HISTORY OF ASTRONOMY. THE science of Astronomy being so intimately connected with that of Geography, and so beneficial in its effects to the mind of man, deserves our utmost attention, and claims our highest admiration. calamity, or at least an important event. taught between five and six hundred years, B. C., is supposed to have had a right idea of the globular form of the earth; to have invented maps and dials, to have discovered the obliquity of the ecliptic, with the equinoxes and solstices, and in conjunction with his master, Thales, to have greatly improved the arrangement of By this sublime science we are enabled to explore the whole the stars into constellations. The planets Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, universe, so far as the human eye can reach, pursue the different Venus, and Mercury, were known to the Chaldeans, but their planets in their uniform course, and the devious comet, through the motions and phenomena were not accurately observed above 200 fields of ether, and also trace the laws by which the spheres per-years before the Christian era; the zodiac of the Greeks, preform their evolutions with so much order and harmony. These con-vious to the time of Thales, is thought to have comprised only templations are worthy every rational being, and have for many the apparent paths of the sun and moon; but at that period it ages engaged the minds of the most intelligent and enlightened assumed a more perfect form, and was divided into the twelve men of every nation. Indeed, it is impossible to suppose a period, constellations, or signs of the zodiac, which are retained to this even in the infancy of the world, when the splendid objects which day; the inclinations of the orbits of the planets to the ecliptic the heavens present did not attract the attention of mankind, and was ascertained, but the nature of comets was ill understood, they incite them to observe their motions, and their influence on sub-being considered as mere transcient meteors, portending some lunary affairs. Though the heavenly bodies cannot affect the events of our lives, nor indicate to us either good or bad fortune, they regulate the seasons, the divisions of time, the latitudes and longitudes of the different portions of the globe, and a variety of things highly interesting to mankind at large, and to scientific persons in particular. Without noticing the traditions and fabulous accounts of the state of Astronomy among the antediluvians, we would merely observe, that the Assyrians, Chaldeans, and Egyptians, are the earliest people who cultivated Astronomy, of whom we have any authentic account: their opinions were, however, ex-diction. ceedingly erroneous, and mixed with some of the wildest absurdities that could enter the imaginations of men. Yet they began early to make valuable observations on the periodical motions of the heavenly bodies, and on the phenomena of occultations, eclipses, &c. of the causes of which some of the more judicious formed tolerably correct notions. Several observations on lunar eclipses were made as early as B. C. 720, which were afterwards recorded by Hipparchus, and have been transmitted to us by Ptolemy. Herodotus, and Diodorus Siculus speak of the Temple of Jupiter Belus at Babylon, and the lofty tower that surmounted it, as an observatory, from whence the Chaldeans observed the stars; the account by the latter of the golden statues that adorned it, is rather problematical and little to the purpose. The name of Pythagoras, who flourished about 590 B. C., is illustrious, not only as the founder of a sect of Philosophers, but as a sagacious observer of the heavenly bodies, besides confirming the opinion of Anaximander, that the Earth is a globe, he discovered the true System of the Universe, which ignorance and bigotry so strongly opposed, that, with the exception of a few of his immediate disciples, it was rejected as absurd and impossible; though many years after, its truth was verified beyond contra It would be occupying a space, and the reader's time unprofitably, to narrate the absurd fancies and reveries of Anaximenes, Anaxagoras, and the Greek astronomers, who published conjectures concerning the heavenly bodies, which appear to us now, not only erroneous, but ridiculous. Yet, though popular prejudice rendered it dangerous to teach the solar system, as discovered by Pythagoras, and that philosopher accordingly temporized, teaching publicly the generally received notions, and imparting the truth privately only to his confidential disciples, one of them, Philolans, boldly declared his conviction, that the Earth revolved round the Sun; prejudice was, as yet, however, too strong for reason, and it was not received. As one chief end of the study of Astronomy was to measure time with accuracy, great efforts were made to determine with precision, the apparent motions of the Sun and the real ones of the Moon, and to adjust them to each other. After numerous accu From the Chaldeans and Egyptians the science passed to the