Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1896-09-17
RELICS or ROMAN OCCUPATION
~nterestinG Finds in the Excavations
. at Si1chester, in England.

lHe result OF Ia at summers labOrS in
the excavation OF the Roman CITY O.
S1lchester-about ten miles to the
south~est Of Reading-may be seen in
the rooms of the Society OF Antiquari-
ans. under whose auspices the work is
carried on. The committee has been
Systematically engaged with this labor
Tor SIX successive seasons. none of
which has b. more fruitful than the
last as rega-ds both the structural re-
storatlon Of the city and individual
finds.
About half the area-1OO icres-with-
In the walls-has been thoroughly ex-
plored. but it is anticipated that sew
eral more years work will be required
before the Romano-British city can be
as completely disclosed. An
expenditure of at least 5000 a year is
needed for the work. which in some re-
spects Is Of unequaled archaeological
and historic interest. as nowhere else
have 80 many houses. temples and pub
lie buildings Of the period been di:cov-
cred. and no other place has yielded a
forum or a Christian church. and with
some Justice the committee claims that
the exploration of Silchester is the be-
ginning Of the history OF the civil &C.
cupation Of Britain by the Romans.
The excavations last veal were be-
gun on May :. and continued with no
break, except for harvest. until the
middle Of October. An area Of about
three and one-half acres was examined.
on which were two insulae (XIII. and
\IN.l. Of which insula XIII. was clear
3y shown to have been occupied by the
dyers. who. according to previous dis
coveries, worked in this portion Of the
city.
The real interest was conferred in
inSula NV. which was almost N
tirely covered by the foundations OF
W large and important houses. The
western house of the Two was OF the
courtyard type. but different from
others Of the kind in having the fourth
side. which is usually open or nearly
closed b,v a wall. covered by a range
Of large chambers with mosaic floors,
some of the mosaics being Of large size
and good workmanship and in such
good condition that three ont of four
were taken up and properly mounted
for future exhibition at the Reading
museum.
The eastern house also disclosed re-
markable examples Of beautiful mosaic
pavemen1s and rich panels for the
walls.
Another pavement was interesting.
both on account Of the coarse work.
manship. indicating a late date. and
also for the pattern. which marked the
position Of the table and couches in the
triclinium. OF which it formed the floor.
The most remarkable feature. however.
in this house was the small chapel con
tanning the base of Il detached shrine
for the household gods. a feature not
hitherto found at Silchester.
One OF the most interesting discov.
cries was that Of a block Of wood
through which passed two large and
perfect lead pipes. while the chase for
another was cut In front. This ar
rangement. it has now been ascertain
ed, represented when complete the
force pump. described by Vitruvius as
the "machina ctesibica.' This is be-
lieved to be the first example OF Ro-
man hydraulic machinery discovered in
Britain.
The most beautiful Of the finds is q
tinall pillar-molded bowl of deep sap
phire blue streaked with white and
yellow spots. which Fortunately has
beeen perfectly restored. No other
complete example Of this kind Of I'M.
ported glass has hitherto been found in
this country.-London Times.
Lifted a 7bO-Pound Hammer.
All over Southern New Jersey Will
lam Stiles was known as the Jersey
Samson" At the time Of his death a
"ape May a few days ago he was Z!
years old, yet even at that age he coult
lift things that a much younger maj
~>uld only bulge. Stiles was one of tn
| <xpert boatmen of the Cape coast. II
| times Of peril and heavy aas he wa,
| always placed in command Of the life
boat.
As an instance OF Stiles strength 1t
tolc of him that a few years before tn
outbreak Of the rebellion, when leadin,
| Southerners ~freQuented the hotels o
that resort, athletic sports were ofteI
held for the amusement OF the visitors
One young Southerner, who lowered
feet 4 In his stockings, had entered
strong mans" competition. He wall
ed easily with objects weighing 80
pounds, then he did better by pickin
up a 55O-pound weight and carrying
100 feet.
Stiles watched these performance
without saying a word. Then th
Southerner, to cap the climax" grasI
ed a full 6OO-pound weight and carrie
it thirty yards. Flattered by cheer
from the girls. he raised his voice an
dared any one present to equal his fea
Stiles walked from his obscure positio
past the heaviest object that had ~
been lifted. and on to the beach beyont
where there was an anchor weighin
$50 pounds. took OF his coat. stoope