After the numerous and almost tedious theories concerning Cold Harbours,
particularly the "forlorn hope" of the _Coal Depôts_ in London and
elsewhere, permit me to suggest one of almost universal application.
Respecting _here-burh_, an inland station for an army, in the same sense as
a "harbour" for ships on the sea-coast, a word still sufficiently familiar
and intelligible, the question seems to be settled; and the French
"auberge" for an inn has been used as an illustration, though the first
syllable may be doubtful. The principal difficulty appears to consist in
the prefix "Cold;" for why, it may be asked, should a bleak and "cold"
situation be selected as a "harbour"? The fact probably is that this
spelling, however common, is a corruption for "COL.". Colerna, in
Wiltshire, fortunately retains the original orthography, and in Anglo-Saxon
literally signifies the habitation or settlement of a colony; though in
some topographical works we are told that it was formerly written "Cold
Horne," and that it derives its name from its bleak situation. This,
however, is a mere coincidence; for some of these harbours are in warm
sheltered situations. Sir R.C. Hoare was right when he observed, that these
"harbours" were generally near some Roman road or Roman settlement. It is
therefore wonderful that it should not at once occur to every one
conversant with the Roman occupation of this island, that all these
"COL-harbours" mark the settlements, farms, outposts, or garrisons of the
Roman colonies planted here.