Phoenicians, who being a maritime and commercial people, studied it for the purpose of navigation; from their having sailed to high latitudes in the northern hemisphere, they had opportunities of ob-rate observations, and many futile attempts, Meton of Athens, serving stars invisible to the Chaldeans and Egyptians, and to them we are indebted for the discovery of the Polar star, so useful to direct the course of mariners, before the invention of the compass. The Greeks, ever anxious to obtain information in every thing that related to the arts and sciences, travelled into different countries for the purpose of acquiring the rudiments of knowledge, which they afterwards improved with that diligence and skill for which they were remarkable. So early as the Argonautic expeditions, B. C. 1263, it is supposed that they were acquainted with the method of arranging the stars in constellations, but whether they were the inventors of this method, or merely adopted the inventions of others, is not recorded. B. C. 430, inverted the period of nineteen years, now called the Metonic, or golden Cycle, though many learned men deny him this honour, and attribute its invention to the Chaldeans many ages previous. Though the Metonic Cycle was, at first, considered perfectly accurate, time discovered it to be defective; improvements were made in it by various succeeding astronomers, but no cycle has yet been discovered of sufficient accuracy to serve for nice computations. (To be continued.) If we consider the fixed stars as so many vast oceans of flame, Thales, the founder of the Ionic Sect, who flourished about that are each of them attended with a different set of planets, 600 B. C., was the first among the Greeks who cultivated this and still discover new firmaments, and new lights, that are much science on any thing like true principles. He explained the further in those unfathomable depths of ether, so as not to be seen Theory of Eclipses, and gave an example of the method of cul- by the strongest of our telescopes, we are lost in a labyrinth of tivating and predicting them; he taught the course of the ine-suns, and worlds, and confounded with the immensity and magquality of the days and nights. His pupil, Anaximander, who nificence of Nature,Addison. ON THE BEST MEANS OF ACQUIRING KNOWLEDGE. A. What are the best means of aequiring KNOWLEDGE? B. To him, who is really and zealously anxious to store his mind circumwith KNOWLEDGE, every minute affords time, and every stance opportunity for its attainment. The crowded city, and the sequestered bower, alike offer food for observation, analysis, and comparison, and the stately palace of the monarch, and the lily that grows before the peasant's hut, are equally pregnant with moral B. The more generally useful is that of READING, which has this one great advantage over CONVERSATION, that, by it, we become intimate with the wise of other ages, and are made familiar with the deeds of generations which have long passed away; thus receiving at once precept and example.-CONVERSATION, however, has this advantage, that by it you may be taught much upon matters not well discussed in books, or from their novelty not discussed at all. In conversation, moreover, that which, on fi st statement, appears dark, may be elucidated, and objections, being started, may be satisfied and obviated. A-Each having its peculiar advantages, which do you chiefly recommend, READING OF CONVERSATION? B.—Each having its peculiar uses both must be resorted to, by him who would improve his mind, and it is necessary to be diligent in both to make either effectually useful. A.-Diligence in READING may be desirable, but every one is diligent in CONVERSATION. will undeceive you. If you re at a loss to ascertain the nearest B.-Yet, such, or something equally unimportant, is the every day gossip of two-thirds of our acquaintance; and such it would be were BACON, NEWTON, POPE, ADDISON, and JOHNSON, their auditors. Inte whatever company you shall happen to fall, lead the discourse towards that with which your companion is most familiar, and you will at once compliment him and profit yourself. Keep moral company, ask modestly, listen attentively, treasure up what you hear, shun all idle tattle, and unmeaning gossip during the happy days of your youth, and you will acquire such a store of KNOWLEDGE as will be an advancement and a safeguard to you, when you mix in the toils of life, and enable you in your old age to be the instructor of others. ANECDOTE. He I happened the other day to call in at a celebrated coffee-nouse near the Temple. I had not been there long, when there came in an elderly man very meanly dressed, and sat down by me. had a threadbare loose coat on, which it was plain he wore to keep himself warm, and not to favour its under-suit, which seemed to have been his cotemporary. His short wig and hat were both answerable to the rest of his apparel. He was no sooner seated, than he called for a dish of tea; but, as several gentlemen in the room wanted other things, the