Page images
PDF
EPUB

The Picts and Scots, branches of the great Scythian horde who came over at some unascertained period, never peopled England, though they made perpetual inroads, and harrassed the Britons for centuries. They must not be confused : they were of different branches; the Picts far more resembling the Gaelic inhabitants of Ireland, and the Scots having all those substantial qualities and enduring vigour which characterize them yet. The pure Gaelic people are still in the Highlands; the Lowlanders are a mixed race, composed chiefly of the Scots, who

, never were much diminished, with some intermixture of Danish and even Saxon blood. I need not describe their well-known attributes, or point out their distinctive features from all other people on the earth.

It was in the fifth century that a motley horde of Germans, composed of Saxons, Angles, and Jutes, poured into Britain. Here indeed was a new element-one which soon left little remnant of any other. They pillaged the land-destroyed the Roman buildings-and expelled the British people, driving them, like sheep, to the hills. I am sceptical as to any British blood having survived this chase and carnage east of the Severn, and but little indeed east of Offa's Dyke. Into Radnorshire and the low land of Montgomeryshire, and at a later period into that of Glamorgan, the work of extermination was also carried; and there up to this hour not a remnant of the Welsh or British language is spoken; the very features and habits of the people bespeaking the difference.

The invaders were of the same great stock who severed from their more peaceful kinsmen in the interior of the great Western kingdom, and who finally peopled Germany; distinct, therefore, from the early British, and also from the Gothic or Scythian horde, who peopled Sarmatia, and, overrunning the north of Europe, also extended themselves to Scandinavia. The Saxons were not long in making themselves and families at home in England. At first the three divisions located themselves thus: The Angles principally in the north of England; the Saxons in the south and south-east; and mingled with

to race.

both were the Jutes. In the course of years they were united as one people, but never amalgamated wholly as

And in the remarks that follow, in speaking of the Saxons, I must be understood to mean the pure Saxons, who still form rearly the whole mass of the peasantry, and no small portion of the middle and higher classes, in the south and south-western and midland counties up to this hour. The Angles were a sterner and more lively race, and have been in many parts of the north-east intermixed with the Danes. And hence arises that vast disparity which so obviously distinguishes the character of our people in the north-eastern from those of the southern counties. Tacitus described the Saxons as a “peculiar unmixed people, resembling only itself.” Their energies of mind, though seldom keen, and never very brilliant, are remarkable for perseverance. They were devoted to personal liberty, independent, and selfrelying, but nevertheless obedient to law. To these good qualities does England mainly owe her industrial prosperity, and the general good order of the kingdom. Greatly also are the Protestant and northern countries of Germany indebted for similar prosperity to the same elements in their kindred race.

Three centuries had scarcely elapsed of the AngloSaxon dynasty, when a terrible visitation overtook them, and hosts of the Scandinavian sea-kings infested the coasts, sailed up the rivers, and plundered and slaughtered the Anglo-Saxons much after the fashion that they had dealt with the Britons. It was a just retribution.

Now these people unquestionably have left their descendants among us, especially in the eastern and northeastern counties. The round towers of the churches, and a variety of other physical relics, indicate their identity. Of course the effects of civilization have materially modified the harshness and vices of their race; but they who are best acquainted with the peasantry and inhabitants of the districts in question, will not fail to trace but too many striking resemblances to the grosser character of their Scandinavian ancestors. They are still to be found in parts of Pembrokeshire. I have traced them by name, and frame of body and feature, near to the small harbour of Newport, in that county; and I believe they exist in large numbers in Caermarthen and Anglesea. They are to be found, in fact, wherever large inlets exist, and also up many of our great rivers throughout England may traces of them be found. They differ in feature, character, colour, and even in anatomy, from the Saxons.

It remains to touch on the Norman conquest and dynasty. I believe it to have had but little effect on the races or characteristics of the people, but simply of the higher classes, who very largely consist of them. I believe the chief proofs of this to be these :—first, the small number of soldiers who came over; the comparative absence of women; and the numerous followers of the Conqueror whom he endowed with lands. The living proofs consist in the sad chasm which exists between the two great orders in this country, who are severed and distanced in a manner wholly unknown to the rest of the world. It is also plainly imprinted in our language. The peasants speak Anglo-Saxon, mingled, according

to their district, and—as I humbly submit—their race, with Danish words; and never use a multitude of words which are constantly used by the higher, and latterly by all the middle and trades' classes. We are all familiar with these words.

The results of what I have thus most imperfectly laid before you may be thus summed up :- The earlier settlers and comers into England have disappeared; the first, however, only into Wales, where they still remain, with a minute colony of Flemings. The great bulk of our people are Anglo-Saxon, mingled with sterner materials and some Danish blood on river borders and the eastern counties, but chiefly Saxon in the southern. The characteristics of this race are the stable elements of our population. They form its hard working, industrial classes. They it is who have furnished the solid material of our welfare in peace, and victory in battle. They are the sinews of our manufactures and our mercantile and inland

[graphic]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

ROMAN CAMP ON TRECASTLE

MOUNTAIN.

« PreviousContinue »