ENGLISH HISTORY

CHAPTER I.

FIFTY FIVE years before the birth of Christ, Julius Caesar, the Roman general, was in Gaul. That country, now called France, is separated from the island of Great Britain by a channel so narrow in one place, between Dover and Calais, that the white cliffs of Dover are discernible from the opposite coast.

Cornwall, at the western extremity of the island, is still famous for its tin mines, and this metal was as useful to the ancients as it is to us. The merchants of the Mediterranean, from a period not exactly ascertained, had trafficked in tin with the Britons, and the features of the country were become familiar to the mariners who went thither in the age of Cæsar.

By their means Britain was made known to the Romans, and when Cæsar was in Gaul, he thought it desirable to get possession of that country. With the Romans, without regard to the rights and feelings of those they dispossessed, to desire and to seize was almost the same impulse, and without caring for the sufferings of the inoffensive inhabitants of the long-neglected island, the Roman general invaded their shores.

With a force which he deemed sufficient to B. C. 55. conquer the island, Cæsar sailed from Gaul to the British coast, but it is said that, on approaching Dover, the number and ferocious appearance of the natives rather daunted the Romans, so that they landed at Deal where the shore is flat, and they could more easily cope

What separates Gaul from Britain?

By what circumstances were the people of Europe made acquainted with Britain?

Had the Romans just notions of the rights of men?
When and where did Cæsar land in Britain?

with the natives, who attempted to prevent their landing which, however, the Romans effected.

The Britons, though slightly clothed, appear to have had at that time some knowledge of the art of defence and the use of metal, for they had war-chariots drawn by horses, and sharp scythes fixed to the axletrees of their wheels, which were very destructive in battle, nor did they fly from the invincible Romans without a struggle against their encroachments. Cæsar obtained little by the invasion of Britain, but from his time it is probable that a Roman garrison was stationed there, and that the Latin language was introduced. Perhaps some of the customs and arts of civilized people were also introduced and tribute may have been paid to the conquerors.

It is related by the older historians of Britain that the Romans were at first opposed by a British general named Cassibelan, (sometimes written Cassivelaunus,) and that a nephew of this general, at enmity with Cassibelan, became such a favorite of the Romans that he was sent to Rome to be educated. This youth, named Cymbeline, says the story, was caressed by Augustus, and called the friend of the Roman people.

In the early age of Roman conquests, the Romans were exceedingly cruel to their captives, but in later times they altered their policy. They liked to have hereditary princes of partially conquered countries come to their capital, and dwell there, that they might learn their language and laws, and respect their power; and, when they should return to their own land, they might dispose their subjects to submit to their wiser conquerors. The invasion of the Romans was the first introduction of civilization among the Britons. The southern part of the island, since called Britain, was then Albion; and its northern portion, the present Scotland, was Caledonia. The southern country was divided among independent tribes of whom the chief were the Iceni, the Trinobantes, and the Silures.

What were the means of defence used by the Britons?
What were the first results of Cæsar's invasion?

Did the Romaus show any favor to the Britons?

Was the Roman policy humanized as its power was extended
What were the ancient divisions of Britain?

A. D. 43.

The Roman emperors for nearly a century paid little attention to Britain, but ninety.

Aulus Plautius.

seven years after the invasion of Cæsar, an army of fifty thousand men was sent thither under the command of The Britons defended themselves and their country with great bravery; but their imperfect skill in the art of war could not withstand the Roman power and discipline.

The last of the British princes who resisted the Romans was Caractacus. After several battles he was defeated, taken prisoner, and carried to Rome. In Rome, Caractacus, with his captive wife and children, were compelled to walk in chains through the streets; and the emperor and empress, and the inhabitants of that great city generally, being accustomed to such spectacles, were not probably much affected with this, which would so deeply grieve and offend us of the present more humane age of the world.