boys of the house did not think themselves at leisure to mind him. I could observe the old fellow was very uneasy at the affront, and at his being obliged to repeat his command several times to no purpose; till at last, one of the lads presented him with some stale tea in a broken dish, accompanied with a plate of brown sugar; which so raised his indignation, that, after several obliging appellations of dog and rascal, he asked him aloud, before the whole company, why he must be used B. However much you are surprised, I assure you it is a very with less respect than that fop there, pointing to a well-dressed correct one. How much of conversation is made up of wicked and young gentleman who was drinking tea at the opposite table. The disgusting ribaldry I trust you will never know. Do you not every boy of the house replied with a great deal of pertness, that his day see persons engrossing the attention of a company and gab-master had two sorts of customers, and that the gentleman at the bling a heap of egotism, scandal, and small talk? Surely these perpetual talkers are not diligent in CONVERSATION? On the contrary, they are only busy in making a noise, and hurrying to waste B. You were never yet more mistaken, for there are very few indeed who are able to converse weli;-in short, to converse well, a vast quantity of knowledge must be first attained; which can be only attained by industry, perseverance, and attention. A-I am greatly surprised at hearing what I confess is to me quite a new proposition? time. other table had given him many a sixpence, for wiping his shoes. By this time the young templar, who found his honour concerned in the dispute, and who saw that the eyes of the whole coffee-room were upon him, had thrown aside a paper he had in his hand, A-But it is only, to say the least, ill-bred persons who engross | and was coming towards us, whilst we, at the table, made what attention, and prevent others from offering their remarks. haste we could, to get away from the impending quarrel, but were B.There are, I am sorry to say, many persons who are, in | all of us surprised to see him, as he approached nearer, put on an every other respect, perfectly well-bred, who are, nevertheless, too | air of deference and respect. To whom the old man said, “ Hark much addicted to this very unpolite practice. But I particularized you, sir! I'll pay off your extravagant bills once more; but I will it only by way of example, not as being the only abuse of CON- take effectual care, for the future, that your prodigality shall not VERSATION. There is, no doubt, however, that it is one of the spirit up a parcel of rascals to insult your FATHER.” principal obstacles to our deriving real and permanent benefit from CONVERSATION. A. To avoid the abuses of conversation is there not an art? The apple was a native of Italy; and when the Romans had tasted the richer flavor of the apricot, the peach, the pomegranate, A.-What are the best rules for conversing profitably? the citron, and the orange, they contented themselves with applyB.Good sense, politeness, and a real anxiety to obtain informa- | ing to all those new fruits the common denomination of apple, distion. The first will prevent you from introducing trifling and ridi- criminating them from each other by the additional epithet of their culous inquiries; the second will induce you carefully to avoid all | country.-Gibbon. topics which can give pain, or annoyance to others, and the third will cause you to listen attentively, and without interruption to every speaker. You will perhaps imagine that anxiety for informa tion and patient attention are incompatible, but a little reflection I am sent to the ant, to learn industry; to the dove, to learn innocency; to the serpent, to learn wisdom; and why not to the robin-red breast, who chants it as delightfully in winter as in summer, to learn equanimity and patience ?-Warwick. IMPROVED PHOTOMETER. tread upon it, until the whole is properly thrashed. It is then removed, and fresh sheaves put in; and this is repeated until the whole required thrashing is performed. Probably horses are better fitted to perform this kind of labour than oren; but we think that our young readers will agree with us in deeming the flail a better thrashing instrument than either one or the other of them. The Hottentots, however, know nothing of flails; and if they did, as they are not very partial to personal exertion of a very laborious kind, it is very likely that they would prefer their present mode of procedure. THE MOUSE. THIS humble little animal is a beautiful instance of the simple but efficacious means by which nature adapts all its creatures to the peculiar wants of their existence. Living by plunder, and surrounded by natural enemies, it requires that his organization should enable him to combat successfully against such a combination of difficulties. We accordingly find him gifted with powers especially designed for that purpose. His feet are highly elastic, and the toes curiously