THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE. JANUARY, 1824. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. CARL LOFTS AT SHAP, WESTMORELAND, Mr. URBAN, Rosegill, Jan. 12. Aof antiquity called Carl Lofts, T Shap is a stupendous monument i.e."the liftings of the Ceorles or hus bandmen." It is composed of two rows of large stones of unhewn granite, from six to twelve feet in diameter. The form is a gentle curve, or something like the head of a well-formed mason's liammer. It commences about half a mile south of the town, and runs parallel with the Kendal road, on the east side, for about three quarters of a mile, when it turns off in a north-west direction for about the length of a mile; that is, making its whole length about a mile and three quarters, or perhaps about three thou sand yards. At the south end, about twenty yards from the south-west corner, on the outside of the stones, was a small tumulus, which, since the inclosure of Shap common in 1815, is now levelled and destroyed. When this tumulus was opened into, it was found to be composed of granite and cobble stone: as the strata of stone here is lime-stone, the granite must have been gathered on the surrounding surface, and the cobble must have been brought from some distance. At about the distance of 100 yards from the turn at the south end, on the outside, was a circle about eighteen feet in diameter of similar stones, each about one yard and a half in diameter, and in the centre thereof was one about one yard and a half high from the surface of the ground that tapered to a point. This has also been destroyed since the inclosure of the common. The distance of the stones in the lines was eight, ten, or twelve yards; but at the turn at the south end, which remains perfect, they are something nearer, being from three to eight yards. The distance between each line at the south end is eighty nine feet. This distance seems gradually to have dimi nished about one yard in every hundred, law. till it came to a wedge-like point at the north end, near to the field called SkelIn this field called Skellaw, which signifies "the hill of the skulls," is a small tumulus on an eminence, which no doubt is connected with the monument, though it deviates about 190 yards to the north-east from the last stone now remaining; but it is highly probable the stones were continued a little further northward; this deviation, however, may be accounted for from the eligibility of the situation for prospect, as from this spot the tumulus at the south end could be seen, and nearly the whole line of the monument. A few years ago a countryman wanting stones for the highway, dug into this tumulus, thinking to find stone; but not finding the appearance of any, he soon desisted. In his attempt, however, he found human bones. When the antiquary now views the remains of this remarkable monument, he cannot but regret at what, perhaps, he may call the barbarous treatment it has met with. The southern end, which extended about half a mile on the common, had both rows tolerably perfect till the inclosure of the common in 1815; since then these stones have nearly all been blasted and removed into the walls, excepting fourteen, which compose the turn at the south end, which are on a plot of land allot, ed to the Earl of Lonsdale, and which he has given orders to be preserved. The northern end, for nearly the length of a mile, lying among old inclosed and arable land, had generally been removed at former periods before the recollection of any person now living. There are, however, four on a piece of land, which cannot be tilled for limestone rock, which seem to form the terminating point, or at least a part of it, at the north end. They are respectively 11, 25, and 20 yards distant from each other. Probably two may have been removed Carl Lofts at Shap, Westmoreland. removed from among these, as the two latter distances seem to admit of such a supposition. Between these four and the fourteen at the south end, only fifteen now remain in their original position. They are left here and there, and serve as a sort of guide to trace the course of the monument. The blasted and broken fragments of the others may be seen in the walls adjoining. One of the most prominent that remains, is called Guggleby stone, which formed part of the west line, and stands on its small end near the footpath leading to the village of Keld; it is eight feet high and 37 feet in girth at its middle. The stone next remaining north of it, which formed part of the east line, is about 13 feet long, and six feet in diameter; but it is a different kind of stone to all the rest; this is basalt or whinstone, and all the others are granite. This stone probably once was placed upon its end; for one end seems to have been squared with a chisel, and it has the appearance of having been overturned by digging limestone from beneath it. In the middle of the part squared is a hole four inches over, and two inches deep; about two feet therefrom, on a sloping corner, is another hole of about the same size. On one of the corners at the other end is a rude circle, eight inches across, and a shallow hole in the centre. By minute examination, other inscriptions of this kind, perhaps, might be found here, as on the obelisks at Aubrey described by Dr. Stukeley. These masses of granite were, no doubt, originally from Wastdale, which is about two miles from the south end of the monument: for here a bed of similar granite is found, the only bed I believe in Westmoreland. It is remarkable that, for the distance of three miles eastward from the low end of Wastdale, an immense quantity of rounded worn-like granite stones of all sizes, up to four yards in diameter, are found scattered over the face of the country to the above distance or further, which is wholly of a limestone and freestone strata. They seem to be spread in a fan-like form from Wastdale, and are more thinly scattered, and also of smaller size, as the distance increases. These primary stones being found on the surface of secondary ones, demonstrate that they have thus been thrown by some convulsion in nature of which [Jan. we have no record; or, according to Professor