By the Title of Domini nostri given to the Emperors, it appears, that this Inscription was of the Bas Empire, not before Dioclesian, nor yet so late as Theodorus, it being Pagan. The Stone it self is about Thirty two Inches high, Sixteen in breadth, and Nine thick; On the one end is Engraven, not very curiously, the Resemblance of a Genius, holding a Cornu Copia; on the other is a Flower-pot somewhat better performed, but a little endamaged by the softness of the Stone. The backside opposite to the Inscription, is adorned with a pretty sort of Feuillage, designed to fill up the vacant space. On the top in a pretty deep Cavity, is a full Face of a Man, almost such as they Paint the Sun or Full Moon withal, with a Cap upon his Head, of which as yet I cannot comprehend the Design; I submit it to the Disquisition of the Society; and if it be thought requisite, I will more particularly inspect and describe this Stone, which is in the Custody of one Mr. Prescot here, a great lover of Antiquity, and who has several curiosities by him, which I am promised to peruse.

Part of a Sort of Mummy found at or near Chester. Don. Hen. Prescot Arm. Whether from the Nature of the Soil where it was found, or by embalming, I have not heard; but some Ground is of such a Nature, and particularly a sandy Desert in Africa, that Humane Bodies laid in the same, do not in the least corrupt, but become like Mummies. (a)(a) Gordon's Geogr. p. 300..

An entire Roman Lamp that I bought at London; another somewhat maimed, but of finer Workmanship, that was dug up at Yorke, upon the Bottom is FVGARI. VV. The Mouth of a Præfericulum, given me by Dr. Woodward. The Mouth of a large Vessel found at the Station last mentioned, which even in the thinnest Part (of which here is also a Specimen) is an Inch thick, but the Handles are half a Foot or seven Inches round; one of these, though of the coarsest Clay, hath had an Inscription, of which only the three last Letters OMS remain. The fine Coralline Urns are rarely without the Artificer's Name, in rais'd Letters impress'd with a Stamp at the Bottom of the Patera, or other Vessel used at their Sacrifices or solemn Festivals; for I think these, which are of very curious Workmanship, were rarely used as Sepulchral Urns. Upon a Fragment of one of these is the Lion catching at his Prey; upon another the Statue of Hercules, with the Lions Skin cast over his Left Arm. One inscribed, DOVIICCVS. Another QVINT. IM. These were from Yorke. Others of the like Materials from old Galatum, sent me by the Lord Bishop of Carlisle, (inscribed REGINVS.) from Chester, by Henry Prescot Esq; from Aldbrough and Ribchester, by the Rev. Mr. Morris, and Mr. Hargreaves; and some were found at Burgdunum in this Neigh bourhood. One found by Roger Gale Esq; in the Bank of Trent by Littleborow; and another with TRIO upon it, sent me by Sir Godfrey Copley; and lastly, one found in digging for the Foundation of the present Fabrick of St. Paul's at London, whereupon is a humane Statue very well designed with a Præfericulum, or other Sacrificing Vessel, in his Right Hand: These are all very curiously wrought in Bass-Relieve, and were made in Molds, of which I saw one in the Learned and Ingenious Dr. Woodward's Musæum at Gresham-College. Here is also one of the dark coloured Clay, with a Heart upon it; and another with a Capricorn.

Another of these inscribed LECXXVV. This was the Present of Henry Prescot Esq; of Chester, where the 20th Legion was seated to be a Check or Barrier to the Ordovices. This Legion was stiled Valens Victrix. In some very ancient Roman Monuments, and particularly the Columna rostrata, erected in the first Punick War against the Carthaginians, and yet preserved in the Capitol, is an unaccountable Change of Letters, as of G into C, U to O, &c. as Macistratos for Magistratus, (Brerewood Inq. into Lang. p. 53.) so in this Brick Lecio for Legio. And in an ancient Coin in this Collection Divos Julius for Divus. Other Instances, as Conjuci for Conjugi, may be seen in the industrious Mr. Lhwyd's Archæologia Brittanica, pag. 25. The Letters upon this, and the former Brick are not engraven, as upon Stone, but impressed with a Stamp about five Inches long, and 1 ¼ broad, which leaves a Cavity in the Brick with raised Letters; as are also those small ones upon the best Coralline Pateræ. Pieces of Roman Tile from Ribchester, with Lines alternately raised and furrowed. Also an Iron Nail from Anchor-hill there. Pieces of small Iron Instruments, found in the Urns at Ingham in Norfolk, but so corroded that the Form is not to be distinguished.