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MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE BRITONS.

life. To the north, the people were mere savages--using the undressed hides of cattle for clothing, and tattooing their skins for ornament.

5. The women, like those of our present savages, were practised to basket-making, the material being the twigs of willows. They also sewed together the skins of animals for dress; their thread being made of leather or vegetable fibres, and their needles of pieces of bone.

6. Such was the condition of the people, when Julius Cæsar, having completed the subjugation of Gaul, now called France, began to think of adding the island of Britain to his conquests. The white chalk cliffs of Dover, from which Britain had also the name of Albion, could be seen from the coast of Gaul, and as Cæsar's ambition knew no bounds, he doubtless thought that this strange country invited him to its conquest.

7. Having made up his mind to undertake an expedition against it, he assembled the merchants who had traded to Britain for hides and tin, and made inquiry respecting the manners, customs, and power of the people of that island, and such other matters as would be interesting to him in his present situation.

8. The precise answer which the merchants gave to these questions is not recorded. Neither the people of Gaul nor of Britain could write, nor had they any books. Cæsar himself, who was an author, as well as a soldier, has told us almost all that we know about them. It appears, however, that the reply of the merchants of whom he made inquiries, was substantially as follows:

9. "The people of Britain have blue eyes, and very fair complexions. They are tall and stout, and remarkable for their strength. Their bodies are often ornamented with figures of various animals. For this purpose they submit to a very painful operation. The figure is pricked upon the skin with sharp needles, and then a blue dye, made of a plant called woad, is rubbed in.

10. "Most of them wear no clothing except the skin of an animal which is thrown over the shoulders, and fastened at the breast by a thorn or a sharp-pointed stick. Many of them have flocks and herds, and live upon meat, or on such fruits and plants as the earth produces without cultivation.

11. "The principal drink is milk, but they have also a fermented liquor prepared from honey, and called mead, of which they are very fond. They live in winter in holes in the ground, and in summer in huts made of stakes stuck in the earth, interwoven with osiers, and covered with the boughs of trees.

12. "They are a very hospitable people. The stranger no sooner enters the door than water is presented to him to wash his feet. If he uses it, and at the same time gives his arms to the master of the house, it is understood that he means to pass the night. This creates joy throughout the family.

of the people? 5. What of the women? 6. Why was England called Albion? What of Cæsar? 7. What did he do? 8. To whom are we chiefly indebted for our knowledge of the early Britons? 9. What of their persons? 10. Clothing? Food? 11. Drink?

INVASION OF BRITAIN BY THE ROMANS.

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13. "A feast is prepared. The company sit in a circle upon the ground, with a little hay, grass, or the skins of animals, spread under them. Each person takes the meat set before him in his hands, and tears it to pieces with his teeth. If it proves too tough for this, he uses the knife which is placed in the centre for the common benefit. The meat is served up in dishes made of wood, or earthenware, or in baskets made of osiers.

14. "The feast is enlivened by the music of the harp. Sometimes the great men give feasts, and he is the most popular who gives the greatest. These last until all the provisions are consumed, frequently for several days. A great prince once gave an entertainment, which was kept up without interruption for a whole year, and to which all comers were welcome.

15. “But you Romans are more interested in knowing what are their weapons of war, and means of defence. They use a shield, and a dagger, and a short spear; to the lower end of the latter is fastened a bell, which they shake to frighten the horses of their enemies. In battle they make use of chariots with scythes fastened to the axletrees; they are drawn by two horses, and driven furiously among their enemies, inflicting horrible wounds, whilst the warrior hurls his spears." Such was the information Cæsar obtained, and it gave a true account of the condition of the original inhabitants of Britain.

CHAPTER III.

Invasion of Britain by the Romans.

1. WE may suppose that Cæsar had little dread of meeting such a savage people as the Britons would seem to have been, with his well-disciplined troops. He probably learnt, too, that the people were divided into many small tribes, governed by independent rulers, who did not agree very well among themselves.

2. He embarked his troops at Calais, and in a few hours reached the coast of Britain, near Dover. Sailing to the north about eight miles, he determined to land near Deal. The Britons had heard of his coming, and were assembled to prevent his landing. Their painted bodies gave them a most terrific appearance, and their savage yells made even the Romans hesitate to attack them.

3. At last a standard-bearer jumped into the sea, and advanced with the eagle, which was the Roman standard, towards the enemy, crying aloud, "Follow me, soldiers, unless you will betray the Roman eagle into the hands of the enemy. I, at least, will discharge my duty to Cæsar and to my country.”

