The first of these objects which the visitor will remark, is a curious
cylindrical sarcophagus, discovered in the neighbourhood of St.
Alban's, so lately as the year 1831. It contained some Roman vases.
Another sarcophagus found at Southfleet, in Kent, is also included in
the collection. In this sarcophagus several interesting relics were
discovered, including a vessel containing burnt bones; and purple
leather shoes embroidered with gold, and in the same neighbourhood
other relics, including an earthern vessel, also containing bones,
were found. The next object to which the visitor should direct his
attention is the old cistern of a blacksmith, which had been found at
Chesterford, in Essex, which turned out to be an ancient relic
sculptured in high relief with figures of Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, and
Venus. Three or four Roman altars found in various parts of the
country, one to AEsculapius; a bas-relief of a Roman standard of the
second legion; and pigs of lead inscribed with the names of Roman
emperors. Having examined these objects, the visitor should pass at
once westward into the