Buckland, in his Reliquiæ Diluvianæ on similar appearances, they have thus been transported and drifted by a diluvial current. He, indeed, supposes, that a diluvial current is the only adequate cause that can account for these appearances. See also Edin. Rev. for Oct. 1823, No. 77. Whether the stones which composed the Carl Lofts were brought direct from Wastdale, or whether they were gathered from among the scattered ones, can only now be matter of conjecture; but probably they were some of the scattered ones; as they might be found nearer for carriage and already detached. But how such immense blocks (several being from 3 to 4 yards in diameter) could be carried and placed in the regular manner they were, it is difficult to form an idea. "That this monument was Danish, may be inferred from the custom of the northern nations of arranging their recording stones in forms that they seemed to determine should be expressive of certain events; those that were placed in a straight and long order commemorated the emulations of champions: squares shewed equestrian conflicts: circles the interments of families: wedge-shaped a fortunate victory." Pennant agrees in this opinion, and supposes that "success might have attended the northern invaders in this place, which gave rise to their long arrangement." Hence, if this be correct, they have been placed here between eight or nine hundred years. Dr. Burn in his History of Westmoreland, says, "undoubtedly this hath been a place of Druid worship, which they always performed in the open air within this kind of inclosure, shaded with wood, as this place of old time appears to have been, although there is now scarce a tree to be seen, (Shap Thorn only excepted, planted on the top of a hill for the direction of travellers). At the high end of this place of worship, there is a circle of the like stones about 18 feet in diameter, which was their sanctum sanctorum, as it were, and place of sacrifice." But Dr. Burn seems only to have taken a limited view of the monument. He only speaks of the south end upon the com Olaus Magnus de Gent. Septentr. 1. 1. + Pennant's Northern Tour, i. 297. c. 18. mon, 1824.] Roman Camp, Islington.—London Wall.-Antient Ship. mon, which was perfect in his day, and does not appear to have traced its extent northward through the old inclosed land. That so extensive a space as is here occupied should have any reference to a place of worship, seems hardly probable. That it was to commeniorate some event, and probably a victory, appears more likely, and the name of Skellaw, i. e. the Hill of Skulls, strengthens the conjecture. Mr. URBAN, T GEORGE HALL. Jan. 16. O what E. G. B. has communicated in page 489 of your Magazine for December last, permit me to add, that the Roman Camp at Isling ton is situated in what has been called Siz Acre Field, laying a little Southwest of the new buildings called Barnsbury Park. This spot I have heard was noticed as the site of a Roman Camp by Herman Moll, the geographer. A visit to this place suggested some verses of mine, which I think you published as long since as 1787. These contained a reference to the conquest of this island by the Romans, thus: "Yet shall each vestige proud of arms remain, [ed field, The cumbrous mound, the trench, indentTill, in her turn, o'er Rome shall Albion reign, [shield." And cover nations with her sun-broad But though this was merely a poetic flight, and by no means meant as a prediction, yet in the course of the late revolutionary war, viz. in 1799, Rome was not only surrendered to a British commander, Captain Trowbridge, who appeared off the mouth of the Tiber with an English squadron; but this event was commemorated by medals struck some time after, with a motto, expressing "Rome saved by British thunder.” And that Britain subsequently covered nations with her sun-broad shield, is as evident as the shining of the Sun itself. Having lately heard it asserted, that a part of old London Wall, running in an Easterly and Westerly direction, behind the houses in Little Britain and Giltspur-street, had been taken down, I procured admission into the vacant ground belonging to Christ's Hospital, occupying the space between the old Library and the new Infirmary See our Review, p. 57. ૐ lately erected for the boys; but on inspection, these remains did not appear to me to have run in a direct line with that portion of London Wall that still backs the houses in Bull and Mouthstreet, and forms part of the boundary of St. Botolph's Church-yard. Besides, the materials of the ruined wall within the Hospital have not that mixture of brick, &c. that appears in old London Wall; I was therefore inclined to conclude that the remains in question belonged to the convent of the Grey Friars, which stood on this ground; especially as the line of wall continued would have intersected the site of Giltspur-street Compter, and terminated nearly opposite St. Sepulchre's Church, perhaps many feet out of the line of the old gate of Newgate, both North and West. Close to this wall, I find also that the greatest part of the refectory belonging to the Grey Friars, remained nearly entire within these five years, the oaken rafters of which are still piled up near the spot. Perhaps the library erected by Sir Richard Whittington in 1429, will soon be the only external vestige of this oncecelebrated convent, the burial-place of four Queens and a number of the English nobility. Yours, &c. W. HAMILTON REID. Mr. URBAN, Jan. 20. is difficult to account for the apa thy with which many interesting subjects are treated by the antiquarian world, when others, comparatively trifling and unimportant, so frequently engage its attention, and employ its talent almost exclusively. In the Waterloo-bridge road has been long exhibited an ancient Ship, which was discovered, about eighteen months since, in the deserted bed of a branch of the Rother, in Kent. At the time of its discovery it was noticed into oblivion. in the daily Papers, but has since sunk Whatever may be its age, whether it is Danish, or Roman, or Flemish, it bears sufficient marks than it has hitherto received. of antiquity to entitle it to more notice I do not myself profess to give any opinion on its age, but wish to draw the attention of some of your Correspondents, who are more competent to form an opinion, to this piece of antiquity, before it is broken up and consigned to the flames-a fate which it will shortly, I have reason to think, experience. The 6 Antient Ship.