradually in a plain, extending for several miles to the northeast, north, and north-west. This hill is of an oval form, its length being from north to south. The circuit of the level on the top is about four hundred yards; but, that of the whole summit, including a portion of the gently sloping sides, towards the north and east, is about three thousand five hundred yards. The distance up from the Duero, on the middle of the west side, which is both steep and rocky, to the center of the top, is about four hundred and fifty yards. The Duero renders this position quite inaccessible along its length, or west side, and the little river falling into the Duero at the south end of the hill, equally cuts off all access on that side, as it flows through a flat valley where it stagnates; and, were it not for the pains taken by the neighbouring farmers, to clear its channel, would soon render the whole valley an impracticable marsh, or lake. The slope is not very steep, down to the valley separating this hill from that on the east; and, on the north end the fall down to the great plain, is very gradual and on a considerable front. The ground on the west side of the Duero, and the south of the Merdacho, is at first lower than the hill in question, but within a mile of it, rises to an equal height. On the hill, or eminence, now described, Numantia is, with great reason, believed to have stood. The first notice we find, of Numantia, is about the year 573 of Rome, or 179 years A. C. when Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus subdued the Celtiberians, and made a treaty with the Numantines (although comprehended under the general name of Celtiberians) by which they retained their independence on the Romans. This treaty was neither acceptable to, nor observed by, the suc cessors of Gracchus; the Numantines nevertheless, for the space of forty-seven years, not only maintained themselves against mighty Roman armies, commanded by the most experienced generals, but often inflicted the severest disasters on their unrelenting foes, until the year of Rome, 620, when the great great Scipio himself, the conqueror of Carthage, was sent to Numantia, and, after a long siege, reduced the unhappy Numantines, with their own hands to put an utter end to their name and nation. The country, known by the general name of Celtiberia, from the Celts, who, out of Gaul, established themselves on both sides of the river Iberus, now the Ebro, comprehended several small states which still retained, and are mentioned in history by their original names; such were the Arevaci, who inhabited the tract included in the bishopric of Osma, and other adjoining lands on the south side of the Duero: within the bounds of these Arevaci, towards the north-east lay a small tribe, called the Pelendones, whose towns, according to Pliny, were Visontium, Augustobriga, Savia, and Numantia. The three first are also mentioned, by Ptolemy, as belonging to the Pelendones, but Numantia he places among the Arevaci, to whom, in fact, the whole district of the Pelendones belonged. Again Strabo says, the river Duero, or Ďurius, or Dorias, flowed through the territory of both these nations; to which Pliny adds, that it took its rise among the Pelendones, and flowing by Numantia, traversed the country of the Arevaci, &c. We have hence a sure guide to lead us to that celebrated town; for the great river Duero rises in the heart of a lofty range of mountains stretching east and west between the diocese of Burgos on the north, and that of Osma on the south. This range, now called Sierre de Urbion, is part of the ancient Distercian mountains; high up towards their summit, is a small lake surrounded with precipices, and of vast depth; the water is clear and sweet, having, in the middle, a rapid whirlpool which swallows up every thing that approaches it. This lake, or pool, has no visible discharge, but about twenty paces lower down the hill, a considerable spring bursts out, which is considered as the source of the Duero, This stream is so much increased in the course of six or seven leagues, that is to say, at the village of Garray, at the foot of the hill of Numantia, as to require a bridge of no less than sixteen spacious arches; and even those on many occasions are not sufficient to give a free passage to the waters, and prevent them from inundating the neighbouring low grounds, Just above this bridge, the Duero receives the waters of the Tera, itself a considerable stream, and then hurrying along the west side of the hill of Numantia, receives the Mardacho, passes on the east side of Soria, as far as Almarail, in a course due south from Numantia, of six leagues; here it bends due west, and after another stretch of one hundred leagues discharges itself into the Atlantic, below Oporto, in Portugal. Another proof of the position of Numantia on the hill at Garray is drawn from the Roman Itinerary of Antoninus; which, in reciting the several towns situated on the great road, leading from Asturica now Astorga, to Cæsaraugusta, now Saragossa, mentions Numantia as the ninth in order, at the distance of fifty miles, from Uxama, whose ruins are still visible near Osina, and of twenty-three miles from Augustobriga, whose position, as was already noticed, seeins to have been at Muro, near Agreda. These distances coincide very accurately with the road estimated at