Then, having paused a little, to suffer his guest to digest a communication so important, he resumed his disquisition in a higher tone.``Yes, my good friend, I am indeed greatly deceived if this place does not correspond with all the marks of that celebrated place of action.It was near to the Grampian mountains--lo! yonder they are, mixing and contending with the sky on the skirts of the horizon! It was _in conspectu classis_--in sight of the Roman fleet; and would any admiral, Roman or British, wish a fairer bay to ride in than that on your right hand? It is astonishing how blind we professed antiquaries sometimes are! Sir Robert Sibbald, Saunders Gordon, General Roy, Dr.Stokely,--why, it escaped all of them.I was unwilling to say a word about it till I had secured the ground, for it belonged to auld Johnnie Howie, a bonnet-laird* hard by, and * A bonnet-laird signifies a petty proprietor, wearing the dress, along * with the habits of a yeoman.
many a communing we had before he and I could agree.At length--I am almost ashamed to say it--but I even brought my mind to give acre for acre of my good corn-land for this barren spot.But then it was a national concern; and when the scene of so celebrated an event became my own, I was overpaid.--Whose patriotism would not grow warmer, as old Johnson says, on the plains of Marathon? I began to trench the ground, to see what might be discovered; and the third day, sir, we found a stone, which I have transported to Monkbarns, in order to have the sculpture taken off with plaster of Paris; it bears a sacrificing vessel, and the letters A.D.L.L.
which may stand, without much violence, for _Agricola Dicavit Libens Lubens._''
``Certainly, sir; for the Dutch Antiquaries claim Caligula as the founder of a light-house, on the sole authority of the letters C.C.P.F., which they interpret _Caius Caligula Pharum Fecit._''
``True, and it has ever been recorded as a sound exposition.
I see we shall make something of you even before you wear spectacles, notwithstanding you thought the traces of this beautiful camp indistinct when you first observed them.''
``In time, sir, and by good instruction''--``--You will become more apt--I doubt it not.You shall peruse, upon your next visit to Monkbarns, my trivial Essay upon Castrametation, with some particular Remarks upon the Vestiges of Ancient Fortifications lately discovered by the Author at the Kaim of Kinprunes.I think I have pointed out the infallible touchstone of supposed antiquity.I premise a few general rules on that point, on the nature, namely, of the evidence to be received in such cases.Meanwhile be pleased to observe, for example, that I could press into my service Claudian's famous line, Ille Caledoniis posuit qui castra pruinis.
For _pruinis,_ though interpreted to mean _hoar frosts,_ to which Iown we are somewhat subject in this north-eastern sea-coast, may also signify a locality, namely, _Prunes;_ the _Castra Pruinis posita_ would therefore be the Kaim of Kinprunes.But I waive this, for I am sensible it might be laid hold of by cavillers as carrying down my Castra to the time of Theodosius, sent by Valentinian into Britain as late as the year 367, or thereabout.
No, my good friend, I appeal to people's eye-sight.Is not here the Decuman gate? and there, but for the ravage of the horrid plough, as a learned friend calls it, would be the Pr<ae>torian gate.
On the left hand you may see some slight vestiges of the _porta sinistra,_ and on the right, one side of the _porta dextra_ wellnigh entire.Here, then, let us take our stand, on this tumulus, exhibiting the foundation of ruined buildings,--the central point--the _pr<ae>torium,_ doubtless, of the camp.From this place, now scarce to be distinguished but by its slight elevation and its greener turf from the rest of the fortification, we may suppose Agricola to have looked forth on the immense army of Caledonians, occupying the declivities of yon opposite hill,--the infantry rising rank over rank, as the form of ground displayed their array to its utmost advantage,--the cavalry and _covinarii,_ by which I understand the charioteers--another guise of folks from your Bond-street four-in-hand men, I trow--scouring the more level space below--See, then, Lovel--See--
See that huge battle moving from the mountains!
Their gilt coats shine like dragon scales;--their march Like a rough tumbling storm.--See them, and view them, And then see Rome no more!--Yes, my dear friend, from this stance it is probable--nay, it is nearly certain, that Julius Agricola beheld what our Beaumont has so admirably described!--From this very Pr<ae>torium''--A voice from behind interrupted his ecstatic description--``Pr<ae>torian here, Pr<ae>torian there, I mind the bigging o't.''
Both at once turned round, Lovel with surprise, and Oldbuck with mingled surprise and indignation, at so uncivil an interruption.
An auditor had stolen upon them, unseen and unheard, amid the energy of the Antiquary's enthusiastic declamation, and the attentive civility of Lovel.He had the exterior appearance of a mendicant.A slouched hat of huge dimensions;a long white beard which mingled with his grizzled hair; an aged but strongly marked and expressive countenance, hardened, by climate and exposure, to a right brick-dust complexion; a long blue gown, with a pewter badge on the right arm; two or three wallets, or bags, slung across his shoulder, for holding the different kinds of meal, when he received his charity in kind from those who were but a degree richer than himself:--all these marked at once a beggar by profession, and one of that privileged class which are called in Scotland the King's Bedesmen, or, vulgarly, Blue-Gowns.
``What is that you say, Edie?'' said Oldbuck, hoping, perhaps, that his ears had betrayed their duty--``what were you speaking about!''
``About this bit bourock, your honour,'' answered the undaunted Edie; ``I mind the bigging o't.''