Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

June 30. On Saturday last, as Messrs. Wilcox and Co. of St. Saviour's, Southwark, were digging for the foundation of several new houses to be built in that parish, the workmen discovered a large marble slab, which measured seven feet by five and a half. The foreman being present, caused the slab to be taken up, which covered the entrance into a subterranean passage hewn out of the solid rock; by the help of lamps Mr. Wilcox, and several gentlemen who accompanied him proceeded 196 yards through such a passage, which terminated in a circular compartment, 25 yards and half in diameter, and 12 feet perpendicular, supported by nine pillars of veined marble, of the Tuscan order. Along the passage on both sides, at the distance of six feet, are niches, in which are the figures of Popish Saints, habited in their religious habiliments, with crucifixes, beads, &c. and in the amphitheatre, or circular compartment, are six niches, which are filled with Saints and other pious relics of the Popish Church. Those in the niches in the passage being of white marble, and those in the amphitheatre of veined marble. Several pieces of gold and silver coin of Julius Caesar's were found in this subterranean vault, and great care is taken to preserve the whole as a museum of great curiosity. The learned are divided as to the original use of this subterranean temple, and its antiquity, which appears to be very great. There is also an additional curiosity resulting from this discovery, which has afforded much room for conjecture: At the further end of the amphitheatre was found an enormous toad, which weighs eleven pounds nine ounces, and is of the size of a full grown capon; it was found alive, but on being brought into the air, died in less than an hour. It is kept in spirits.