this day; and, both on the west and east sides of Numantia are to be seen considerable portions of the ancient via. The whole distance from Numantia, by this itine rary, to Cæsaraugusta, is 95 miles, corresponding sufficiently well with the 800 stadii, or 100 Roman miles, given in round numbers, by Strabo. Respecting this Itinerary, from Asturica to Caesaraugusta, it is proper to observe, that there is an evident error in the title, which describes the road as passing through Cantabria, a tract lying on the coast of the Bay of Biscay towards the port, called Santandero; instead of Celtiberia. This error is accounted for by Florez, in his Ecclesiastical History of Spain, (España Sagrada) by supposing the word to have been contracted in the manuscripts into C. T. B. R. letters common to both names. From the bridge of Garray, where the Duero touches the hill of Numantia, all along its extent, the river flows rapidly over a rocky bottom, so as to be impassable, especially when the snow begins to melt in the mountains where it rises, some of which are covered all the year round. In going up from the brink of the river to the summit of the hill, are to be seen three parallel banks, or mounds, of stone running round the slope over the river, and at such distances as to allow the ground in their intervals to be plowed and sown. These mounds, or ramparts, are composed of such stones as have been collected collected from the bed of the river, being rounded and smooth; but of the largest size; and in some places there are appearances of their probably having been connected with mortar. These mounds are not visible quite round the hill, but only where the slope is too steep to allow it to be brought into cultivation; besides that the materials in other parts may may have been removed at different periods for other purposes. On the plain summit of the hill are still seen foundations of walls running in various directions, seemingly forming houses, streets, &c. and composed of rough undressed stone, without lime, or mortar. Besides these vestiges, all over the summit are found broken tiles, pottery, cinders, bricks, &e; and in the centre still called by the country people the Plaza, (square, or market-place), is observed even with the ground, a piece of wall five feet broad, and sixty-four feet long, terminating in corners well formed of stone and lime. In digging on this summit, quantities of regular hewn stone are found, many of which have been removed and employed in building houses, walls, &c. in the neighbourhood. These are all sand stone, and have been dressed only with the pick and hatchet. In the village of Garray, are also to be seen water-troughs, fragments of columns, bases and capitals of rude grotesque shape and workmanship; many of them built up in walls; and all brought down from the hill of Numantia. As the surface is in constant culture, where the foundations permit, many coins are still discovered; a few of these are Roman, but the greater number are of that sort commonly called Medallas desconocidas, (unknown coins) and generally believed to be Celtiberic. About twenty years ago were found on the same hill, a mass of silver and another of copper, or brass, which had evidently been melted down. On the slope of the hill at the northwest corner, going up from the bridge of Garray, is a chapel much resorted to on account of the relics of certain martyrs there preserved, and bearing the date in very rude characters, of 1231. In the walls of this chapel are several Roman inscriptions, such as one erected by Modestus a freedman, to his master Heudemius; and fragments of many others, in which the sculptor's ignorance of the Roman letters is very evident, are to be met with, scattered up and down the village of Garray, and its environs, (To be continued.) To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. IN SIR, N addition to the revolution which Mr. Davy's late important experiments on the alkalis will probably effect in the science of chemistry, may we not also regard them as an introduction to a greater change in the world of fashion? For the power of his galvanic troughs appears so wonderful, that we must not despair of his decomposing even the protoxide of carbon; or in other words, we may expect that he will be able to make diamonds. Yet probably at most he could only succeed in forming diamond dust, as the diamonds at present so much in request are crystallized carbon. If this supposition be deemed visionary, I hope the following will meet with a kinder reception. Is it not likely that the alkaline base possesses great power over the animal frame? Might it not su persede the use of mercury in venereal cases? Indeed it appears to me, that mercury owes its influence to the great similarity, which it bears to this substance, existing as a component part of the soda in the semen. Neither is it rash to affirm that this metallic base might probably be administered with success in the gravel, &c. where soap is frequently found to be beneficial. Your's, &c. E. B. For the Monthly Magazine. PRESBYTERIAN DISSENTERS at HINCK- HE ENRY WATTS, of Sidney college, Cambridge, took his degree of M.A. in 1651; was presented to the rectory of Swepston, in the county of Leicester, by the parliamentary committee of sequestrators, on their dispossessing the Rev. Francis Standish from that living, who with his wife and children were turned out of the parsonage house, and was reduced to great straights. He died before the restoration. Mr. Watts, it appears, was not in possession of a permanent situation; for in 1662, he was ejected from Swepston, having several children, and removed to Weddington, a little village in Warwickshire, where he lived about twenty years; and at length removed from thence to Barwell, in Leicestershire. A legal toleration being granted to the dissenters, he, at the request of many inhabitants, preached publicly at the neighbouring market-town of 1808.] Account of the Establishment of Presbyterians at Hinckley. 