not accustomed the native Britons to the use of arms, except a few whom they incorporated as auxiliaries in the Roman armies; and since the usurpation of Maximus, they were, it is probable, become more cautious in that respect. The barbarians, in their first progress, would also have the opportunity of compelling numbers of the rude peasantry to join them, while the inhabitants of the towns and cities, enervated by luxury and sloth, trembled at the approach of those savage marauders. In this miserable state, they dispatched ambassadors to Rome, to implore the succours which their ancient protectors were capable of affording them. Their pitiful tale was attended to by the court of Rome, which was now becoming rather indifferent to the situation of Britain, from which they had latterly derived but little benefit; and they had sufficient employ for the troops elsewhere, in the present state of the empire. Troops, however, were sent, who hastened to the scene of combat with all possible speed, which Gildas describes in his stile of rude eloquence. The achievements of the Roman legion, upon their arrival, are depicted by Gildas in a manner peculiarly his own: "The Romans, being affected, as much as it was possible for human nature to be, with the tragic narration of the Britons, flew like the eagle through the air, like a swift horse skimming over the plain, or a ship making his rapid course over the waters: thus they, with the greatest velocity, suddenly came upon the enemy before he was aware of their approach; they make them feel the keen edge of their weapons; and the dreadful slaughter which ensued was like the force of the mountain torrent, augmented by the frequent tempestuous currents, and overflowing its channel with its sonorous meandering, and raised aloft with furrowed ridge and angry front (as they say), wonderfully foaming up to the clouds; (while the pupils of the

eyes, although often relieved by the convolutions of the eye-lids, are obscured by the sparkling refractions) until at once it is swallowed up in the vortex that receives it: in like manner our glorious allies swiftly chased over the sea the hostile bands, if any of them indeed had room to escape."

This sketch of mountain scenery, as Mr. Turner calls it, is indeed in a style rumbling, rough, and fierce, like the object described. There is a rude grandeur in the conception, although obscured by the badness of the Latinity; and one thing ought particularly to be adtended to, that Gildas, in all probability, was a British Bard, which accounts for the turgidity of his style. It is no implausible supposition, that Gildas wrote in his own native tongue, and that his piece was afterwards translated into Latin, as it bears a great similarity to the style of a translation.

The Britons were no sooner freed from one plague than they were infested by another; for, upon the death of the emperor Honorius, the Roman troops, who were elated it would seem with their late successes, broke into open mutiny, and proceeded to elect an emperor for themselves. Three persons were within the space of three months, successively elevated to the sovereign dignity. They had a pretext for this, from the successful irruptions of several nations from the north of Europe, who crossed the Rhine into Gaul, and threatened Britain itself. Stilicho, the bulwark of the empire, while he was defending Italy against the barbarians, was charged with secretly conniving at their approaches, in order to augment his own glory by their defeat, and to induce Honorius to admit his son to partake with him of the imperial dignity. That great minister, intoxicated with ambition, was now hastening to his downfall, involving both himself and the empire in ruin. "The

double dealing of his ambition," says Turner, "excited invasions which he wished to have the merit of repressing; it introduced the barbarian hordes into the provinces, who quitted them no more; it occasioned rebellions which completed the debility of the imperial government; and it paved the way for the complete extinction of the western empire."

The person who was first honoured with the title of emperor of the Roman-British army was one Marcus: but he was quickly deposed, and Gratian, called Gratian Municeps, was elected in his stead. But the soldiers, supposing they had the same power to uncreate as they had to create, not being pleased with their new sovereign, after he had reigned four months, deposed him, and then put him to death: whether this was done through the envy of individuals, or because of alleged misconduct, is not stated. A soldier of the name of Constantine was then made the subject of their choice, his name alone being regarded as auspicious.

This Constantine appears to have possessed some por tion of energy and talent, He trained many of the British youth to the use of arms; and transported them all, with the best of the regular troops, to the Continent. His first adventures were successful, for he conciliated the Roman soldiers on the Continent, and defeated the barbarians; his authority was acknowledged in Gaul, and he reduced Spain. His son Constans, who had devoted himself to a monastic life before the elevation of his father, was now made Cæsar. Constantine sent his apology to the emperor Honorius, stating that the imperial dignity was forced upon him: the emperor thought it prudent to connive at his usurpation, and sent him the imperial robes.

The terrible Alaric was now assembling his forces to march to the gates of Rome. Stilicho having undergone

us that upon the death of Constantine, and the taking of Rome by the Goths, the Roman empire in Britain ended, four hundred and sixty-five years after the arrival of Julius Cæsar on our coasts,

The horrid picture which Gildas draws of the third terrible devastation, may perhaps apply to some period not long previous to the fatal council of Vortigern to call in the Saxons. But, in consequence of the defection of Constantine, the country must have been greatly exposed to the ravages of the northern barbarians; and nothing but an extraordinary effort of valour, directed by a well-concerted coalition of the native chiefs, could save the country from instant destruction.

On the subject of the independence of Britain, I shall give the words of the author of the Decline and Fall of the Roman empire;

"Whilst Italy was ravaged by the Goths, and a suc cession of feeble tyrants oppressed the provinces beyond the Alps, the British island separated itself from the body of the Roman empire. The regular forces which guarded that remote island had been withdrawn; and Britain was abandoned, without defence, to the Saxon pirates, and the savages of Ireland and Caledonia. The Britons, reduced to this extremity, no longer relied on the tardy and doubtful aid of a declining monarchy. They assembled in arms, repelled the invaders, and rejoiced in the important discovery of their own strength.* Afflicted by similar circumstances, and actuated by the same spirit, the Armorican provinces (a name which comprehended the maritime countries of Gaul, 'between

*Here Mr. Gibbon has a note:-" Zosimus," he remarks, 66 relates, in a few words, the revolt of Britain and Armorica. Our antiquarians, even the great Camden himself, have been betrayed into many gross errors by their imperfect knowledge of the history of the continent."

the Seine and the. Loire,) resolved to imitate the example of the neighbouring island. They expelled the Roman magistrates who acted under the authority of the usurper Constantine; and a free government was established among a people who had so long been subject to the arbitrary will of a master. The independence of Britain and Armorica was soon confirmed by Honorius himself, the lawful emperor of the west; and the letters by which he committed to the new states the care of their own safety, might be interpreted as an absolute and perpetual abdication of the exercise and rights of sovereignty. Britain was irrecoverably lost.* But as the emperors wisely acquiesced in the independence of a remote province, the separation was not embittered by the reproach of tyranny or rebellion; and the claims of allegiance and protection were succeeded by the mutual and voluntary offices of national friendship.

The Roman veterans, several of whom continued in the island after the departure of the Legionaries, encouraged and assisted the natives to repulse their enemies, which they accomplished in the most successful manner. The Romans, who had settled in the island, at length resolved to quit a country so continually exposed to hostile incursions; and, therefore, carrying with them their money and effects, they departed for the continent. It may be added, now that the Britons were become an independent people, the remnant of the Romans met with

* Mr. Gibbon here refers to a passage in Procopius, in which that historian observes, that the Romans now found it out of their power to rescue Britain from its misfortunes. Βρεταννιαν μεν τοι Ρωμαιοι ανασώσασθαι ουκετι εχον. Procopius de Bello Vandal, 1. i. c. 2.