Caractacus did not submit tamely to this indignity, and made such a moving speech to the emperor, that he ordered his fetters to be taken off, and ever afterwards treated him with kindness. The Romans, notwithstanding their victories in Britain, advanced slowly in gaining possession of the island. They had only built a few castles, or forts, and established one military colony, when Suetonius Pau. linus, a great general, resolved to finish the conquest

To convey a proper notion of the enterprise of Suetonius, it is necessary here to describe briefly the religion of the ancient Britons, for it was connected with their government, and aided resistance to their foreign enemies. According to Goldsmith, "The religion of the Britons was one of the most considerable parts of their government; and the Druids, who were the guardians of it, possessed great authority among them. No species of superstition was ever more terrible than theirs; besides the severe penalties which they were permitted to inflict in this world, they inculcated

What happened in Britain, A. D. 43?

Who was the British prince carried captive to Rome?
How was Caractacus finally treated by the Roman emperor?
Who were the Druids, and what were their doctrines?

the doctrine of transmigration of souls, and thus extended their authority as far as the fears of their votaries.

They sacrificed human victims, which they burned in large wicker idols, made so capacious as to contain a multitude of persons at once, who were thus consumed together To these rites, tending to impress ignorance with awe, they added the austerity of their manners, and the simplicity of their lives. They lived in woods, caves, and hollow trees; acorns and berries constituted their general food, and their usual beverage was water. By these arts they were not only respected, but almost adored by the people."

The sacrifices of human victims implies a horrible reli gious faith, but it does not appear to be wholly inconsistent with fine qualities of mind and heart. The sacrifice of Jephtha's daughter, mentioned in the Hebrew scriptures, and that of Iphigenia by the Greeks, were induced by false notions of God. To give him the dearest of our possessions, may seem to ignorant men the most acceptable service, and those who were capable of such acts, often entertained sentiments of true devotion and humanity.

The Druids worshipped in the open air; and there still remain in England, circles of stones laid upon the surface of the ground, which, it is supposed, enclosed their sanctuaries. The oak was their favourite tree, and the mistletoe a parasitic plant, or one which grows upon trees, was used in their rites, and respected as a symbol of their faith. Some of the English poets regard the character of the Druids as that of simple-hearted and uncorrupted men, fond of contemplating the works of God.

Seutonius thought the most effectual way to establish the Roman power in Britain, was to extirpate the Druids, and therefore attacked their chief seat, the island of Anglesea, and got possession of it, and scattered the Druids and their attendants, and the bards or sacred poets, who assisted in their worship, and were highly reverenced by the native

What were some of the practices of the Druids?
What could induce men to offer human sacrifices?
What was the druidical worship?

What was the end of the Druids in Britain?

Britons. Probably many of the Druids and Bards were killed by the Roman soldiers.

The Romans boasted that their law " gave license to all faiths," that is they permitted to all conquered people the exercise of their former worship, whatever it was; and they may be vindicated in extirpating the religion of the Druids, contrary as the measure was to their accustomed policy, because it consisted partly of human sacrifices, which humanity abhors, and which no power on earth should tolerate.

One bold spirit yet remained to be subA. D. 60. dued, and then the last of the Britons yielded to the Roman power. Boadicea, queen of the Iceni, held cut against the enemy with a British army of 80,000 men under her command, and was opposed by the inferior force of 10,000 under Suetonius. But in this encounter the military skill of the foreign foe prevailed over the desperate but undisciplined valor of the natives.

Boadicea was overcome with anguish and despair when she saw her countrymen scattered, and murdered, and made prisoners. The Romans showed no respect to the unfortunate princess when she fell into their hands, but cruelly insulted her, and beat her with rods. Overwhelmed with her own misery, and the subjugation of her country, she put an end to her existence.

Boadicea's heroism has often been admired, and her misfortunes pitied in succeeding times. That she had not firmness to live, and bear whatever calamity awaited her, was owing to her ignorance of Christianity, which enjoins perfect submission to every evil however great or unde served.

The Romans now easily established themselves all over Britain, and built towns and castles, and were entire masters of the country. Agricola, one of their generals, was a good, as well as a brave man, and prevailed with the natives to learn useful arts, and encouraged them to live in towns,

Did the Romans respect the religion of conquered nations generally and what ir, some sort justifies their severity to the Druids?

In what battle did Suetonius finally overcome the Britons ?

What was the death of Boadicea?

What religion enjoins submission to misfortunes?
What was the character of Agricola ?