ROMAN LONDON

Evening Star, Issue 17543, 24 December 1920, Page 10

ROMAN LONDON

The first of a series of lectures on ' Roman London* was delivered at Birkbeck Colleo-e. London, in October, by Mr Reginald Smith; of the British Museum.

Sir Smith opened his lecture by saying that in 1943 tho citizens might celebrate the nineteenth century of thu foundation of the greatest'city of all time, for the year 43 might be placed as the actual beginning of London as a city. There were, however, traces of settlers before the Conquest by Claudius in 43, going back to an undetermined period- After dealing with these early Britons, whom ho described as an aitistic people, he said that there was probably a ford at London Bridge before the Romans bui't> a bridge, while there was probably a bridge at Westminster. That ford -was, he thought, tho site of a Roman reverse described by a Roman historian. Tho lecturer expressed the hope that when in a few years St. Paul's bridge is built great caro will be taken in the excavations, which should be under proper supervision. He anticipated ri;h finds, throwing great light on Roman and British London.