Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-06-26
ROMAN HOUSES IN LONDON.
Civilization In Britain Nearly 2 900 Years
Ago
Halper's Magazine.

The houses of the better class can be re.
constructed from the Roman villas whose
foundations have been laid bare in vari-
Gus parts of the country. A very great
number have been found and partially ex-
amlned by excavations. Some of them
are of a size and splendor which denote
great wealth, as well as a feeling of pro-
found security. They have been found.
for the most part, In the southern counties,
Many are in kent-a county which. so
long as the Count of the Saxon shore pro.
tected its coasts, was the safest part of
Britain. But many of these villas have
been found In Lincolnshire, and there are
probably hundreds awaiting discovery. 1t
is not fair, in considering the traders
house OF London, to take the magnificent
ruins of such villa as that which has
been laid bare at WoOGchester in Glouces-
tershire. Here we find sitting-rooms fftv
feet square ranged about courts or gardens
a hundred and a hundred and fifty feet
square; here are splendid tasselled pave
mentS, fresco paintings, fragments of
statues and groups, Samian ware, and
every indication of art and luxury. We
need not suppose that London merchants
lived In palaces. Into the lofty, brilliant,
well-heated apartments of the finer houses
there was thrown confused mass of fur
niture not unworthy of the richest palaces
of modern days. Cushions and lounges of
crimson silk and BaSylonian tapestry sur
rounded the banqueting tables and walls;
mirrors of metal or glass shone on all
sides. Glass windows let in the inconsis-
tent sunlight; and candles, lamps, and
Candeabra in the winter evenings, scat
tered ever the rooms on tripods. tables,
nlches, and, perhaps, hung aloft on the
ceiling, threw down sufficient light The
infuite number and varied forms of their
lamps show the care the Romans gave to
lighting their rooms and their taste noe
turat amusement. Carpets, rugs and mat
ting were thrown upon the mosaic floor
Statues of real merit stood around in artis-
tic negligence. Tables of citron wood, or
marble tripods, book shelves and stands,
glass vaces Of all forms and modes, rich
with green, red, or purple dyes, shone on
the Roman side board. Goblets. pitchers,
and vaces Of the delicate red Samian ware
added to the glow of color; they were so
fragile that only fragments of the finer
kind have been preserved. In the midst
of his luxurious home sat the London
curial, or alderman Of the Roman time, on
his curnle chair, surrounded by wife and
the day, and all glittering with rings,
jewels, armlets, bracelets, some of which
have been left to tell their tale. On the
bones of a woman 5 arm In Mr.. Roach
Smiths collection are seen three bracelets
of gold, with gems and rare chaSings.
To complete the picture or the home of
the Roman period, we must add a great
number of articles of convenience OF
of comfort that would seem to US
almost exclusively modern. Chairs,
| lounges, sofas, bedsteads. chests, closets,
drawers, curtains, glass vessels, mirrors,
and yaces, lunches of keys, and d great
variety of kitchen utensils, gold and silver
ornaments. baskets and urns for money,
| great amphora filed With wine, and the
well-stored kitchens of the wealthy, made
| up the requirements of Roman life.
| These the baTbarous Saxons piundered or
| destroyed, chiefly from fear that magic
| lay in all objects of art. A garden in the
| front of the villa, filed with roses from
Postum and lilies and violets, was never
| forgotten by people so fond of flowers
baths, hot and cold, were attached TO every
/ large house. Fourteen centuries and the
| ravages Of the Saxon and Dane have cover
/ ed Roman London with cloud Of mystery
that no one has been able to remove.