cushioned, like the cat, for noiseless motion. His ears are prominent and expanded, and his eyes full and brilliant; these enable him to elude the vigilance of his foes; but a more obvious instance occurs in the structure of the hind legs, which are more than double the size and strength of the fore ones, giving him the power of making those surprising leaps which the sudden spring of a stealthy cat renders so often necessary. This provision alone saves the race from extinction. THE instrument represented above is likely to become a very important auxiliary in the hands of the meteorologist. It is employed to indicate the illuminating power of any burning body by the slight elevation of temperature which results from an increase of light. It consists of a deferential thermometer, having one of its balls diaphanous, and the other coated with China ink, or rather blown of deep-black enamel. The rays which fall on the clear ball pass through it without suffering obstruction; but those which strike the dark ball are stopt and absorbed at its surface, where, assuming a latent form, they act as heat. This heat will continue to accumulate till its further increase comes to be counterbalanced by an opposite dispersion caused by the rise of temperature which the balls have acquired. At the point of equilibrium, therefore, the constant accessions of heat derived from the action of the incident light, are exactly equalled by the corresponding portions of it again abstracted in the subsequent process of cooling. But in still air, the rate of cooling is, within moderate limits, proportioned to the excess of the temperature of the heated surface above that of the surrounding medium. Hence the space through which the coloured liquid sinks in the stem will measure the momentary impressions of light, or its actual intensity. To prevent any extraneous agitation of the air from accelerating the discharge of heat from the black ball, and thereby diminishing the quantity of aggregate effect, the instrument is always sheltered, and more especially out of doors, by a thin glass case. The addition of this translucent case is quite indispensable. It not only precludes all irregular action, but maintains, around the sentient part of the in-motion of steam; and in like manner their teeth, admirably adapted strument, an atmosphere of perpetual calm. HOTTENTOT THRASHING. MANY of the customs mentioned or alluded to in scripture still obtain in some parts of the world; and some very important lights have, in consequence, been thrown upon some passages of the Old Testament by the observations made and recorded by recent travellers. * The manner in which, in ancient times, the grain was Separated from the ear, is alluded to in a manner too plain to admit of mistake, in that inhibition of scripture, "thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn." Though in most, if not all, civilized countries, this 'primitive mode of thrashing has fallen into utter desuetude through the inventions of machinery, there are some barbarous and half-civilized countries in which it is still retained. The Hottentots employ horses to thrash their grain; and the operation is thus conducted a round and perfectly level flooring, of a proper extent, being laid down, a paling, from three to four feet in height, is erected all round it. Several hundred sheaves of corn being laid upon this flooring, the horses of the farm are collected and turned in, and a man or two going in with them, keep them running over the corn, and keep it properly disposed for them t Another admirable instance of design occurs in the structure of the jaws and teeth. The few midnight hours allowed for feeding, would not have been sufficient had he been destitute of the proper tools for effecting his burglarious entrances to our cupboards. In his foraging expeditions, he has not only to steal his way through the camp of the enemy, but also to storm the citadel: his supplies lie fast locked in a close cupboard, and however much hunger may press, before he can satisfy it, he must first gnaw his way through the cupboard door. To enable him to do this, he is armed with four cutting teeth, exceedingly large and strong, but this alone would not have been an adequate provision:the mighty steam-engine is as powerless as an infant without the as they are for cutting and sawing, would have been equally use- Published by JAMES GILBERT, 228, Regent-street, and 51, Paternoster-row. GUIDE TO THE KNOWLEDGE. EDITED BY MR. W. PINNOCK, PINNOCK'S CATECHISMS," "GRAMMAR OF GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY," ETC., ETC. SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 1832. A BRIEF HISTORY OF ENGLAND. INTRODUCTION. As a knowledge of HISTORY is universally admitted to be of the greatest utility to Society, and particularly that which relates to one's native country, it is conceived, that the following brief Essay on the HISTORY OF ENGLAND will not be found inappropriately introduced into "The Guide to Knowledge;" and we hope that our