A. D. 1755, at the age of ninety-three, may be ranked among the greatest and best of those who have adorned the episcopal character. His acts of benevolence, and his judicious improvements in agriculture, learning, and morals throughout his diocese, are too many to enumerate. He was an ornament to human nature. Cardinal Fleury, so highly venerated his character, that out of regard to his virtues, he obtained an order from the court of France, that the Isle of Man should not suffer any depredations from privateers, or other armed vessels of that nation. The inhabitants of this island, who may amount to about 30,000, are inoffensive, hospitable, and remarked for simplicity of manners. The language is radically Erse or Irish, but the gentry speak English. The exports are wool, hides, and tallow; the imports a small quantity of various foreign commodities. The Runic inscriptions and monuments yet to be seen, and the brass daggers and other weapons partly of that metal, and partly of pure gold, which are sometimes dug up, seem to indicate the splendour of this small island, when governed by chiefs of the Danish or Norwegian race.

.. These are the only considerable islands near the English coast, those of Scilly being little else than a cluster of dangerous rocks, to the number of about 140, at the distance of thirty miles from the Land's End, in Cornwall, fatally remarkable for the destruction of ships and mariners; and rendered memorable by the shipwreck of Admiral Sir Cloudsley Shovel, who perished there in October 1707.

HISTORICAL VIEW.

England was first known to the Phoenicians, who traded hither for tin, at a very remote period of antiquity; and is supposed to have received from them the name of Britannia, expressive of that article, which was then the staple of its commerce. Its earliest inhabitants, undoubtedly, came from

the opposite coasts of France and Flanders, which were first peopled by the Gauls or Celts. The first authentic information respecting this country, is received from Julius Cæsar,

who invaded Britain, A. A. C. 55. Cæsar informs us that 5 5

the primitive inhabitants were driven into the interior; while the maritime provinces, on the south-east part of the island, were occupied by the Belga.* The Britons, at that period, are mostly considered as being in a state of absolute barbarism; but a judicious examination of Cæsar's narrative, will convince us, that although they had made no great advancement in civilization, yet they were far above the rank of savages. They had established systems of government, and the country was divided into a number of sovereignties. On the Roman invasion Cassivellannus was invested with the supreme authority. Their military discipline was far from being contemptible. They had regular forces, consisting of war chariots as well as of infantry. Cæsar allows that they fought, not only with a dauntless courage and steady resolution, but also with astonishing skill and dexterity.

The most remarkable feature in the history of the ancient Britons, was their religion, managed by the Druids. No sacerdotal body ever ruled with more despotic sway, or maintained a more absolute control over the minds and bodies of men. The Druids were the senators who directed all public affairs, and the magistrates who decided all private controversies. They were also the instructors of the people, who received, with implicit belief, whatever opinions they thought fit to inculcate.

As far as Druidism can be investigated, it appears to have been a mixture of polytheism with theism. The Druids, like all other philosophical pagans, acknowledged one supreme and self-existent being, with a number of inferior divinities. Among these the principal was the god of war, whom they worshiped with barbarous rites, and endeavoured to render propitious with human sacrifices. They not only inflicted severe penalties in this world, but also inculcated the trans

* Comm. lib. 5, cap. 16.

migration of souls; and thereby extended their influence to varied scenes of existence beyond the grave. They retained in their hands the formidable engine of excommunication, which involved an exclusion from the joys of a future state, and the infliction of eternal punishments. By these means they extended their authority as far as imagination could carry its fears, and maintained an uncontrolled dominion over their votaries. No system of superstition was ever more horrible than theirs; none ever better calculated to impress ignorance with awful terror; and to extort implicit obedience from a deluded people.

With respect to civilization, the Britons seem to have been nearly on a level with the Gauls, the Germans, and other nations of the middle and northern parts of Europe, at that remote period. Agriculture was not unknown among them, they produced corn for their support, and kept various animals for food.

It does not appear that the Britons had either gold or silver among them. The precious metals, indeed, were at that time exceedingly scarce in all those parts of Europe that were distant from Rome, and unsubdued by her arms. The Britons, in their traffic, used instead of money, either rings or small plates of iron. That they had foreign commerce is certain; for besides their Phoenician traffic, the inhabitants of Gaul traded to Britain, in vessels of considerable size.

