For some half century Mr. Alfred Watkins, of Hereford, has studied the mysterious tree and boulder avenues, paved fords, standing stones and other ancient landmarks of the counties where Wales meets England. The result is a complete and simple theory, which he displays in “Early British Trackways, Moats, Mounds, Camps and Sites” (Simpkin, Marshall, 4s. 6d.), of their value as route indicators.
To Mr. Watkins a tuft of trees, a casual stone, a causeway nicked in the ridge, an avenue outside a camp, is a portent that some great object is “in line.” It has not been difficult to seek out these places in many instances. Where old roads come together there is always a camp, now occupied by either village or castle.
Mr. Watkins has the courage of his opinions. Every connection of the old tracks out of Herefordshire has been photographed and mapped, and here is the result. Whether we agree with Mr. Watkins’s theory or not, he has produced a book which must be suggestive and of great value to the historian of the ancient British countryside. Mr. Watkins’s theory of leys or directors needs test in other counties before it can be entirely accepted, and this book will lead to other people taking up the matter.
In any case the author has destroyed confidence in the “casual” nature of certain vestiges of old civilisation, and led the way out of a comfortable belief into the realms of cautious inquiry. “Early British Trackways” may have a great influence on skilled observation, and solve many of our topographical mysteries.
Source info: Cuttings agency.