A HISTORY OF LONDON stone and layers of tiles, but its thickness at the base was only 3 ft. 8 in., and as several other large Roman walls of various descriptions have been found intersecting this district, it is very doubtful whether this may be considered to have formed a part of the City wall. From just south of this point, however, remains have been found which can with more likelihood be regarded as evidence of the southern defences, consisting of a wall running along the line of Upper Thames Street (Plan C^ 62), which, as Roach Smith tells us," continued with occasional breaks, where at some remote time it had been broken down,, from Lambeth Hill to Queenhithe. The upper part of this wall was generally met with at the depth of about 9 ft. from the level of the present street, and 6 ft. from that which marks the period of the great fire of London. In thickness it measured from 8 ft. to 10 ft> It was built upon oaken piles, over which was laid a stratum of chalk and stone ; and upon this a course of hewn sand-stones, each measuring from 3 ft. to 4 ft. by 2 ft. and 2^ ft.,, cemented with the well-known compound of quick lime, sand, and pounded tile. Upon this solid substructure was laid the body of the wall formed of ragstone, flint, and lime,, bonded at intervals with courses of plain and curved-edged tiles. Many of the large stones which formed the lower part were sculptured and ornamented with mouldings, denoting their use in the friezes or entablatures of edifices, at some period antecedent to the construction of the wall. Fragments of sculptured marble, which had also decorated buildings, and part of the foliage and trellis work of an altar or tomb, of good workmanship,, had also been used as building materials.*^ Another portion found opposite Queen Street further to the east is described by Roach Smith as being of a precisely similar character (Plan C, 63). This was also noticed by J. T. Smith, who says : — " In June 1839 the labourers engaged in deepening a sewer in Thames Street, opposite Vintners' Hall, in the middle of the street, at a depth of 10 ft. from the surface, discovered the perfect remains of an old Roman wall, running parallel with the line of the river. The wall was formed of alternate layers of flint, chalk, and flat tiles. Roach Smith says that this south wall formed an angle at Lambeth Hill and Thames Street, from which it may be supposed either to have continued up Lambeth Hill, which would bring it within a short distance I. Portion of pilaster of white Italian marble ; 2 Capital and portion of column of Purbeck marble. Queen Street ; 3. Carved stone from Thames Street wall Fig. 23 " II/us. Rom. Lond. 18. ^ Roach Smith says that large quantities of similar fragments of marble were found during excavations in the City at his time (see Coll. Ant. i, 125). " Streets of Lond. 380. 70
