I have as yet no doubt but the old iron blade which you was to kind as to shew to me this morning is that of a Roman sword, and most probably a legionary gladius; for although its length is full nineteen inches, from where the cross piece of the Handle was fixed on it to the point, which is rather longer than Roman gladii appear to have been, from the greater part of bassi rilievi, yet that is by no means any conclusive proof against its being genuine, because it is highly probable that the blades of these swords were at different times made with a little variation in the length, and also in the breadth and shape; as indeed is evident from the figures of many Roman swords on antient sculptures &c. But the arguments which chiefly induce me to conclude that yours is Roman, although perhaps of the lower empire, are, 1st, that it is of iron, of which when hardened, or what is now called steel, I believe the Roman blades were generally, if not constantly made.