The situation of _Abury_ is finely chose for the purpose it was destin’d to, being the more elevated part of a plain, from whence there is an almost imperceptible descent every way. But as the religious work in _Abury_, tho’ great in itself, is but a part of the whole, (the avenues stretching above a mile from it each way,) the situation of the intire design is likewise projected with great judgment, in a kind of large, separate plain, four or five miles in diameter. Into this you descend on all sides from higher ground. The country north of _Abury_, about _Berwick-basset_ and _Broad Hinton_, is very high, tho’ not appearing so to be, and much above the level of _Abury_ town. In a field of _Broad Hinton_ the water runs two ways, into the _Thames_ and _Severn_, and they pretend ’tis the highest ground in _England_. ’Tis indeed part of that very great ridge of hills, coming from _Somersetshire_, and going hence north-eastward, to the _white-horse hill_. So that the ground northward and westward, tho’ not much appearing so, is still very high, a cliff descending that way; and whilst guarded to the east by the _Hakpen_, yet it may be called like the _thessalian_, of the same name, ——_Zephyris agitata Tempe._ Hor. The whole temple of _Abury_ may be consider’d as a picture, and it really is so. Therefore the founders wisely contriv’d, that a spectator should have an advantageous prospect of it, as he approach’d within view. To give the reader at once a foreknowledge of this great and wonderful work, and the magnificence of the plan upon which it is built, I have design’d it scenographically in TABLE VIII. the eye being somewhat more elevated than on the neighbouring hill of _Wansdike_, which is its proper point of sight, being south from it. When I frequented this place, as I did for some years together, to take an exact account of it, staying a fortnight at a time, I found out the entire work by degrees. The second time I was here, an avenue was a new amusement. The third year another. So that at length I discover’d the mystery of it, properly speaking; which was, that the whole figure represented a snake transmitted thro’ a circle; this is an hieroglyphic or symbol of highest note and antiquity. In order to put this design in execution, the founders well studied their ground; and, to make their representation more natural, they artfully carry’d it over a variety of elevations and depressures, which, with the curvature of the avenues, produces sufficiently the desired effect. To make it still more elegant and picture-like, the head of the snake is carried up the southern promontory of the _Hakpen_ hill, towards the village of _West Kennet_; nay, the very name of the hill is deriv’d from this circumstance, meaning the head of the snake; of which we may well say with _Lucan_, _lib._ IV. _Hinc ævi veteris custos, famosa vetustas Miratrixque sui signavit nomine terras, Sed majora dedit cognomina collibus istis._