tion; and through the instrumentality of the commissioners of sewers, or rather of their servants the "navigators," (who are much more anxious to preserve them than their superiors themselves,) these silent records of past ages find their way into private museums and collections.

Rapid strides are being made towards the completion of the drainage of the metropolis, and probably in the course of a few years there will be no occasion for the extensive excavations at present necessary for the purpose of forming sewers; consequently, I think that, although of late many remains of Roman London have been discovered, they ought in every instance to be recorded while we yet have the advantage of such aid to antiquarian research.

From the numerous fragments of this ware which have been observed on the sites of Roman cities and towns,

it has been reasonably conjectured that it is the identical Samian spoken of by Pliny and other authors as used by the Romans at their meals, and for other domestic purposes; it is indeed expressly stated that the ware made of Samian earth, and which came from the island of Samos, was much esteemed by them to eat their meals out of, and to display upon the board;* that it was in common use we have authority enough, in fact we find it proverbial, in the same manner as we at the present day make use of the simile" as brittle as glass."

"M. Placidè pulta." "P. Metuis credo, ne fores Samiæ fient."

Again,

traced innumerable vestiges of potteries, throughout the Upchurch marshes, and along the banks of the Medway,* but all of the coarse black

ware.

We have historical evidence to prove that the Samian was transported into foreign countries, and that most nations under heaven used them at their tables;† and there is little doubt but that they were of foreign manufacture. Similar fragments are found at Rome and its vicinity, and indeed throughout Europe, some apparently from the same moulds. Two of these Samian bowls are engraved in Montfaucon, and are placed among the "Batterie de Cuisine," and speaking of the ware he says, "C'est fort creux, et peut avoir servi à mettre des sausses ou de la bouillie."

"At tibi læta trahant Samiæ convivia testæ,

Fictaque Cumana lubrica terra rota."§ It is very likely the appellation of Samian was given indiscriminately to all vessels in common use at the table, of whatever colour or make, for the Samian "fictilis fidelia," mentioned by several authors, was a jug or pitcher of white ware, in which the wine was put out of the larger amphora.

"Tumet alba fidelia vino."||

It held about a gallon, and was often filled with the favourite beverage mulled wine.

"Mulsi congialem plenam tibi faciam fideliam."¶

The "pocula Saguntina," and drinking-cups from Surrentum, Asia, and Pollentia may be included.

The general forms of the bright red Samian are bowls and dishes or pateræ of various sizes, and of considerable thickness, to bear the constant wear to which it was subjected in being so repeatedly moved on and off the board; unlike the Athenian vases, which were for ornament only, and the chief excellence of which consisted in their extreme lightness. Some colouring matter must have been used to give it the beautiful coralline appearance it now (even after the lapse

of so many centuries) possesses throughout its substance :

"Ex luto Samio in rubrem colorem vertente,"

and it is extraordinary that it should still retain the uniform high polish on its surface. In examining the numerous specimens I possess, there appears such a similarity in the colour, scarcely varying a shade, that it is probable these red vessels were transported from one particular spot, and that the knowledge of the art in colouring and manufacturing them was confined to the potters of the island of Samos.

Pottery was looked upon with greater veneration and respect than vessels of gold or silver, and generally used at their sacrifices. Tertullian speaks of the Samian vessels as still in use at their religious ceremonies; and Plautus, "Ad rem divinam quibus est opus Samiis vasis utitur."+

It was the custom among the Romans to give an entertainment to commemorate the death of their friends, at which a display of plate or earthenware, according to the circumstances or distinction of the deceased, was placed about the room; and we find Cicerot speaking of the stoic Quintus Tubero, who, on the death of Africanus, furnished out a dining room, in which were placed wooden beds with goatskin covers, and a sideboard of Samian vessels, as if they had been commemorating the death of Diogenes the cynic, and not the great Africanus.

The Romans doubtless in their entertainments made a great display of the more precious metals, but the Samian ware was in general use among all classes.

"Quibus divitiæ domi sunt, scaphis et cantharis

Batiolis bibunt: at nos nostro Samiolo poterio

Tamen vivimus."§

It is said that Agathocles, king of Sicily, used these Samian vessels always at his feasts; his partiality to them no doubt arose from the circum

* Pitiscus.

Captiv. Act 2, sc. 2.

Pro Murena.

§ Plaut. Stich. A. 5, sc. 4.

stance of his father having followed the trade of a potter.

