The ancient town of Cricklade reconciles any differences, and effectually ends all disputes as to individual claimants, by affording the two branches an opportunity of uniting their forces a short distance below the bridge. Here the Churn, from its north-western source, merges into the stream which has been always apparently called by the name of Thames. In this district it formed the boundary of the forest of Braden in the time of Canute. James Thorne, in his accurately written "Rambles by Rivers," does no injustice to the town of Cricklade when he speaks of it as dull to look at, dull to live in, and no less dull to talk about. There is, indeed, little about which to talk in connection with it, though we may, in passing, smile on recalling Drayton's words in his "Polyolbion"-- "Greeklade whose great name yet vaunts that learned tongue Where to Great Britain first the sacred Muses sung, Who first were seated here at Isis' bounteous head, As telling that her fame should through the world be spread." It has been alleged by certain authorities that a college here, founded by a school of ancient philosophers, became famous for its Greek learning, and hence the name of the town. It has also been insisted that a few miles down the river a rival college, maintained with similar success in the Latin interests, gave a name to the community which lived under its learned shadow; or, as Fuller said, "The Muses swam down the stream of the River Isis to be twenty miles nearer to the rising sun." In this manner fanciful writers have sought to explain the origin of the words Cricklade and Lechlade. [Illustration: CRICKLADE.]