Dr. Stukely, - why, it escaped
all of them. I was unwilling to say a word about it till I had secured the
ground, for it belonged to auld Johnnie Howie, a bonnet-laird5 hard by, and many
a communing we had before he and I could agree. At length - I am almost ashamed
to say it - but I even brought my mind to give acre for acre of my good
corn-land for this barren spot. But then it was a national concern; and when the
scene of so celebrated an event became my own, I was overpaid. - Whose
patriotism would not grow warmer, as old Johnson says, on the plains of
Marathon? I began to trench the ground, to see what might be discovered; and the
third day, sir, we found a stone, which I have transported to Monkbarns, in
order to have the sculpture taken off with plaster of Paris; it bears a
sacrificing vessel, and the letters A.D.L.L. which may stand, without much
violence, for Agricola Dicavit Libens Lubens.«
    »Certainly, sir; for the Dutch Antiquaries claim Caligula as the founder of
a light-house, on the sole authority of the letters C.C.P.F., which they
interpret Caius Caligula Pharum Fecit.«
    »True, and it has ever been recorded as a sound exposition. I see we shall
make something of you even before you wear spectacles, notwithstanding you
thought the traces of this beautiful camp indistinct when you first observed
them.«
    »In time, sir, and by good instruction« -
    »- You will become more apt - I doubt it not. You shall peruse, upon your
next visit to Monkbarns, my trivial Essay upon Castrametation, with some
particular Remarks upon the Vestiges of Ancient Fortifications lately discovered
by the Author at the Kaim of Kinprunes. I think I have pointed out the
infallible touchstone of supposed antiquity. I premise a few general rules on
that point, on the nature, namely, of the evidence to be received in such cases.
Meanwhile be pleased to observe, for example, that I could press into my service
Claudian's famous line,
 
Ille Caledoniis posuit qui castra pruinis.
 
For pruinis, though interpreted to mean hoar frosts, to which I own we are
somewhat subject in this north-eastern sea-coast, may also signify a locality,
namely, Prunes; the Castra Pruinis posita would therefore be the Kaim of
Kinprunes. But I waive this, for I am sensible it might be laid hold of by
cavillers as