After the retreat of Julius Cæsar from this island, the civil wars so completely occupied his attention, that he thought no more of Britain; and, for almost a century after, its inhabitants were subject only to their own princes, and governed by their own laws. The Romans, however, still retained their claim, founded on Cæsar's expedition and the Britons, for the sake of peace and free intercourse with Gaul, endeavoured to preserve their friendship, by paying a small tribute. The reign of Claudius forms the epoch from whence the Roman power, in this island, dates its commencement. In less than twenty years, a regular correspondence with Rome was commenced, and all the marks of an active commerce appeared. The most eminent persons were the first in adopting Roman manners,

and the petty princes of Britain contributed to enslave themselves, by their imitation of these polished strangers. The Druids alone, among whom all power had concentrated, made every effort to excite the people to rebellion against their new masters. They saw, with regret, the subversion of the ancient constitution, and the consequent extinction of their own power and influence. Their exhortations having great effect on superstitious minds, Suetonius Paulinus, Nero's lieutenant, resolved on their extirpation, and marched to attack the Isle of Mona, now Anglesea, in which was situated their most celebrated sanctuary, and their last retreat. While he was on this expedition, Boadicea headed an insurrection against the RoHer fury was first directed against the Roman colony of Verulam, now St. Alban's, which she took by assault, putting all to the sword. Her arms were equally successful against several other cities, which experienced the same treat

mans.

ment.

But Paulinus, on his return, defeated her army, and saved the remainder of the Romans.

The Britons, by repeated insurrections, continued, during many years their struggle for national independence. At length Julius Agricola, with a powerful army, reduced to subjection the greatest part of the island, and secured, by a judicious policy, what his arms had subdued. He also resumed the expedition against Mona, and accomplished the destruction or expulsion of the Druids. Gaining by his affability the affections of the people, he disposed them to adopt Roman manners, by conferring on them the name and privileges of citizens; receiving them into his armies; raising them to military promotion; and distinguishing them by honorary rewards, and well timed applause. This great man was indeed the conqueror and the legislator of Britain. Agricola penetrated as far as the Firth of Murray, and defeated the whole force of the Caledonians, under their king Galgacus. The people now entirely conformed to the Roman customs; studied the Latin language; and were governed by the Roman laws. The temples, palaces, baths, and all other edifices, public and private, were constructed after the Roman manner.

The inhabitants considered themselves as Romans, and regarded their unsubdued countrymen as barbarians.

The Romans made numerous and great improvements, and the Britons were pleased with their situation, and the comforts which it produced. Many of the emperors had a particular regard to the welfare of the province. Walls or intrenchments, were at different periods made for its defence against the inroads of the unsubdued nations in the northern parts. Trajan caused the roads to be completed; and thus rendered the intercourse between the stations easy, safe, and commodious. Adrian visited Britain; and, during his residence in the island, took the most effectual measures for its security, by constructing that famous wall or rampart, which extended frow New Castle to Carlisle.

To protect its inhabitants against the northern marauders, Severus himself came into Britain. This emperor, having repulsed the Caledonians, and repaired the wall of Adrian, died at York. In all the subsequent commotions of the Roman state, Britain had a very considerable share, and several of the commanders, in this distant province, assumed the imperial title and dignity. Constantius Chlorus, after reducing the maritime provinces of Gaul, landed in Britain, and restored the prosperity and peace of the island. Constantius being legally invested with the imperial dignity, resided at York; where, after a long and splendid reign, he died universally lamented. In that city, Constantine his son, was saluted emperor by the army. By his transcendent abilities he obtained the undisputed sovereignty of the whole Roman world; and Divine Providence rendered him the instrument of establishing and extending Christianity. Constantius, who was an enlightened and liberal minded Pagan, had, by the protection of his Christian subjects, rendered Britain an assylum for those of them, who, in the time of the great persecution under Dioclesianus, Maximianus, and Galerius, fled to it for refuge. But Constantius proceeded farther; and, by establishing the Christian religion throughout the whole empire, acquired a lasting celebrity.

A variety of events, similar to those that are recorded in