readers will find it both useful and amusing. Besides, the history of our country may serve as an epitome of that of the whole world, as we are not inferior to any nation on the globe, either in Literature, Science, and Arts, or in Arms, and can boast of heroes as illustrious, and of men as eminent and transcendent in science, as any people either in ancient or in modern times. To what nobler purpose then, can we devote our leisure hours, than that of surveying the progress of our country in literature, science, and the arts, through a long course of time? What can more influence the heart with love of virtue, or excite aversion to vice, than the striking display of characters in history? In short, what better inducements can we have to make us good subjects, than a review of our inestimable privileges and liberties? Privileges that should endear the constitution of this nation to every Briton! When we consider the fortitude and wisdom of the Great Alfred; the conquering prowess of Edward the Third; the noble bravery and generosity of the Black Prince; the courage and affability of Henry the Fifth; and the unshaken firmness of Elizabeth; we are lost in surprise and admiration, and almost inclined to question the veracity of the relation. We are equally struck when we behold the exalted intrepidity of our admirals and generals; the profound abilities of our legislators and politicians; the deep researches of our philosophers; the wisdom and integrity of our judges and magistrates; and the honesty and disinterestedness of our citizens. If such, then, are the advantages resulting from the study of history, it is hoped, that every attempt to illustrate this science, will not only meet the indulgence, but also, the approbation of the public. This little work differs very materially from all others; particularly in the conciseness or its style, and in the cheap form in which it is published. We also beg to call the attention of our readers to the "Genealogical Table," which we strongly recommend should be committed to memory; and those who shall attend to our suggestion, will, we are sure, be much pleased with the result. A BRIEF HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAPTER I. THE Island of GREAT BRITAIN is situated in the Atlantic Ocean, and was, at the earliest period of its history, inhabited by barbarous nations, distinguished by the general names of Britons and Caledonians. The history of the southern portion of this island is usually denominated the "History of England," though the country did not receive that name until the time of the SAXONS. English History may be divided into twelve heads, or periods. I. That of the Britons, before the Roman invasion. II. From the arrival of the Romans in Britain, to their depar ture. This brief sketch of the History of England, will be comprised in three numbers, and the "Table" here referred to will appear as soon as the engraving can be finished. Our next No, will contain fourteen portraits. VOL. I. PRICE ONE PENNY. III. From the departure of the Romans, to the formation of the Heptarchy, or division into seven kingdoms. IV. From the formation of the Heptarchy, till their union under EGBERT, as sole monarch. V. The Suxon Dynasty from the death of EGBERT, to its temporary removal by the DANES. VI. From the usurpation of the Danes, to the restoration of the Saxon line. VII. From the restoration of the Saxons, to the Norman Conquest.. VIII. From the Norman Conquest, to the contest between the houses of York and Lancaster. IX. From the commencement of that contest, to the Union of the two houses, by the marriage of HENRY VII. X. From that event, to the extinction of the House of TUDO, by the death of ELIZABETH. XI. From the accession of JAMES I., to the expulsion of JAMES II., or the House of STUART. XII. From that period to the present time, including the Houses of Orange, Stuart, and Brunswick. In the course of which, SCOTLAND and IRELAND have been united to ENGLAND, and governed by the same legislature. CHAPTER II. The island of Great Britain, which is now so justly celebrated as the seat of wealth and freedom, is supposed to have received the name of Britain from the Isles, which the Greeks and Romans called Britannia, or the British Isles. That part of the island of Great Britain, now called England, was, in remote ages, named Albion, but the appellation was afterwards changed for that of Britain. As the manners of the southern Britons, were, in many respects, similar to those of the Gauls, they are supposed to have been of Gallic origin: those of the north assimilated more to the Germans. Some of their customs, were, however, peculiar; they wore only loose garments of skins, and stained their bodies with the juice of a weed, now called woad, which gave them a blue tint. Some adorned themselves, likewise, with rude figures of the sun, moon, stars, and animals. As the Britons practised no agriculture, they lived principally on flesh and milk; much of the former they obtained by hunting; the rest was supplied