UNIFORM WITH THIS VOLUME. For the Use of the Lower Forms. A SMALLER HISTORY OF GREECE, BY WILLIAM SMITH, LL.D. 74 Illustrations. Fcap. 8vo. 38. 6d. A SMALLER HISTORY OF ROME. BY WILLIAM SMITH, LL.D. 79 Illustrations. Fcap. 8vo. 38. 6d. FOR the earliest history of our own country we must look to the Greek and Roman writers. Long before Virgil spoke of the Britons as "cut off afar from all the world," the Phoenicians had traded on our shores and obtained tin from the Scilly Isles, which were hence called Cassiterides (Tin Islands). The British Islands are first mentioned by name by Aristotle, in the fourth century before Christ. He calls England and Scotland Albion (probably from the native word for white), and Ireland lerne. The Greek colonists of Massilia (Marseille) and Narbo (Narbonne; also traded with Britain through Gaul. The chief British exports were tin, lead, skins, hunting-dogs, and slaves; and, as the natives became more civilized, they exported corn and cattle, gold, silver, and iron, and an inferior sort of pearl. The Romans had begun to talk of Britain in the second century ENG B before Christ; but the real history of our islands begins with their invasion by Julius Cæsar, B.C. 55. His pretext was to avenge the aid which the Britons had given to one of the Gallic tribes; a most interesting testimony to the maritime habits of the people even thus early, as well as to their close relations with the Gauls. Cæsar reached the coast, probably near Deal, Aug. 26, в.c. 55. The Roman soldiers were intimidated for a moment by the wild enemy, who crowded to defend the beach; but the standard-bearer of the 10th legion dashed through the waves; and the army, following his example, made good their landing. The approach of winter, and pressing affairs, soon caused Cæsar to withdraw to Gaul, having made the Britons only feel his power, and taken hostages for their obedience. His absence relieved them from the fear of the as yet unknown might of Rome. In the following year, however (B.C. 54), he returned, and, advancing beyond the Thames, he took and burned Verulamium (St. Alban's), the fortress of Cassivelaunus, or Caswallon, chief of the Trinobantes, in whose place he set up his own ally Mandubratius, and then returned to Gaul. The people who inhabited the island at the time of Cæsar were a tribe of the great Celtic family who had passed over to Britain from the opposite continent. This is proved by the identity of their language and the resemblance in their manners, government, and religion. The Celts were divided into two great branches, the Gael and the Cymry, of whom the former now inhabit Ireland and the highlands of Scotland, and the latter Wales. The Britons almost certainly belonged to the Cymry, and the Celtic words still found in English are of the Cymric, or Welsh, dialect. The religion of the Britons, which formed one of the most considerable parts of their government, was a terrible form of idolatry called Druidism. The Druids, who were the priests, directed all religious duties, and presided over the education of the youth; they enjoyed an immunity from war and taxes; they possessed both the civil and criminal jurisdiction; they decided all controversies, among states as well as among private persons, and whoever refused to submit to their decrees was exposed to the most severe penalties; the sentence of excommunication was pronounced against him; he was forbidden access to the sacrifices or public worship; he was debarred all intercourse with his fellow-citizens; and was refused the protection of the law. The Druids inculcated piety towards the gods (for they worshipped a plurality of gods), charity towards man, and fortitude in suffering; they taught their disciples astronomy, or rather, perhaps, astrology, and magic, and trained them to acuteness in legal distinctions. Their rites were mysterious and terrible; but |