My dear William.

When you go to Brading take a measure with you & if the land is nearly level, so that fine earth c^d. not have been washed down over the remains—measure how thick the vegetable mould is over them.¹ The floor & walls will probably be covered by layer of rubbish which ought to be measured.—

If floors have been uncovered, see whether they have sagged in middle.² It is not likely that foundations of any wall will have been displayed but if this sh^d. have been done, look for burrows beneath wall—& for any recent casting on tops of broken-down walls or on floors.—

By all means collect any castings from over the ruins, especially where soil happens not to be very thick.—

James Geikie has sent me a grand & excellent book (containing my notions about gravel near Southampton) which when I have read I can lend you.—³ I wish you or I c^d make out the relation of the brick-earth to the angular gravel. I suspect the former is the washings of the latter. I have much to write.

your affect. | C. D.—