Houses? 12. Hospitality? 13. The feast? 14. Music? Feasts given by great men? 15. Weapons of war?

III.-1. What of the government of Britain? 2. Where did Cæsar land? What of his Troops? 3. What roused the spirit of the troops? 4. What success had Cæsar?

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INVASION OF BRITAIN BY THE ROMANS.

4. Animated by this speech, and excited by his example, the sol diers plunged into the sea, and waded to the land, in spite of all the Britons could do. Cæsar remained about three weeks upon the island, during which he gained many battles. He then granted a peace to the Britons, upon condition that they should pay tribute to the Roman people.

5. The Britons neglected to perform their engagements, and in the year 54, B. C., Cæsar again invaded the island. Landing, as before, at Deal, he advanced into the country. The Britons had now united their forces under one chief, named Cassivelaunus. Still they were defeated in every battle.

6. Having brought the people to submission, and compelled them to give him many of their chief men as hostages-that is, security for the performance of their engagements-Cæsar returned to Rome. 7. As no troops were left in Britain to maintain the authority of Rome, the Britons soon threw off all marks of subjection, and the tribute remained unpaid. The civil dissensions among the Romans themselves, long prevented their taking any measures to compel the payment.

8. An intercourse was, however, kept up with Rome. Many of the chief persons of Britain visited that city, and some of the young men were educated there. By this means the Britons began to improve in their manners and habits.

9. The mantle of skins was replaced by one of cloth, and close trowsers were introduced. They likewise adopted a vest, a tunic, fitting tight to the body and reaching just below the waist. Their

When did Cæsar return to Britain? The result? 7. What of the obedience of the Britons? 8. What effect had their intercourse with Rome? 9. What change in dress! 10. What of their money' 11. Their vessels?

INVASION OF BRITAIN BY THE ROMANS.

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shoes were still made of the skin of some animal, with the hair outwards.

10. They also began to coin money. For some ages the trade of Britain had been carried on by barter or exchange. When metals were first used as money, their value was determined by weight. The seller having agreed to accept a certain quantity of gold or silver for his goods, the buyer cut off that quantity from the piece of that metal in his possession, and, having weighed it, delivered it to the seller, and received the goods.

11. The invasion of the Romans had made the Britons acquainted with the use of tools; and stout galleys took the place of the frail boats made of osiers and the flexible branches of trees, covered with skins of oxen, in which they had hitherto navigated the stormy seas around their islands.

CHAPTER IV.

Caractacus.-The Druids.-London destroyed.-Boadicea defeated.

1. Ar length, in the year 43 after the birth of Christ, being 97 years from the first invasion by Cæsar, the Romans determined tc make another attempt to conquer Britain. An army of 50,000 men was collected and sent into the island, under the command of Aulus Plautius.

2. The Britons fought bravely for their liberty, but could not

IV.-1. When was the third Rorian invasion of Britain? 2. Who commanded the

withstand the Roman discipline. Their principal chief, named Caractacus, and his family, were taken prisoners. They were all sent to Rome, and the king, his wife, and his two daughters, were made to walk through the streets loaded with chains.

3. Observing the splendor of the great city, Caractacus could not forbear exclaiming, "Alas! how is it possible that people possessed of such magnificence at home, should envy me my humble cottage in Britain ?"

4. Notwithstanding their victories, the Romans made little progress in the conquest of the island. Suetonius Paulinus, one of their most skilful generals, resolved to adopt a new method. He observed that the Druids were the most inveterate enemies of the Romans, and that it was their influence which kept up the spirit of the people.

5. The Druids were the priests and law-givers of the Britons. The chiefs commanded the forces in time of war, but all other power was in the hands of the Druids. The laws of the Britons were composed in verse, and the only record of them was in the memory of the Druids. The old taught them to the young, and thus the knowledge of them was kept up from one generation to another.

6. So great was the veneration in which they were held, that when two hostile armies, with daggers drawn, and spears extended, were about to engage in battle, the request of the Druids was sufficient to calm their rage, and to induce them to sheath their daggers, and separate in peace.

7. The Druids believed that it was displeasing to the Deity to worship within walls, or under roofs. They worshipped, therefore,

Britons? What was his fate? 4. What of the Druids? 5. Who were they? What of the laws of Britain? 6. What of the influence of the Druids? 7, 8. Their temples?