THE MERINO BREED. 129 



is probably the same as that distinguished by the ancients 

 unddfr the name Milesian, brought from Asia. It is stated 

 by Martialis, himself a native of Spain, to be of the colour of 

 wine. It is long and very soft, differing entirely from the 

 wool of Spain> now so celebrated, termed Merino. 



The Roman power in Spain terminated in the year of our 

 Lord 456, and was supplanted by that of the Northern Bar- 

 barians. In the year 409, the Vandals, Suevi, and Allani, 

 having forced the passes of the Pyrenees, carried rapine and 

 desolation throughout the tranquil and happy land. The 

 Roman legions, few in number, and fallen off in discipline, 

 and the inhabitants become unwarlike from disuse of arms, 

 were unable to make head against these cruel enemies, who 

 did not, however, long enjoy their bloody triumphs. A nation 

 of Goths, who had become the allies of the sinking empire, 

 drew their swords for the recovery of Spain, and, after a 

 series of murderous conflicts, succeeded in restoring it nomi- 

 nally to its ancient masters. The Goths were worsted in 

 their turn ; but at length their king Theodoric, by one deci- 

 sive battle, established a Gothic monarchy in Spain, an event 

 which introduced the feudal system in its rigour, shook the 

 whole framework of society, and has influenced the fortunes, 

 character, and institutions, of the Spanish people up to the 

 times in which we live. The term Hidalgo, or son of a Goth, 

 became a title of distinction, and those privileged classes 

 were established which have been the bane of the countrv 



/ 



ever since. During the long dominion of these Gothic princes, 

 upwards of 250 years, civil and religious wars desolated the 

 country ; and nothing can be recorded/avourable to industry 

 and the arts except that, towards the termination of this pe- 

 riod, the enslaved country began again to enjoy something 

 like repose. 



The Gothic dominion was doomed in its turn to a terrible 

 overthrow. In the year 712, the Arabs, then termed Sara- 

 cens, having overrun the whole of Mauritania except the 

 little fortress of Ceuta, landed a tumultuary army on the 



I 



