Benonis stands in the intersection of the two great Roman roads that traverse the kingdom obliquely, and seems to be the centre of England, and highest ground; for from hence rivers run every way. The Foss went across the back-side of the inn, and so towards Bath. The ground hereabouts, the site of the ancient city, is very rich; and many antiquities, stones, Roman bricks, &c. have been dug up: Roman coins were found when they ploughed the field west of the cross.[99] Much _ebulus_ grows here, sought for in cure of dropsies. Claybroke lane has a bit of an old quick-set hedge left across it, betokening one side of the Foss: the bearing of the Foss here is exactly north-east and south-west, as upon the moor on this side Lincoln. In the garden before the inn was a _tumulus_ lately taken away: under it they found the body of a man upon the plain surface, as likewise under several others hereabouts upon the Watling-street. Foundations of houses have been frequently dug up along the street here, all the way to Cleycester. Here is a cross of handsome design, but of a mouldering stone, through the villainy of the architect, one Dunkley, built at the charge of the late earl of Denbigh, and the gentlemen in the neighbourhood: it consists of four Doric columns regarding the four roads, with a gilded globe and cross a-top upon a sun-dial: on two sides, between the four Tuscan pillars, that compose a sort of pedestal, are these inscriptions. _Vicinarum provinciarum Vervicensis Scilicet & Leicestrensis ornamenta Proceres patriciique auspiciis Illustrissimi Basilii comitis de Denbigh hanc columnam statuendam curaverunt in gratam pariter & perpetuam memoriam Jani tandem a serenissima Anna clausi._ A. D. MDCCXII. _Si veterum Romanorum vestigia quæras, hic cernas viator. Hic enim celeberrimæ illorum viæ militares sese mutuo secantes ad extremos usque Britanniæ limites procurrunt, hic stativa sua habuerunt Vennones & ad primum abhinc lapidem castra sua ad stratam & ad fossam tumulum Claudius quidam cohortis præfectus habuisse videtur._ Cloudbury-hill, two thorn-bushes upon a _tumulus_ on the Foss, supposed the sepulchre of one Claudius. The city probably was of a square form, humouring the crossing of the roads, and had consequently four streets and four quarters. Many foundations are dug up along all the roads. It commands a charming prospect to _Ratæ_, _Vernometum_, Coventry, &c. and quite round. You go through a gate by the cross to regain the Foss: at the length of a pasture it meets the true old road. [Illustration: 93 +Bennonis.+ _Sepᵗ. 9. 1722._ _Stukeley del_: _I. Vᵈᵉʳ. Gucht Sculp._ _Thomæ Bacon Ar Relliquias Romanas dd. Wˢ. Stukeley._ _Coins found near High-Cross_ High Cross. A.D. 1618. High Cross, 1722. _Bonnonis Sept. 9. 1722._] [Sidenote: +Watling-street.+] [Sidenote: TAB. LVI.]