DESTRUCTION OF LONDON.

19

in the open air in groves of particular trees. The favorite was the strong and spreading oak, and in all their ceremonies they were crowned with garlands of its leaves.

8. In the centre of the grove was a space enclosed with one or two rows of large stones set upright in the ground. In the centre stood the altar upon which sacrifices were offered. When they wished to erect a temple of particular magnificence, they laid stones of prodigious weight on the tops of the upright pillars, thus forming a kind of circle in the air, which added much to the grandeur. Some of these temples yet remain; the most perfect is at Stonehenge.

9. The office of Druid was held by women as well as by men; the former took part in all the public ceremonies; to them was assigned the horrible duty of plunging the knife into the breast of the victim prepared for the sacrifice. The victims were not sheep and oxen alone, but the prisoners taken in war were considered as a most acceptable offering.

10. The principal residence of the Druids was in the little island of Anglesea. Suetonius resolved to make himself master of this stronghold. The Britons endeavored to prevent the landing of his troops. The women and priests mingled with the soldiers on the shore, and running about with burning torches in their hands, and tossing their long hair, they terrified the astonished Romans more by their shrieks and howlings, than by the appearance of the armed forces.

11. But the Romans soon recovered their spirits, and, marching boldly forward, speedily put an end to all resistance. Meanwhile the Britons took advantage of the absence of Suetonius. Headed by Boadicea, a brave queen, they attacked and destroyed the Roman settlements. There were many of these which were quite flourishing. London, which at the first invasion was a forest, had now become a rich and populous city.

12. Suetonius was obliged to abandon this place to the fury of the Britons. It was entirely destroyed, and more than 70,000 Romans and other strangers were put to death. But he soon had a most cruel revenge; with his little army of 10,000 men, he attacked the Britons, and left 80,000 of them dead upon the field of battle. Boadicea, in despair at this defeat, poisoned herself.

CHAPTER V.

Agricola. The Scots and Picts.-The Roman Wall.—Christianity introduced.

1. THE Romans now easily established themselves all over Britain and built towns and castles, and were entire masters of the country

9. Were the Druids always men? What part did the women take in the ceremonies? 10. Where did they principally reside? What did Suetonius do? How did the inhabitants of the island act? 11. What was the result? What did the Britons do in the absence of the Romans? What of London? 12. What revenge did Suetonius have?

20

THE SCOTS AND PICTS.

Julius Agricola, one of their generals, was a very good, as well as a brave man. He took great pains to reconcile the Britons to the Roman government, by introducing their arts and sciences. He encouraged them to engage in agriculture, which the Romans considered the most honorable employment. He also persuaded them to learn the Latin language.

2. He succeeded so well in his endeavors, that the Britons soon came to esteem it a privilege to be a part of the Roman empire. Indeed, they derived other advantages besides the increase of comfort which a knowledge of the Roman arts had brought them.

3. The northern part of the island, called Caledonia, and now Scotland, was inhabited by the Scots and Picts, a wild and warlike people, who made incursions into the country of Britain, and after destroying everything that came in their way, retired into their bleak and barren mountains.

4. Whenever they ventured to stand a battle in the open field, they were defeated by the Romans; but they seldom did this. They generally retired as the Roman troops advanced. As soon as the latter were withdrawn from their neighborhood, they again commenced their depredations.

5. Agricola caused a line of forts to be built across Scotland, thus shutting out the marauders. The country now enjoyed peace for many years, during which the Romans occupied themselves in making roads, many of which are still remaining; and in building strong and massive castles, the ruins of which are still to be seen.

6. But the forts did not prove a sufficient defence against the Picts and Scots, who renewed their incursions upon the more cultivated parts of the island. The Emperor Adrian, who visited Britain, caused a rampart of earth to be erected. This, however, proved too weak, and in the year 207 the Emperor Severus came to Britain, with a determination to conquer Caledonia.

7. The nature of the country, and the bravery of the people, prevented his succeeding; so he contented himself with building an immense stone wall, twelve feet high, and eight feet thick, quite across the country, from the river Tyne to the Solway Frith, many parts of which are still to be seen.

8. For a long time everything went on so quietly, that little mention is made of the affairs of this island by any historian. The people were governed by Roman officers, called legates, or vicars. Among the benefits which the conquerors bestowed on Britain, was the introduction of Christianity, which there is reason to believe had made considerable progress before the end of the first century.

2. What success

V.-1. What of Julius Agricola? What did he do for the Britons? had he? 3. What was the northern part of the island called? By whom inhabited? 4. What of the Scots and Picts? 5. What did Agricola do to restrain them? How did the Romans occupy themselves? 6. What new means were tried to keep off the Picts and Scots? What of the Emperor Severus? 8. What was the state of the island after Severus? What of Christianity?

SUFFERINGS OF THE BRITONS.

21

CHAPTER VI.

The Romans abandon Britain.—Dreadful Sufferings of the Britons.

1. ABOUT the year 448, the Romans were compelled to withdraw their troops from the distant provinces, and, among the rest, from Britain, to defend their city against the barbarous tribes of the north of Europe.