"Fama est fictilibus cœnasse Agathocle a rege,

Atque Abacum Samio sæpe onerasse luto."*

A strong cement called signina was made from fragments of Samian pottery, which were ground into powder and tempered with lime; this red cement is seen on some tesselated pavement (found last year in Wood Street) between tessera of baked white clay. Pavements were also made of powdered tiles mixed in the same manner, so likewise was the mortar, which gave it that red appearance to which Fitzstephen alludes, when, speaking of some part of the Tower of London which then stood, he says"The mortar is tempered with the blood of beasts."

This ware was probably more esteemed and more generally used among the higher classes in Britain than at Rome; the common black pottery, made at a small cost in the various manufactories of England, was used by the lower orders; and the Samian, from the distance it was brought, and consequent increase of price, was comparatively rare; as a proof of this, bowls and pateræ are found which had been broken and

fastened together again with leaden

rivets.

Some of the patterns with which this ware is decorated are exceedingly beautiful and interesting, illustrating their mythology, and the different games they were accustomed to celebrate: gladiatorial combats; conflicts between men and beasts; field sports; and musicians represented playing on the plectrum, double flute, and instruments many of which are now unknown. In many the pigmies are seen warring against their inveterate enemies the cranes, who invaded their corn fields. The patterns formed of the vine, its tendrils, leaves, and fruit, are tastefully grouped. On others are seen basso relievos of the heathen deities, Mercury, Apollo, Venus, &c., modelled from existing statues.

In general, the ornaments are raised from the surface of the bowl; the clay

* Ausonius.

in the first instance was shaped by being thrown on the wheel, and the figures afterwards moulded in relief on the exterior; in a few instances these figures appear to have been cast in a mould previous to their being affixed to the bowl. Mr. C. R. Smith possesses a beautiful specimen of this variety.

The potters' names are in most cases impressed across the centre at the bottom of the interior of the vessel; and it is remarked that many discovered in London correspond with others found in different parts of England, and even in France. Among the names on the annexed list are several which agree exactly, even in the peculiar monogram and precise formation of the type adopted by one particular artificer. VTALIS (Vitalis), this stamp has been found on Samian pateræ from Crooked Lane, Queen Street, Cheapside, and in a tumulus on the Bartlow Hills. OF RVFIN has been observed on the same ware from Lombard Street, Crooked Lane, Lad Lane, and other parts of the city.

It is probable these larger ornamented vessels were used to place the meat and substantial part of the meal in, while the small plain Samian cups of the same red ware were those described as the salinum or salt-cellar, and acetabulum or vinegar-cup, which were put on the board to dip the lettuce and viands into, or to hold pickles, sauces, &c. to give a relish to the other portion of the repast. The acetabulum was used as a measure, about the same as the modern "tea cup full;" the cyathus or ladle held

of a pint, the acetabulum of a pint, the urna about three gallons four pints, and the amphora about seven gallons. The Romans divided the sextarius or pint into twelve equal parts, called cyathi, therefore their calices or cups were called sextantes, quadrantes, trientes, &c. according to the number of cyathi they contained. Another circumstance connected with these cups may not be unworthy of notice, as it shows the antiquity of the "thimble rig" of the present day. The use of the acetabulum for this purpose is distinctly mentioned; they placed three of these cups on a table with three legs, and underneath each

were put stones or other objects, which were removed from one to the other by sleight of hand, or abstracted altogether, to the great astonishment and amusement of the spectators, who found the stones under different cups from those which they expected. These persons were called acetabularii, because they played with the acetabulum.

In the following list I have confined myself entirely to those stamps in my own possession, and which are all im pressed on the red Samian ware, and the places where they were found are printed in italics.

Aistivi. M. Creed-lane.

W. C.

Aeterni. M. reversed, Lad-lane. Borilli. M. Queen-street, and C. R. Smith's list.*

Crani. Bishopsgate-street, C. R. Smith's

list.

Ceria. Ditto.

Cai M. S. reversed, Queen-street.
Decimi. Lad-lane.

Jul. Numidi. Lad-lane.

Of. Jucun. Creed-lane and Queen-street.
Latinian. F. Queen-street.
Lupei. M. Lad-lane.
Miccio. Creed-lane.

Of. Murra. Bishopsgate-street, Lom-
bard-street, Crooked-lane.‡
Onativi. Queen- street.
Ocirni. Lad-lane.
Omom. Lad-lane.
Officin. Queen-street.

Of. Passi. Bishopsgate-street.