21 of Hinckley, on the Sunday in the afternoon; and was well pleased with the opportunity of exercising his ministry. He had many hearers, to whom he constantly preached. He settled a serious congregation of christians, among whom he bestowed his labours without any acknow ledgment from them, except a few inconsiderable presents, and continued to preside over them till he was removed by death, February 2, 1690, in the sixtythird year of his age. He was buried in the church at Barwell, and his funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. Thomas Paget, rector of that parish, who gave a very excellent character of him; mentioning amongst other things, "his obliging temper and gentlemanly behaviour; his great friendliness, and usefulness in reconciling differences, to the saving great expences in law; his exemplariness in relative duties, and particularly in the management of his family, which was attended with a remarkable blessing from Heaven; his great moderation and charity, which recommended him to the gentlemen in the neighbourhood, who treated him with great respect; signifying withal, that he was such a religious, conscientious, useful person, that not only his numerous family, but the public also, had a great loss by his decease." Many wondered at his nonconformity, considering his increasing family; but that was not the least temptation to him, to act contrary to the dictates of his own conscience, though he had good preferment in the church offered him. He trusted Providence; and God remarkably blessed and prospered him. Ten of his thirteen children lived to be men and women, whom he educated in a manner consistent with his character, and comfortably provided for their subsistance in the world. Mr. Watts, was the first regular presbyterian minister at Hinckley. His successor was Mr. John Sowthall, who died December the 9th, 1705, aged thirtyeight years, and was buried on the 12th of December, in the south-aile of Hinckley church; and his wife Mrs. Anne Sowthall, departed this life February 4th, 1709, aged forty. The next in succession was Mr. William Bilby in 1706, who continued with them till January, 1722; and as this was before the building of the present meeting-house, their assembly was at that time held in a part of the minister's dwellinghouse. The next in order was the Rev. John Jennings, M.A. who was a gentleman of great learning, piety, and usefulness. He first succeeded his father in the care of his dissenting congregation at Kibworth, where he also opened an academy for training up young men to the ministry; a work for which he was exceedingly well qualified. In March, 1722, Mr. Jennings left Kibworth, and removed to Hinckley, where he continued to preside over his academy, and was pastor of the congregation till his death; for, taking an occasional journey to London, in June, 1723, he caught the small-pox, and died on his return to Hinckley, July 8th, 1723. The presbyterian or old meeting-house, which is a large and good building, was built in 1722, under the auspices of Mr. Jennings, and, which is different from what is observable in other erections of the same kind, there are, as it were, behind the pulpit, and to the right and left of it, two small galleries, or rather boxes, not unlike those of a playhouse, which were purposely designed for his pupils, who subscribed five pounds fifteen shil lings and sixpence towards the building. In 1725, Mr. Jennings published Two Discourses: the first, Of Preaching Christ; the second, Of particular and experi mental preaching; with a preface by the Rev. Mr. Isaac Watts. These Discourses are said to have been so highly thought of at the time as to have been recommended by two bishops at their visitations of their clergy, and translated also into the German language by the or der of the divinity professor at Halle, in Saxony; as weil as to be printed a second time in 1736. Mr. Jennings published also, A Genealogical Table of the Kings of England, for the space of nine hundred years. His funeral sermon was preached by Mr. Norris, of Welford, from John V. $5. "He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light;" words, which were thought to have a striking propriety in them when applied both to him and his people. Among Mr. Jennings's pupils were several young men, who afterwards distinguished themselves for their learning and usefulness; who did honour to their tutor, and were an ornament to the dissenting ministry. one of Dr. Philip Doddridge was them, who succeeded Mr. Jennings in the direction of the academy, and always spoke of his tutor with the highest respect and veneration. The first sermon Mr. Doddridge ever preached, was at Hinckley on the 22d of July, 1722. Mr. Jennings |