STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. I. TWO THOUSAND YEARS AGO. 1. Two thousand years ago our country was known as Britain, and the people who lived in it were called Britons. They were a warlike race of men, very fierce, high-spirited, and fond of liberty. 2. The Britons did not live under the rule of one sovereign, but were divided into a number of tribes, each having its own chief. 3. The tribes living in the south of the country were the most civilised, as they had been visited by merchants and people from other lands, who came for tin and lead and the skins of animals. They cultivated the ground, grew corn for food, and kept flocks and herds. 4. The tribes further inland lived chiefly by hunting and fishing. Much of the country was covered with forests, in which roamed the boar, the bear, the hart, and many other wild animals. 5. The Britons in the interior of the country clothed themselves with the skins of beasts. Many painted themselves blue from head to foot, or drew figures of various animals over their naked bodies. 6. The less civilised tribes lived in thickets, dens, or caves, while the best houses in the land were built only of boughs of trees, and covered with mud. 7. The fishermen made themselves boats of wickerwork covered with the skins of beasts. These were called coracles, and were so light that they could easily be carried from place to place. 8. These old Britons were heathens, and sometimes offered up human sacrifices. Their priests were called Druids, and possessed very great power. Civ'il-ise, teach or train in the arts and ways of good behaviour. Cor'a-cle, a boat made of skins or oil-cloth, stretched on wickerwork. Cul'ti-vate, prepare the ground for crops. In-te'ri-or, middle, part away from the coast. Lib'er-ty, freedom. SUMMARY. Two thousand years ago. our country was known as Britain, and its people were called Britons. They were divided into a number of tribes. Those in the south were most civilised, and cultivated the ground. The less civilised tribes lived chiefly by hunting and fishing. Much of the country was covered with forests. The best houses in the land were made of boughs covered with mud. The fishermen used light boats called coracles. Some of the people painted their bodies, and wore the skins of beasts as clothing. The Britons were heathens. Their priests were called Druids. CARACTACUS AT ROME. II. CARACTACUS AT ROME. 9 1. Nearly two thousand years ago a people who were called the Romans tried to conquer Britain. At that time they were the most powerful people in the world. 2. The Britons wished to continue free, and fought so bravely that many years passed before the Romans could gain possession of the whole of the country. 3. One of the bravest and most skilful of the British chiefs who opposed the Romans was named Caractacus. For nine years he fought against them, till at last in a fierce battle he was utterly defeated. 4. He then fled for safety to his stepmother, who, instead of helping him as he had hoped, gave him up to the Romans. His wife and daughter were also taken prisoners. 5. The Romans were very pleased to have captured this great chief. They sent him and his family to Rome, to walk in a procession through the streets of that city in honour of the Roman general. 6. When the grand day came the streets were crowded with people. The soldiers were drawn up in order, and the emperor and empress were there on lofty seats. 7. All were anxious to see the display, but they wished especially to cast their eyes upon the bold warrior who had given so much trouble to their armies in the far-off land of Britain. 8. There were many captives in the procession besides Caractacus, but he was the most admired. of all. Although he was a prisoner and had chains 7. The fishermen made themselves boats of wickerwork covered with the skins of beasts. These were called coracles, and were so light that they could easily be carried from place to place. BRITISH HOUSE. 8. These old Britons were heathens, and sometimes offered up human sacrifices. Their priests were called Druids, and possessed very great power. Civ'il-ise, teach or train in the arts and ways of good behaviour. Cor'a-cle, a boat made of skins or oil-cloth, stretched on wickerwork. Lib'er-ty, freedom. Cul'ti-vate, prepare the ground SUMMARY. Two thousand years ago our country was known as Britain, and its people were called Britons. They were divided into a number of tribes. Those in the south were most civilised, and cultivated the ground. The less civilised tribes lived chiefly by hunting and fishing. Much of the country was covered with forests. The best houses in the land were made of boughs covered with mud. The fishermen used light boats called coracles. Some of the people painted their bodies, and wore the skins of beasts as clothing. The Britons were Leathens. Their priests were called Druids. |