Septem ingens gyros, septena volumina traxit,
Amplexus placidè tumulum———— &c.
Hoc magis inceptos genitori instaurat honores,
Incertus geniumne loci, famulumne parentis
Esse putet——
Much might I recite to our purpose out of the ancient commentators on this passage, to which I refer the inquisitive. From the word adytis we may be apt to conclude the tomb of Anchises had a cove built upon it, as that we describ’d at [Rowldrich]. But to return.
I apprehend the reader will scarce excuse me, if I make not some inference from that observation of the variation of the needle here from the cardinal points. Indeed in these works of antiquity, I would be as temperate as possible in multiplying conjectures; and to nothing more can I pretend in this case, and that too but in gross, for we want sufficient data. A future age may pronounce with more certainty, when we know the entire revolution of the circle of the magnetic variation.
TAB. XXVII.
P. 52.
Silbury Hill July 11. 1723.
