262
THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
resemblance thereto ; but underneath there was nothing in the galleries
answering to any type of dene-hole yet discovered. Unless, therefore, a special
kind of dene-hole is ascertained to have been prevalent at Chislehurst, it must
be admitted that these cavities cannot be identified as such with any plausibility.
On the other hand, the circumstance that the cavities on the surface, and the
great downfalls of chalk and Thanet sand in the caves underneath, are grouped
closely together near the slope of the hill, where the roof would tend to be
weaker and subsidences to occur, suggests that they are not the shafts of dene-
holes at all, but the result of falls. There is one shaft among these depressions,
and two Others above the Middle Mine—described as the Druidical labyrinth—
which have evidently been used with windlasses for raising chalk, and these are
all the vertical openings that can be asserted to be beyond doubt artificial.
" It was found by experiment with a compass that not one of the
alleged altar-tables showed evidence of even an attempt at true orientation.
Careful attention was also paid to the smooth finishing of the walls in the
Middle Series, the most ancient part according to upholders of the Druidical
theory, but the most recent it the traces of modern working by chalk miners be
accepted. In the two other groups the walls are in a very rough state ; but here,
according to Mr. Nichols, the trouble taken to smooth their surfaces and to
round the vaulting symmetrically indicates that the passages were intended for
ceremonial uses. Unfortunately, as was pointed out by Mr. A. L. Leach and
the writer, the same care is taken in chalk mines worked at the present day,
partly for economical reasons, but more, perhaps, for safety's sake, to prevent
the fall of insecure fragments. The conclusions drawn by Mr. W. H. Griffin, in
his letter of February 7, to The Standard, from his casts of pick-holes, that the
fine dressing was executed with implements of flint or antler, has little weight.
These casts were made from superficial markings, and an ordinary metal pick
makes an extraordinary variety of impressions on the chalk when the blows are
driven obliquely or glance along the surface, especially if the tool is much worn.
It would be the simplest matter in the world to produce effigies of stone celts
and deer-horns by the aid of plasticine from the walls of the most recent chalk
mine."
After a thorough inspection of the caves, tea was taken at the "Bickley
Hotel," and then a meeting was held for the discussion of the observations of the
afternoon, Mr. Miller Christy, President, in the chair.
A very interesting discussion ensued, in which the President, Mr. W. J.
Nichols (of Chislehurst), the Rev. J. W. Hayes (of West Thurrock), Mr. W.
Cole, Mr. E. A. Baker (of Eltham), Mr. A, L. Leach (of Plumstead), Mr. Clift,
and others took part.
To continue our quotation from Mr. Baker's report, "it was shown that
abundant evidence is forthcoming that the caves were worked as a chalk mine up
to half a century ago, the chalk and flints being used for building, the chalk for
making bricks and lime, for road metalling, and for agriculture—huge quantities
being required for the last-named purpose on farms in the neighbourhood. Some
of the workmen 'are still alive, and the machinery used in the supposed dene-
holes for lifting the material is still in existence in the village. The writer has
carefully examined Mr. T. Wood, who wrote in The Standard that he remembers
the digging of the well ; and, though this statement has been denied, it must be
accepted as amply proved. True, there is a possibility that the modern chalk
mine may have been preceded by ancient workings ; but of this there is no