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and useful in every species. He created a naval force, in order to oppose the incursions of the Normans, a formidable and piratical nation, who already insulted the kingdom, and ravaged it after his death. He attempted to join the ocean with the Black Sea, by a canal of communication between the Rhine and the Danube. How advantageous might this work have been for trade? But, at that time, France could furnish no man of sufficient capacity to put it in execution.

The great prince was no less amiable in private life, than illustrious in his public character. He was an affectionate father, a fond husband, and a generous friend. His house was a model of economy, and his person of simplicity and true grandeur.-"For shame!" said he to some of his nobles, who were finer dressed than the occasion required, "learn to dress like men, and let the world judge of your rank by your merit, not your habit. Leave silks and finery to women; or reserve them for those days of pomp and ceremony, when robes are worn for show, not for use." On such occasions he appeared himself in imperial magnificence, and freely indulged in every luxury; but in general, his dress was plain, and his table frugal.

Charlemagne died at Aix-la-Chapelle, his usual residence, in the seventy-first year of his age, and the forty-seventh of his reign. The glory of the French empire seemed to die with him. To govern such an extent of territory required a genius equal to that monarch's..

CHAP. VIII.

Of the Scots and Piets.

MUCH time has been spent in inquiring whence the Scots and Picts emigrated, and many disputes have arisen on the subject. The most probable opinion, however, seems to be, that they were two tribes of the native Britons, who at different times, had fled from the dominion of the Romans, chusing liberty and barren mountains, rather than fertile plains and slavery; yet some plausible conjectures have been offered to prove, that the Scots were a colony from Ireland, though of the same Celtic origin. But whoever they were, they are allowed to have been a brave and warlike people, who often invaded the Roman territories, and were greatly an over-match for the effeminate and dispirited Britons. The Britons, indeed, were a very singular instance of the debasing effects of despotism. No people were ever more brave, none more jealous of liberty, than our ancient countrymen. With ordinary weapons, and little knowledge of military discipline, they struggled long with the Roman power, and were only subdued at last by reason of their want of union. But after a period of subjection, when the exigences of the empire obliged the Romans to recal their legions from this island, and resign to the inhabitants their native rights, the degenerate Britons were incapable of prizing the gift. Conscious of their inability to protect themselves,

and wanting resolution to attempt it, they would gladly have lived in security and slavery. They had, therefore, recourse, again and again, to their conquerors; and the Romans before they finally abandoned the island, assisted the Britons in rebuilding the wall of Severus, which extended between the friths of Forth and Clyde, and was esteemed by the Romans a necessary barrier, first against the Caledonians, and afterwards against the Scots and Picts.

CHAP. IX.

Of the Incursions of the Northern Nations into France.

THE name of Normans, or men of the North, was given to the inhabitants of ancient Scandinavia, or the present kingdoms of Denmark, Sweden and Norway. From those countries originated several German nations, which settled in the Roman empire. These tribes preserved the Celtic manners, which were the same as the Scythian, simple, hardy, ferocious, and calculated for making them dreadful conquerors. Their religion corresponded with their manners. Their supreme god was Oden. Human victims were sacrificed to him. His rewards were believed to be reserved for those who slew the greatest number of warriors in battle. The happiness to which they aspired, was to intoxicate themselves with beer in his hall. The skulls of

of their slain enemies were the precious cups, which were to be used in their infernal carousals.

How was it possible for innumerable nations to transform the father of nature, the infinitely good Being, into a sanguinary and destroying tyrant? The reason is, that men, immersed in ignorance, form a divinity according to their own taste, and ascribe to him the same passions with themselves. If any of these barbarians reasoned, he must inevitably plunge into Atheism, as he could not but reject such monstrous opinions, and had no idea of a pure and infinite spirit.

The grand principle of the Celtæ, particularly the Scandinavians, was, that force made the foundation of right, and that victory was a proof of justice. They referred every thing to war, by the spirit of which they were solely animated, and hastened from one expedition to another, in order to amass booty.

Fatigues, wounds, and arms, were in some measure sports of their infancy and youth. Even the name of fear was prohibited to be mentioned in the most dreadful dangers. The women, as well as the men, despised death; to which they not only submitted with intrepidity, but frequently affected to meet it with marks of joy.

Charlemagne prevented the irruptions of these northern tribes, by establishing a naval force, which guarded the mouths of the rivers. Under Louis Debonnaire they spread an alarm in France; and under Charles the Bald, committed dreadful ravages. Their fleets, which consisted of small light vessels, braved the storms of the ocean, and penetrated into every quarter. They

laid waste the coasts, and made their way into the heart of the provinces; nor was it possible to stop their progress. The government was incapable of taking any precaution, and the people having no protector, sunk under their fears. The steps of those robbers were every where marked with blood and fire. They twice pillaged Rouen, surprised and burnt Paris in 845, laid waste Aquitaine and other provinces with fire and sword, and reduced the king to the last extremities.

CHAP. X.

Alfred the Great Defeats the Danes.

IF England felt the same scourge with France, she found a like favor in a great prince. Under Ethelwolf, successor of Egbert, the Danes committed many ravages, because the king neglected the cares of government. Three of his sons reigned after him, in a manner equally inglorious. But, happily, their younger brother Alfred mounted the throne in 871; a man, who seemed a prodigy, in that age of horrors. He constantly kept an army on foot against the Danes, and had gained several victories over them. But new swarms of pirates coming incessantly to join the former, his troops were discouraged, and abandoned him. He was therefore obliged to disguise himself like a peasant, and to live for some months in the house of a shepherd; after which

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