Vinovium.

Ebchester , and Corbridge , was constructed . He is also of opinion that , about the time of Commodus , control of Vinovium was lost by the Romans , aud not recovered till the time of Severns . The site covering the ruins of the ancient cit y is very extensive . Some thirty acres are probably filled with remains . Mr . Proud has tapped this vast archrcological treasure in four principal spots , three of which still remain uncovered . The fourth has been filled in . This last proved to be a portion of the famous Watling Street , the great road which ran from Northumberland to Eichboroughnear Sandwichin Kentand which has come down to us in

, , , the first and second itinera , or marching routes , recorded iu the Military lioad Book of Antonine . It ran right through the station of Vinovium , flanked on each side by massive buildings , some of which seem to have been used as barracks for cavalry , and the lower portions of which were found in a wonderfully perfect state . This street showed manifestly , what was also shown by the remains in the other portions of the town explored , that there had been three distinct eras of occupation in the city . In the case of the street , there were three distinct levels of the roadwayand three distinct levels of the doorways . The oriinal

, g laying out and building of the town seemed to have been the most complete ; and for the edifices then erected stones of the largest size were used . At the lowest level the street was flanked with massive channelled stones for carrying off the rain . * In the next era , at a level about two feet above the former one , channelled stones seem to have been , in a great degree , dispensed with ; and , higher again , large flagstones were used at the doorways to bridge the gutters . At this highest level , also , about four feet above the original level , many curious holed cubical stones were found in position , one on each side of each doorway , as though

they had formed bases for wooden or other jambs or pillars . f The contemplation of this street , exposed , as it was a year ago , through a hundred yards of its course , and of the characteristics of the three distinct eras which were so strongly marked in the work which flanked it , forced strongly upon the mind the conviction that , as far as the era of Roman occupation of Britain is concerned , the age of Hadrian was the palmy age of Soman wealth , energy , and enterprise ; and that , though the empire grew after his death , the seeds of decay were nevertheless soon sown , which slowly , yet with sure progression , ripened to their consummation .

As already said , this portion of the excavation has been again filled up ; the other portions remain open . Two of them are of exceeding interest . One is a circular bathroom , J with other apartments adjoining , in a singularly perfect state . More than eight feet in height of the walls of these chambers remain standing . To such a depth has the soil accumulated on the site of this ancient town ! The othciMS a block of rooms , more perfect , it is believed , than any at the present time existing uncovered iu Great Britain . One ample apartment , with doorway entering from a large paved hall , the threshold deeply worn with footsteps ;§ the inner walls lined with flue tilesbmeans of which the apartment was

, y warmed , with coloured plaster over them , aud a moulded floor ;|| beneath , a perfect hypocaust , with entrance arch complete ; outside , the sunken area and arched passage , by which the slave entered to tend the furnace ; adjoining , other rooms , with hypocausts , floors , drains , and other appliances , as on the day they were constructed . In this " building large numbers of coins of the Constantine family were found , and , iu a doorway , a most interesting oue of the Emperor Magnentius , bearing on the reverse the monogram of Christ , between the Greek letters Alpha and Omega . These two blocks it is earnestly desired that the Ecclesiastical Commissioners

, to whom the land belongs , will roof over and preserve , as their value , in a historical and educational point of view , as vivid illustrations of the Roman occupation of our country , of their wealth , their power , their domestic architecture , their social habits , their sanitary arrangements , etc ., is absolutely priceless .

We understand that further explorations b y Mr . Proud were commenced on the 17 th of May , _ and we shall look for the further report carefully , and as carefully impart it to our readers .