by their flocks and herds. Along the southern coasts, the Britons were partially civilized by their intercourse with the Phoenicians and Gauls, who traded with them for tin, &c. But in the interior of the country, they lived in the heart of forests, in little thatched huts, barely sufficient to shelter them from the inclemency of the weather. The Britons were warlike, and used chariots in battle, which they managed with great dexterity, driving them furiously into the enemies' ranks; they armed themselves with a small shield, lance, and Sword, but despised armour for the body. The religion of the Britons resembled that of the Gauls. Their chief deity was Tamaris, or Taran, the Thunderer. To Andate, their goddess of victory, they sacrificed their prisoners of war. British word Deru, or the Greek word Drus, each of which signifies The priests of their religion were called Druids, either from the an Oak. The Druids were the interpreters of religion, the judges of the land, and the instructors of youth. They taught the immortality of the soul, and that, at death, it passed into the body of some other new-born animal: this is called transmigration. They reverenced the Oak as the emblem of their chief deity, and resided in the gloom of forests, or of groves. The whole island was divided into a number of petty indepen G dent states, each under its own chieftain. These had frequent wars with one another, but, on the approach of a common foe, one was chosen as commander-in-chief of the whole assembled forces. After the invasion of Britain by the Romans, the Druids appear to have been peculiarly the objects of their dislike, in consequence of their using their influence with their countrymen, in stirring them up to resist their oppressors. To shun the persecutions and severities of the Roman governors, these venerable priests took shelter in the isle of Mona, now called Anglesea, whither they were pursued, and after a fierce contest, completely extirpated by Suetonius Paulinus, a. D. 61. PERIOD II. FROM THE ARRIVAL OF THE ROMANS TO THEIR DEPARTURE. under the Roman yoke, and for this purpose, sent Aulus Plautius with an army of about 20,000 men to complete its conquest. The Britains, commanded by Caractacus, made a determined resistance, but they were defeated, and their prince carried captive to Rome. After great progress had been made in the conquest of the island, by Plautius and Vespasian, the emperor himself arrived in Britain, A. D. 44, and obtained a signal victory; he staid but sixteen days, and left Plautius its governor. From this period Britain was a Roman province, for about 400 years; the inhabitants became civilized, and learnt the arts and sciences from the Romans, and were removed with the residence of several of the emperors. Constantine the Great was born at York. Britons to their own government, A. D. 410. But the Roman empire having suffered greatly from the invasion of Barbarians, and from internal commotions, the Emperor HonoJULIUS CÆSAR, a celebrated Roman general,* having sub-rius was compelled to recal his troops from Britain, and leave the jugated Gaul, now called France, was desirous of adding Britain to the Roman dominions: for this purpose he made a descent upon the island, with a strong body of troops, but, as his preparations had given the Britons an intimation of his design, he found the shore defended by a numerous army, under the command of Cassibelan, one of the patty princes of the country. On the attempt of the Romans to land, they were opposed with much vigour and resolution by the Britons, that, in spite of the advantages they possessed in their superiority of arms and discipline, they seemed little inclined to advance, and it required all the influence of Cæsar to overcome their reluctance. A long season of dependance on the Roman power, however, had so enervated this once hardy people, that they found themselves unequal to repel the cruel incursions of the northern nations, the Picts and Scots. After in vain applying for assistance from Rome, and enduring unheard of outrages from their savage invaders, their king, Vortigern, determined to solicit aid from the Saxons, and this brings us to our "THIRD PERIOD." PERIOD III. FONDATION OF THE HEPTARCHY. At length, they succeeded in repelling their half naked assailants, FROM THE DEPARTURE OF THE ROMANS, TO THE and in subsequent contests, the Britons were so completely defeated, as to induce them to sue for peace. A violent storm having shattered Cæsar's fleet, he found it convenient to accede to their request, that he might return to Gaul and repair his damaged ships. During his absence, the Britons made great preparations to oppose his return; they were, however, ineffectual. The Romans were everywhere victorious, and Cæsar burnt Verulamium, now St. Alban's, the capital of Cassibelan. Cesar, considering it imprudent to absent himself too long from Gaul, did not complete the conquest of Britain, but, after imposing an annual tribute, left the island. More important enterprises