greatly effaced the old distinctive line between Belge and pure Gauls. The modern ethnologists of France seem to incline towards a theory that the Belge were descendants of the Cimbri, whom they hold to have been Teutons. This is a point much disputed, but it is of the greatest importance to our early history. A careful examination of France is now, I believe, preparing, similar to that carried through by Mr. Edwards some years ago, but much more extensive, and the results will doubtless give invaluable rules for the study of European ethnology. In the meantime we should be working on our own side, digging up our graves, comparing skulls, and seeking authorities, were it only to justify Tacitus, who, among other observations not so encouraging, remarks that the Britons were more intelligent than the Gauls.* There is very little doubt, in my mind, that our island was in the earliest times a refuge for the conquered tribes of the continent, and I think it probable, as Mr. Wright observes,t "that it had afforded a "home for colonies from the whole line of coast stretching "from the Baltic to the Bay of Biscay, and that at least a "considerable portion of the population on the eastern and "south-eastern coast was really of Teutonic origin.” But on approaching the Anglo-Saxon conquest our perplexity grows into helpless confusion. The state of this country after the Romans' departure is a matter of the merest guess; it is an era which fable and theory claim as their very own, in which reason is struck violently dumb. The existence of a British King Arthur is asserted with desperate pertinacity and denied with acrimonious contempt. Mr. Poole asserts, Mr. Haigh rectifies,§ Mr. Wright disputes,|| and * Tacitus vita Agricolæ, cap. xxi. § Conquest of Britain, by D. H. Haigh. The romantic Cycle of King Arthur, by T. Wright, the world inclines now to one, now to another, in pitiable bewilderment. The story of the conquest, which seemed so thoroughly simple to us in the nursery, has grown more and more obscure with advancing knowledge, until none can be blamed for declaring it a hopeless puzzle. The leaders of antiquarian science have been occupied in refuting the errors, or upholding the truth of Gildas and Geoffry of Monmouth and middle-age chronicles, rather than in building up for us new history. Yet stores of most valuable information must exist in several quarters, and I could suggest no theme in our province more interesting, if dispassionately and studiously undertaken, than the Anglo-Saxon conquest. There is an impression abroad-I prefer to call it impression, for it is neither theory nor conviction-that when the piratical hordes of Hengist and his fellows descended ruthlessly upon our coasts, they found a timid, industrious population of Christian Celts, who were easily overcome or driven to the mountains. Hume is apparently responsible for the authoritative dissemination of this story, of which every clause is now disputed. I am not anxious, on this occasion, to air any theories of my own, but certain indisputable facts there are which should be known to every child who may be called to put faith in this legend. The colonists of Britain were among the most turbulent of Roman subjects, and credible historians show that their revolts were popular, or at least municipal, not merely military disturbances. Usurper after usurper assumed the purple here, among whom Carausius should ever be remembered as the first builder of a British fleet. Several of these bold mutineers ventured across the channel to try their strength against the legions of Italy, and one at least was a dangerous competitor for the empire.* As to the nationality of our population at that time, there are, as you know, some distinguished archeologists who deny the • Constantine Britannicus, A.D. 407. existence of any pure Celtic race, and the analogy of Spain and Gaul certainly favours this view. Their religion is another difficulty. I need scarcely remind you that no single authority has hitherto been cited in favour of that theory which would christianize Britain before the Anglo-Saxon conversion, and the evidence of digging is all against it. The idea is, of course, that since Christianity had been proclaimed in Rome a century before this island was formally abandoned, the Britons must therefore have been converted, but this not unnatural expectation is not confirmed by research. Though the student should certainly examine the four specimens claimed as British-Christian, I think I am correct in stating, that no single memorial of our religion has been discovered in England older than the Anglo-Saxon conversion, except that curious pavement of the Hampshire villa. In that mosaic the monogram of our religion is certainly found in the midst of heathen symbols, but it rather seems to me to have been placed there as a curiosity, or as a cynical proclamation of indifference, than for any respect to its meaning. In regard to these difficulties, I would wish most emphatically to remind you that we possess an invaluable mine of knowledge. Our city of Uriconium has well been named the English Pompeii; but would that this country were drawing such profit from it as the Italians from their ancient remains! By the frequent discovery of "minimi," those small coins struck in this island after the Romans' departure, we know that Uriconium existed for a considerable time in independence, and, owing to accidental circumstances, it has been preserved more thoroughly than any other Roman cities. The house-walls are more than eight feet high; and no reasonable doubt exists that most valuable treasures would be recovered were the examination liberally supported. It is a mine of lost information, which the Duke of Cleveland's liberality has offered to the public at the expense of excavation. A very small grant from Government, swelled by public subscription, would enable that most learned antiquary, Mr. Wright, who superintends the work, to disinter such treasures as would amply return the outlay, and it is much to be hoped that the House of Commons may shortly give national aid to the excavations now almost at a standstill for want of funds. To reconstruct our early history is the duty now lying before us. Within the last twenty years an enormous amount of legendary rubbish has been cleared away, but the rebuilding has not kept pace with the demolition. Seek information everywhere-in tradition, in barrow, in monkish record and ancient charter. I have found many a valuable hint where it might least have been expected, and experience teaches the antiquary not to despise the smallest fragment of a manuscript apparently uninteresting. If the true story of our island is ever to be recovered, no time should be lost in undertaking the work. New material is indeed daily unearthed and given to the world, but so also old material is daily destroyed or lost without use; each Spring ancient sepulchres are levelled by the ploughshare; each year old traditions are lost; each hour the antique parchments crumble away. Patient and conscientious research may yet accomplish much, but it should be impressed upon us all that with each day the task becomes more difficult. HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE FOREST OF ROSSENDALE. By Thomas Newbigging. (READ 11TH APRIL, 1867.) THE district whose history I propose briefly to sketch to the members of this Society, is one which is, in an especial degree, an example of the transforming power of Trade and Manufactures, in combination with that energy and industry so largely characteristic of the Anglo-Saxon race. From an almost profitless tract of country, the Forest of Rossendale, within a period of three hundred and sixty years has grown to be a flourishing and important section of the county palatine. Previous to and at the time of the Norman Conquest (A.D. 1066), the four forests of Pendle, Trawden, Rossendale and Accrington, were embraced in the general name of the "Forest of Blackburnshire;" and though the different divisions of that forest were probably well known by their distinctive appellations, yet we may form a fair estimate of the limited extent of occupation and cultivation throughout this portion of the county of Lancaster in those remote times, * With respect to the derivation of the name Rossendale, the historian of Whalley remarks,-" I was once inclined to deduce this word from the British "rhos, a bottom; but the following etymology, for which I am indebted to "Baxter (vid. Gloss. in voc. Carnovace), is much more appropriate,- Pagus "iste, de Russeo puto graminum colore, Rossen dicitur, nam ejusmodi ericeum "pascuum Britannorum vulgo Rhos dicitur.' If there was a circumstance about "the place which would strike the observation of the first colonists above every "other, it must have been the brown and dreary hue of its native herbage, which "the labours of three centuries have not been able to overcome."-History of Whalley, 3rd ed., p. 220. |