-Golden Rod.-Oriel. The head and stern are both round, and, what is extraordinary, the rudder is worked by ropes instead of a tiller, as modern vessels are; and from this circumstance, and a passage in the account of St. Paul's shipwreck (Acts xxvii. ver. 40, "they loosed the rudder bands,") a conjecture as to its high antiquity is raised. It is flat-bottomed, but presents in its present state no signs of having been impelled by oars; it had a single mast, but was, I think, destitute of a deck, except at the extremities. At the stern is a cabin with a covering, or canopy, like modern barges. But what speaks most forcibly against its claim to very high antiquity is, the circumstance of two circular, pieces of lead, of about three inches diameter, being nailed to the sides of the vessel. One was destroyed in getting her out of the sand, the other was purloined by some selfish and dishonest visitor; this latter one was perfect, and had on it, according to a fac simile to be seen in the exhibition room, the letters pi; the reason of affixing these plates (which when the vessel floated must have been under water) is worth enquiry. In the vessel was found a piece of plank, with some rude characters cut upon it, which I confess appear to me to be nothing more than the numerals ruiiii; this circumstance, however, with that of the let ters on the outside, lead us to an æra much more recent than that to which the vessel is ascribed. Some perfect vessels of pottery ware, found in her, are curious; three specimens have a Roman character, and a fourth (a jug) is as decidedly modern in its appearance as those which may be seen in any country ale-house, and are common in Dutch paintings. Two specimens of tesselated pavement much resemble the tiles found in our cathedrals. One is a neat design, consisting of a star, containing within it a circle surrounding a rude cross. The handle of a dagger was also found, and some other articles well worthy of consideration, among which are some animal remains, consisting of the skulls of two human subjects, a greyhound and two goats, with other bones. One of the skulls is well preserved, and is a fine specimen; the temples are very prominent. With the numerous articles found in the vessel to guide the research, I am the more surprised that no anato [Jan. mist has advanced a conjecture as to what country the skull belonged, which would so materially assist the enquiry. into the age of the vessel; and that no Antiquary has thought proper to investigate the age of an object which, according to the most recent date, must be about five hundred years old, and which is rendered the more curious from its perfect state of preservation, it being sufficiently sound, when first discovered, to admit of its being floated, and the timbers still adhering firmly together. Such a curiosity is not to be met with every day, and the silence, therefore, of the Learned on this head is inexcusable. E.I.C. I Mr. URBAN, Muirtown, Jan.16. SEND a slight notice of a very great curiosity, this week ploughed up within a few miles of Inverness, où the estate of Colonel Baillie, of Leys, M. P. It is a rod of the purest native gold, having three sides, and a hook at the end; fifteen inches long; weighing above an ounce, and for which Mr. M'Naughten, the jeweller, in Inverness, paid the value of the gold, 47. 12s. There is a piece of three inches long, with another hook broken off, which makes the whole eighteen inches long. The workmanship is that of the rudest ages, and the spiral work evidently done by twisting. That this must have been in its day a piece of royal or clerical magnificence can admit of no doubt; its use may have various opinions; it appears to me to have been the rod upon which a lamp has been suspended, either before some shrine, or very possibly at the table of Macbeth or King Duncan. In its day of use, such a piece of gold must have been very valuable indeed. H.R.D. 1824.] Oriel.-Antient Fairs.-Colonial Population. The Lady herde his mournying all, On eche syde had there a gynne, And wyd the windowes she open set; From the "Legend of the Earl of Tolous," GLOSSARIAL NOTE. Oryall, vol. iii. p. 149, Oryall-side 106. "The word ORIEL, which has various significations, seems, in both these instances, to imply a recess in a chamber, hall, or chapel, formed by the projection of a spacious bay (corruptly bow) window, from top to bottom, occasionally, it would seem, ornamented with painted glass, illuminated by the rays of the sun. This kind of window is still to be seen in ancient halls and the inas of court, and hence, it is probable, the name of Oriel College. It should be noticed, at the same time, that the ALDER, by the compiler of the Promptorium Parvulorum (Harleian MS. 221), is also called the 'ORTELL TRE"." Mr. URBAN, Jan. 18. N Madox's "History of the Exchequer," p. 366, it is recorded that 20. was allowed (18 Hen. II.) to Aylward the King's Chamberlain, to Lay a robe for the young King at Winchester fair. Henry, the son of King Henry II., was crowned the second time with his wife at Winchester, on the 27th of August, and this robe seems to have been bought for the purpase at Giles-bill fair. The Winchester fairs, and particularly that of St. Giles, were so great and so famous in those times, that merchants from beFond sea came with their wares, and from various parts of the Continent, from France, Spain, Florence, and the Low Countries, and even from Germany. At this time every family of consequence, and every religious House, ad in their stock of merchandize and hoosehold stuff for the whole year. At Giles-hill and at Weyhill churches were erected, and it was common in 7 those days for the Priest and Clerk to Mr. URBAN, Jan. 19. To the United Kingdoms, in the year 1821, will doubtless add many in- I doubt not but there are many The points upon which it would be most desirable to possess information, are these: |