3 



hills, and the lowing of oxen in the valleys, were heard, 

 instead of the piercing cries of those wild creatures, when 

 ranging in quest of prey. Meanwhile the ample river, 

 whose capricious windings could only be distinguished 

 from the highest hills, was disclosed to view, by the 

 clearing away of tangled bushes, and the cutting down 

 of the huge trees that encroached upon, or shaded 

 its bright waters. The small skin-boats of the natives, 

 and the stately galleys of the Romans, glided along its 

 surface, and commodities of various kinds were brought 

 from one part of the country to the other. 



But the day arrived when the galley was rarely seen 

 upon the river. When the skin-boats of the natives 

 ceased to spread abundance along its shores ; when many 

 large and fair dwellings were deserted ; and when the 

 rolling of chariots, filled with patrician families, whose 

 villas had been erected in some of the most beau- 

 tiful parts of the country, were no longer heard on 

 the great military road that led from the city of Corinium. 

 Instead of these, bands of anned men spread over the 

 land, for the Roman legions were withdrawn, to save the 

 capital from spoliation, and nothing remained for the un- 

 happy Britons but servitude or death. The Saxons 

 came, for such were the strangers called : their looks were 

 bland, and their flowing vestments, adorned with borders 

 of many colours, betokened some degree of civilization ; 

 but war was in their hearts, and soon, where cities had 

 stood, and peaceful homesteads met the view, all was 



B 2 