Of. Prim. Lad-lane, Reculvers, Crookedlane.

Patna. Bishopsgate-street.

Of. Patrici. Queen-street, C. R. Smith's list.

Pater. Bishopsgate-street.

Of. Rufin. Lad-lane, Crooked-lane, Lombard-street.

Ropusi. F. F. Queen-street. Secundus. Queen-street, Lombard-street, Crooked-lane, C. R. S. list. Silvinus. F. Lad-lane. Sympho. Bishopsgate street. Turtunn. Queen-street. Tauri. Queen-street.

Vitalis. M. S. F. Lad-lane, Crookedlane, Bartlow hills.§ C. R. S. list. Vitalis P. P. Bishopsgate-street. Of. Vita. Lad-lane. Xivi. Queen-street.

Archæol. 1831.

† Archæol. by Mr. Forster, 1786. Archæol. Mr. Kempe, vol. xxiv. § Archæol. vol. 25.

"This made John Leftwul," clearly indicates the name of the founder or builder; for we have, or had, examples of such inscriptions at Brougham Castle, for Roger de Clifford, temp. Edw. I., and at Windsor Castle, for William Wykeham, bishop of Winchester. temp. Edw. III.-(Vide your vol. LXV. part 1. p. 95). The curious carved oak doorway, and the arches with their pillars, which support the projecting upper floor of the building, are well preserved, and delineated in the drawing I send with this brief account.

MR. URBAN,

C. S. B.

Jan. 18.

TO correct a great error which exists in Aubrey's History, or Collections for a History, of Surrey, and which has misled antiquaries and many topographical writers, is one reason for my troubling you with this. That work was published after his decease, about 1719, in 5 volumes; but, being badly digested and arranged for the purpose, it contains many inaccuracies in some shape or other.

In the account of DORKING therein given, it is stated, that "the church here was built by one Ewton, who endowed it with lands of considerable value, which yet bear his name; and, as it is supposed, founded it upon the demolition of the castle by the Danes." And also, that "over against this church, in a meadow called Benham Castle meadow, stood once a fortress, destroyed by the Danes, of which nought remains now but a large ditch." And further, that in "a coppice called Blackhawes was another castle, said to have belonged to the Ewtons, demolished with the other near the church, and nothing now but the moat and some few bricks remain."

These statements of Aubrey have been inserted in many topographical works, in the accounts they give of Dorking, as applying to that place, and the inhabitants there have supposed them to be true, although they have never been able to trace anything at all to corroborate the particulars thus given. Several years ago I discovered that they were referable to CAPEL, the adjoining parish to Dorking (and in ancient times a part thereof); and, from investigation

and ancient documents in my possession, I am enabled, I believe, to explain Aubrey's account; which, even when applied to Capel, is not unmixed with fiction or romance.

This

The facts seem to be these :-In the reign of Henry the Third, there lived in that part of Dorking (now forming Capel) one Maurice Niger, as he is termed in deeds of that time, but probably called in English Black, who resided, it is presumed, at a mansion then probably the Blackhawes (or Blackhagh*) of Aubrey, but which then stood upon lands called Ewekene, now corrupted to Ewtons. Maurice, it is presumed, built the church, and then assumed the name de Ewekene, as he is so called in many deeds a little subsequent to those before mentioned; and by the name of Ewekene (or Ewekyn and Ewkyn) was so much of Dorking parish as became, by some arrange. ment, appropriated to the new church or chapel (Capella) called for about two centuries afterwards. The church thus erected was at least six miles from the parochial one at Dorking (at that time a very extensive parish), and therefore a very necessary accommodation for the inhabitants of the southern part of that parish. Although the parish of Ewekene, and the vill of Ewekene, are mentioned in deeds of the 14th and 15th centuries, in describing lands in what is now the parish of Capel, at the end of the 15th the name of Ewekene was discontinued, and that of Capel generally adopted for this tract. The coppice called Blackhawes by Aubrey is near Capel churchyard; and it is believed that some remains of building are there to be traced. Many years ago the spot was pointed out to me.

To further identify the account given by Aubrey, as aforesaid, with Capel, it should be mentioned, that over against Capel church (that is, on

HAGA, a house-Saxon. In old charters it seems to be written hagh.

+ About this period, Oakwood chapel. about three miles from Capel, was founded by John de la Hale, who was a contemporary of Maurice Niger or Maurice de Ewekene. Hale House is at the foot of Oakwood hill. For an account of this chapel, see Manning and Bray's Surrey.