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in full view of Blatumbulgii (Bowness) and Olenacum (old
Carlisle); and commanding the whole extent of the Solway firth,
would receive the first notice from any frontier station, were
(sic) the Caledonians might make an attempt to cross the Firth,
or had actually broken in upon the province; and notice of this
might be communicated by the beacon on Caer-mot to the garrison
at Keswick, by the watch on Castle-crag, in Borrowdale. The
garrison at Keswick, would have the care of the beacon on the top
of Skiddaw, the mountain being of the easiest access on that
side. By this means, the alarm would soon become general, and the
invaders be either terrified into flight, or else the whole
country quickly in arms to oppose them.
Whether these camps are the Arbeia, I pretend not to say, but
that they were of use to the Romans is evident; and what the
Britons thought of them, is recorded in the name they have
conferred on the hill where they are situated.
The larger camp has no advantage of site, and is but ill supplied
with water. The ground is of a spongy nature, and retains wet
long, and therefore could only be occupied in the summer months.
They seem to have the same relation to old Carlisle and Keswick,
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