The washings of the two barriers by the repeated rains, together with the humid atmosphere, so striking a character in the climate of this country, combining in various degrees, produces the fertile soil of the valley from the sandy loam to the stiff clay. If we recur to the times of invasion when hordes of barbarians sought the subjugation of this island, the predatory warfare with the ravages to which the inland parts of the country were exposed, there would naturally be a disposition and desire of secrecy and seclusion. Now no place could be better adapted for this purpose, surrounded as it is by the uplands before referred to, lying, too, at a distance from the main road on either hand, and possessing within itself the chief resources of subsistence, it could remain unknown as long as needful. We must remember, when speaking of by-gone times their facilities of information were very rude and simple. How, in the absence of the appliances of transit and intercommunication which we possess, they would denote the direction of various towns we know not; their proximity to certain well known objects, or as occupying particular situations, might afford them means and facilities, especially if we allow the progress of improvement. Let us apply this theory in the present case, and it might be the town left on quitting the downs, and emerging towards the chief towns, as Bath, or the last town prior to ascending them. The name, therefore might mean the washed or watered—the hidden or left town.