afterwards prevented his return. The civil wars of Rome, prevented any attention to the affairs of Britain for some time, and the prudent policy of the Britains, who continually sent presents and submissive messages to the emperors, served to divert the threatened danger of subjugation. At length the emperor Claudius resolved on bringing the island *The ROMANS were a celebrated people of Italy; their seat of empire was Rome. At the time of their invading Britain, they were in their highest power of glory, having then conquered all the then known world, and extended civilization into countries buried in ignorance; till sinking beneath the weight of its own greatness, their empire was divided into those sovereignties which have since flourished in Europe. The Romans harrassed Britain from about 50 B.C. till A.D. 488. Among the most celebrated of the British kings who opposed the invasion of the Romans, were Cassibelan and Caractacus. The Britons, under Caractacus, made a very obstinate resistance against the Romans, for about seven years, but were at last subdued, and their leader taken prisoner, and sent to Rome. A noble stand was also made against them by Boadicia, queen of one of the British tribes, who successfully attacked several of the Roman settlements, and entering London, already a flourishing colony, reduced it to ashes, and put to death all the settlers, to the number of 70,000. Suetonius, however, shortly after, avenged their death, in a decisive battle with the British heroine, wherein 80,000 of her followers perished, and Boadicia, to avoid falling into the hands of her victor, destroyed herself by poison. Many of the once celebrated Roman cities, which flourished in Britain, are now fallen into decay and into dust; one of these is Silchester, near Kingsclear, in Hampshire, where cornfields and pastures cover the spot once adorned with public and private buildings, all of which are now wholly destroyed! Like the busy crowds who inhabited them, the edifices have sunk beneath the fresh and silent greensward; but the flinty wall which surrounded the city is yet firm, and the direction of the streets may be discerned by the difference of tint in the herbage, and the ploughman turns up the medals of the Cæsars, so long dead and forgotten, who were once the masters of the WORLD. The most ancient historian of the Britons is Gildas, who was the son of one of the British kings. The SAXONS* were a people of Germany, celebrated for their ferocity, and terrible for their piracies and cruelty; yet such was the dreadful situation of Britain, that it was thought advisable to seek the aid of defenders like these. The invitation of VORTIGERN was eagerly accepted, and IIENGIST and HORSA, two valiant chiefs, with their followers, came to his assistance, drove back the invaders, and received as a recompence, the Isle of Thanet. Allured by the agreeable settlement these adventurers had acquired, great numbers of their countrymen came over, and soon became as formidable to the BRITONS as the PICTS and SCOTS had been. Too late sensible of their error, the Britons attempted to oppose those new tyrants, but they were everywhere defeated, and their country was ravaged with fire and sword. In one of these contests Horsa was slain. Amongst those who boldly opposed the inroads of the Saxous was the celebrated king ARTHUR, of whose exploits we have long avail against the numerous swarms of Saxons that continually many fabulous accounts; but his valour and conduct could not battle. The remnant of the Britons, therefore, took refuge in arrived from Germany, and supplied the loss of those that fell in the rest of the country. WALES and CORNWALL, and left their invaders in possession of The conquest of Britain was not, however, an easy achievement; it occupied many years, and the different chieftains, as they became masters of an extensive territory, erected it into a kingdom. At length, the whole of the kingdom was parcelled into Seven Kingdoms-Kent, Sussex, Essex, Wessex, Mercia, East Anglia, and Northumberland: these were called, from their number, the Heptarchy. arrived from Rome, to convert the Saxons to Christianity. EthelAbout A.D., 570, St. Augustine, with some other missionaries, bert, king of KENT, gave them a favourable reception, and soon became a convert, and many of his subjects quickly followed his example. Obs. During the contentions of the Sarons with the Britons, the *The Saxons originally were a tribe of Scandinavians, who, in the decline of the Roman Empire, settled in the northern parts of Germany, under the several names of Sarons, Angles, and Jutes, or Danes; hence, it will be observed, that the above people, by whom Britain was subdued, originally constituted but one nation, speaking the same language, and ruled by monarchs who all claimed their descent from the deified monarch of the Teutons, Woden or Oden. The Jutes dwelt in the peninsula of Jutland, the Angles in Holstein; but the Saxons were more widely dispersed throughout the northern parts of Germany. |