52 HISTORF OP THE ROMANS IN BRITAIN". 



When the Romans conquered this country, itg 

 maritime provinces were possessed, according to the 

 account of Caesar, by such as came out of Belgium 

 in Gaul, and the interior parts by the aboriginal 

 natives. The inland inhabitants are represented 

 as extremely numerous, living in cottages thatched 

 with straw, and feeding large herds of cattle. They 

 lived mostly on milk, or flesh procured by the chace. 

 What cloaths they wore to cover any part of their 

 bodies were usually the skins of beasts ; but much 

 oftheir bodies, as the arms, legs, and thighs, was 

 left naked, and those parts were usually painted blue. 

 Their hair which was long flowed down upon their 

 backs and shoulders, while their beards were kept 

 close shaven, except upon the upper lip, where it 

 was suffered to grow. The dress of savage nations 

 is every where pretty much the same, being calcula- 

 ted rather to inspire terror, than to excite love and 

 respect. 



As to their government, it consisted of several 

 small principalities, each under its respective lea- 

 der ; and this seems to be the earliest mode of 

 dominion with \\ Inch mankind are acquainted, and 

 deduced from the natural privileges of paternal 

 authority. Upon great and uncommon dangers, a 

 commander in chief was chosen by common consent, 

 in a general assembly ; and to him was committed 

 the conduct of the general interest, the power of 

 making peace, or leading to war. 



Their forces consisted chiefly of foot, and yet they 

 could bring a considerable number of horse into the 

 field upon great occasions. They likewise used 



