The Roman Occupation of Britain. 



Bead before the Hamilton Scientific Association, 

 January 17th, 1908. 



BY PROP. G. OSWALD SMITH, M.A. 



To one coming to the New World the land of Britain 

 teems with historical interest. As to the period of the 

 Roman occupation of Britain, it is a period that can hardly 

 be called a familiar one. Much of Roman influence in 

 Britain has been lost, as in the case of some other nations. 

 In France, Roman influence along certain lines has con- 

 tinued almost unbroken — bivShoprics, for instance, were 

 established in certain towns which at the time were of 

 political importance. Those French bishoprics have re- 

 mained to this day, but such is not the case altogether in 

 Britain, although it is quite true that some of the English 

 bishoprics are in places which were permanent in ancient 

 times. Instances are continually occurring through which 

 Roman influence can be traced in modern France, but in 

 Britain, at the time of the English Conquest, they set out 

 ruthlessly to destroy almost everything ; many cities were 

 burned, and civilization had to begin anew on what has 

 proved a better and securer foundation. Comparatively 

 few traces of Roman towns have been left upon the surface. 

 For a time it would seem that most of the cities of Roman 

 Britain were abandoned, and altogether not much has been 

 discerned as they had no large and conspicuous buildings 

 as are still in existence in southern France, and doubtless 

 the English climate has, in the course of ages, caused 

 what remains there were, to undergo the process of decay. 

 Britain as a Roman province possessed features that were 

 common to the whole Roman system, as well as peculiarities 

 of its own. We know that the Romans imposed their 



