XV.—Correspondence between the Society of Antiquaries and the Admiralty respecting the Tides in the Dover Channel, with reference to the Landing of Cæsar in Britain, B.C. 55; together with Tables for the turning of the Tidestream off Dover, made in the year 1862

Extract

At a Council of the Society of Antiquaries held at Somerset House this day, I was authorised, as President, to address your Grace on the following subject:

A controversy of great interest has recently been engaged in as to the exact place of Cæsar's landing in Britain. Two essays of especial weight and value have lately appeared upon it: one by Mr. Lewin, separately published, the other by the Rev. Dr. Cardwell, late Principal of St. Alban's Hall, Oxford, which came forth in the Archæologia Cantiana of last year. Mr. Lewin contends that the landing place was at Hythe, and Dr. Cardwell that it was at Deal. The question between them seems to turn chiefly, if not entirely, upon the direction of the Channel tides. It is admitted that Caesar was off the Dover coast at three o'clock p.m. on the fourth day before the full moon (Aug. 27, B.C. 55), and the question is then, whether in that position the tides would have borne him to the north or to the south.