The Olympic Plain, &c.—The success which has attended the excavations of Dr. Layard at Nineveh, has rekindled the curiosity of the antiquary and the classical scholar with regard to the buried remains of ancient Greece and Rome:
"The Tiber at Rome," Dodwell says, "is supposed to contain a vast assemblage of ancient sculpture; and thoughts are entertained of turning its course, in order to explore its hidden treasures."
The same distinguished traveller remarks (Classical and Topog. Tour through Greece) that—
"It was a favourite plan of the learned Winkelmann to raise a subscription for the excavation of the Olympic plain. If such a project should ever be consummated, we may confidently hope that the finest specimens of sculpture, as well as the most curious and valuable remains, will be brought to light. No place abounded with such numerous offerings to the gods, and with such splendid and beautiful representations in marble and in bronze."
Alpha.
Oxford.
Electric Telegraph.—Might not the telegraph be made serviceable in remote country districts, by connecting detached residences with the nearest police station; to which an alarm might be conveyed in cases of danger from thieves or fire? There are many who would willingly incur the expense for the sake of the security, and no doubt all details could be easily arranged.
Thinks I to Myself.
Irish Law in the Eighteenth Century.—I send, for the information of the readers of "N. & Q.," the following extract from Reilly's Dublin News Letter, Aug. 9, 1740:
"Last week, at the assizes of Kilkenny, a fellow who was to be tried for robbery not pleading, a jury was appointed to try whether he was wilfully mute, or by the hands of God; and they giving a verdict that he was wilfully mute, he was condemned to be pressed to death. He accordingly suffered on Wednesday, pursuant to his sentence, which was as follows: that the criminal shall be confined in some low dark room, where he shall be laid on his back, with no covering except round his loins, and shall have as much weight laid upon him as he can bear, and more; that he shall have nothing to live upon but the worst bread and water; and the day that he eats, he shall not drink; and the day that he drinks, he shall not eat; and so shall continue till he dies."