2. Before the Romans left the island, they repaired the wall built by Severus. But as walls are of very little use without brave and well-armed men to defend them, the Roman general instructed the Britons in the art of making and of using the several kinds of arms.

3. He then departed with his troops, telling the people that, as they would never again have assistance from the Romans, they had better learn to take care of themselves. Thus the Romans quitted the island, after having had possession of it nearly 500 years, if we reckon from the first invasion of Julius Cæsar.

4. Liberty proved anything but a blessing to the Britons. They were as helpless as so many children turned loose upon the world. They had so long been accustomed to rely upon the Romans for defence as well as for government, that they knew not how to set about either.

5. The Picts and the Scots, learning that the island was deserted by the Romans, approached the wall of Severus. They found it in complete repair, and apparently well defended by armed Britons. But these had profited little by the instructions of their late masters, and they fled at the first attack.

6. The savage invaders now ravaged the whole country. They were like wolves let into a sheep-fold. The wretched Britons fled from their comfortable houses, and sought a refuge in the forests and mountains. Afraid to venture forth to cultivate their fields, they suffered all the horrors of famine.

7. The land being now barren, and nothing to be gained, the Picts and Scots ceased from their incursions for several years. The Britons who had survived the calamities of their country, once more began ploughing and sowing, and the next year there was an abundant harvest. No sooner did the rapacious Scots hear of it, than they all came rushing into Britain.

8. The Britons, for a third time, sent to the Romans to come and help them, and despatched a letter to Aetius, the governor of Gaul: "To Aetius, thrice Consul. The groans of the Britons. The barbarians drive us to the sea; the sea throws us back on the swords of the barbarians: so we have nothing left but the wretched choice

VI.-1. When did the Romans withdraw from Britain? 2. What did they do for the defence of the Britons? 3. How long had they possessed the island? 4. What of the Britons? 5. The Scots and Picts? 6. How did they treat the Britons? 7. What caused them to suspend their incursions? Why did they renew them? 8. What did the Britons do?

22

22

ACCOUNT OF THE SAXONS.

of being either drowned or butchered." This melancholy letter dia no good, but they received assistance from another quarter, as you shall presently hear.

1. AT the time of which we are now speaking, the shores of the Baltic Sea were inhabited by several tribes of people, nearly in a savage state. In France, and in those parts of the continent of Europe which had been subject to Rome, they were called by the common name of Men of the North, or Normans; amongst themselves they were distinguished by various names, such as Saxons, Danes, and many others.

2. These people were the terror of all the more civilized countries. Launching their light boats, which were made of osiers, covered with skins sewed together, they suffered the wind to blow them to any foreign coast. Landing there, they spread devastation over a wide extent of country, and then returned home laden with booty. 3. It so happened that, in the year 448, during one of their piratical expeditions, a party of about 300 Saxons, under two leaders named Hengist and Horsa, landed in Britain, just at the time when the people were suffering from the ravages of the Scots.

4. Vortigern, a prince of the Britons, advised his countrymen to

VII.-1. Who were the Normans? 2. What is said of their expeditions? 3. When did Hengist and Horsa land in Britain? 4. How did the Britons receive them? 5. What

ACCOUNT OF THE SAXONS.

23

entreat aid from these strangers. This was readily granted. Joining their forces, the Britons and Saxons marched against the Scots, who were defeated and driven back.

5. The Saxons, seeing the agreeable nature of the country, began to covet the possession of it for themselves. Sending for more of their countrymen, they fell upon the unfortunate Britons, and defeated them in many battles, in one of which Horsa was killed.

6. Hengist, now become sole commander of the Saxons, took the title of King of Kent. New swarms of Saxons kept pouring in, and by degrees got possession of almost the whole country south of Adrian's wall. Each of the chiefs took possession of what he conquered, and thus at last arose seven different kingdoms, which are commonly called the Saxon Heptarchy.

7. These seven kingdoms were as follows:

Kent-contained the present counties of Kent, and part of Sus

sex.

South Saxony, or Sussex-the present county of Surrey, and part of Sussex.

West Saxony,

Land's End.

Wessex-included the coast from Sussex to

East Saxony, or Essex.

East Anglia so called from a district of Germany, whence a portion of the conquering Saxons came, included Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire.

Mercia-the midland part of the island.

Northumberland-from Mercia to the borders of Scotland.

8. The Britons did not yield without a struggle. Sometimes they were cheered by a momentary success. The most celebrated of their chiefs was the renowned King Arthur, who defeated the Saxons in twelve battles.

9. He used to give great feasts to his brave companions. That there might be no disputes about the seats, he had a round table made, so that all might be equally honorable. King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table have been great favorites with story-tellers.

10. But all opposition proved vain. A large number of the Britons were slaughtered by the Saxons. A portion of them crossed over to France, where they settled in the northwestern corner of that country, which has since, from them, been called Brittany. The remainder took refuge in the mountains of Wales and Cornwall. The present inhabitants of these districts are the descendants of the ancient Britons, and still retain vestiges of their language.

did the Saxons do? 6. What was the Heptarchy? 7. Describe the seven kingdoms. 8, 9. What is said of King Arthur? 10. What became of the Britons?