IMP. CAES. TRAIAN
HADRIANO AVG.
LEG. II. AVG. ET XX V V
SVB. LICINIO PRISCO
LEG. AVG. P.R.P.R.
Imperatori Cæsari Trajano Hadriano Augusto Legiones Secunda Augusta et Vicesima valens victrix sub Licinio Prisco Legato Augustali Proprætore. If we follow the mode of interpreting inscribed stones adopted by some writers, we might infer from this stone that Hadrian was the builder of this station. But a more legitimate inference would be, that the station was in existence at the time of Hadrian, and visited by him; and that it was probably one of the forts built by Agricola.
Hutchinson, in his "History of Cumberland," vol. i., p. 93, also mentions a stone which he found over the channel of the gate of the public-house yard, bearing the following inscription—
I. O. M.
COH. I. DAC . . . .
ATL . . . . T CENTVR
. . FECIT . . . .
None of the above-mentioned stones are to be found at Bewcastle at the present day.
Hutchinson also mentions an altar which he says "was found lately, and is in the possession of the Rev. J. D. Carlyle," who was afterwards Chancellor of the Diocese of Carlisle. An account of it was communicated by him to the Society of Antiquaries in 1792, which was published with a representation of the altar, in the "Archæologia," vol. xi., pl. vi., p. 69. He stated that it had been sent to him a few months previously, having been found in the bed of a rivulet at Bewcastle, and he gave the following reading of the inscription—
SANCTO CO
CIDEO T AVRVNC
FELICISSI
MVS. TRIBVN
EX EVOCATO
V. S. L. M.
Mr. Carlyle supposed this altar to have been dedicated to
