A Museum for Young Gentlemen and Ladies | Page 5

way, whilst the rest of their army advanced to support them. The
largeness of Cæsar's vessels hindered them from coming near the shore,
so that the Roman soldiers saw themselves under a necessity of leaping
into the sea, armed as they were, in order to attack their enemies, who
stood ready to receive them on the dry ground. Cæsar perceiving that
his soldiers did not exert their usual bravery, ordered some small ships
to get as near the shore as possible, which they did, and with their
slings, engines, and arrows so pelted the Britons, that their courage
began to abate. But the Romans were unwilling to throw themselves
into the water, till one of the standard-bearers leaped in first with his
colours in his hand, crying out aloud, Follow me, fellow soldiers, unless
you will betray the Roman Eagle into the hands of the enemy. For my
part I am resolved to discharge my duty to Caesar and the
Commonwealth. Whereupon all the soldiers followed him, and began to
fight. But their resolution was not able to compel the Britons to give
ground; nay, it was feared they would have been repelled, had not
Cæsar caused armed boats to supply them with recruits, which made
the enemy fall back a little. The Romans improving this advantage

advanced, and getting firm footing on land, pressed the Britons so
vigorously that they put them to the rout. The Britons, astonished at the
Roman valour, and fearing a more obstinate resistance would but
expose them to greater mischiefs, sent to sue for peace and offer
hostages, which Cæsar accepted, and a peace was concluded four days
after their landing. Thus having given an account of Ancient Britain,
and Cæsar's invasion, we shall proceed to the History of England, and
the several Kings by whom it has been governed.

A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. II.
AS England was long governed by Kings who were natives of the
country, so it may not be improper to distinguish that tract of time by
the name of the British Period. Those Kings were afterwards subdued
by the Romans, and the time that warlike people retained their conquest
we shall call the Roman Period. When the Saxons brought this country
under their subjection, we shall denominate the time of their sway the
Saxon Period. Lastly, when the Danes invaded England, and conquered
it, we shall term the series of years they possessed it the Danish Period.
This country was originally called Albion; but one Brutus, a Grecian
hero, having landed here about 1100 years before Christ, changed the
ancient name to Britannia; from which time, to the arrival of Julius
Cæsar here, there had reigned sixty-nine Kings, all natives of England.
In respect to the Roman Period we may observe, that Julius Cæsar first
landed in Britain from Gallia, and made it tributary to the Romans; but
soon after the birth of Christ the Emperor Claudius brought this country
entirely under his subjection, and the Emperor Adrian built the long
wall between England and Scotland.
In the beginning of the second century the Christian religion was
planted in England; and in the fifth century the Britons, finding
themselves overpowered by the Scots, called over the Saxons to their
assistance, who were so charmed with the country that they determined
to continue here, and subdue it.

The most remarkable occurrences in the Saxon Period are, that such of
them who embarked for England had been particularly distinguished by
the name of Angles, and from them the name of Britannia was changed
to that of Anglia. The Saxons also divided the country among
themselves into seven kingdoms, known by the name of the Saxon
Heptarchy, viz. 1. Kent, 2. Essex, 3. Sussex, 4. Wessex, 5. East Anglia,
6. Mercia, 7. Northumberland. But at length Wessex over-powering the
rest, formed them all into one monarchy.
One of those West-Saxon Kings, called Ina, made many good laws,
some of which are still extant: he also was the first that granted Peter's
pence to the Pope.
In regard to the Danish Period we shall only remark, that the Danes had
for a long time acted as pirates or sea robbers upon the English coasts,
and made several incursions into the country, when their King Canute
possessed himself of the crown of England; however their government
did not continue long.
Canute reigned eighteen years, and left three sons, Harold, Canute, and
Sueno; to the first he gave England, to the second Denmark, and to the
third Norway.
Harold reigned five years, and was succeeded by his half-brother
Hardi-Canute, who died two years after, and with him ended the
tyrannical government of the Danes in England.

THE INTERMEDIATE HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. III.
WE shall divide this part of our history into four