Littlestone wrote: Re: Modern Avebury by Ronald Hutton.
Professor Hutton writes -
“Between 1841 and 1871 the population of the [Avebury] settlement virtually doubled, so that it pressed even harder on the ancient remains. Small wonder that visiting antiquarians began to refer to the village as a whole with resentment and concern, Joseph Hunter calling it a ‘vile hamlet’ in 1829 and Sir John Lubbock a ‘beautiful parasite’ in 1865...”
Not much change there then ;-) except that Lubbock, in 1872, “...when land containing some of the remaining stones was offered for sale as a potential housing development... bought some himself to block development...”
Pity there wasn’t a benefactor of similar status around to block the more recent housing development on the doorstep of the north-east quadrant.
John Lubbock (Lord Avebury) was a prolific writer wasn't he and a very knowledgeable man. I have two of his books, both epics, The History of Flowering Plants and Prehistoric Times, both brilliantly written giving you the 'feel' of the man himself and not a copier of other peoples work. As the following link will show he was a great believer in the work of Darwin in those exciting days of discovery and adventure. He seemed to put a great deal into not just his life, but to improve it for others also in various ways.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lubbock,_1st_Baron_Avebury#Lubbock_in_biology_and_archaeology
|