the Britons, when the Belge shared in the population of the island, and at the time of the Roman invasion under Claudius. Tin then continued to be the chief article of exportation; but lead, the skins of animals, both wild and tame, together with numerous other commodities, are mentioned among the exports of Britain. The human being, reduced to slavery, and estimated merely as an animal, was also an object of barter. In exchange for such articles of traffic, the Britons imported salt, earthenware, and brass, both wrought, and in bullion.

It is cer

It would thus appear that the islanders derived but few additions to their comforts from their foreign commerce. tain that they waited at home for opportunities of barter; and it is quite doubtful whether they possessed barks of sufficient magnitude for extensive voyages, if they had been actuated by a spirit of bold commercial enterprise. Such of their vessels as were noticed by Cæsar, were merely open boats, framed of light timbers, ribbed with hurdle-work, and lined with hides.*

Brass, or copper, was the favourite metal with the Britons, whether of Celtic or Belgic extraction, as with all ancient nations in their early ages,† and was entirely imported by them, although they understood the art of working it, and constructed from it various implements. That their military weapons, swords, battle-axes, spears, and arrow-heads, were chiefly formed of copper or brass, is manifest, from the numerous relics found in different parts of the island, and preserved in the cabinets of the curious. From these it appears that they often mixed an extraordinary quantity of lead with the primary metal.

Iron, the most useful of all metals, and that which Nature has spread through most regions in the greatest abundance, is still

the

* Boats similar to those described by Cæsar, are still used on the rivers of Wales, and are denominated Corracles, in English. The Welsh term this species of boat, Cwm. See Beauties for Wales, Vol. XVII. p. 8, &c.

+ For the general use of brass, or copper, in the manufacture of offensive arms, amongst the ancients, see Goguet's Origin of Laws, Arts, &c. Vol. I. p. 157-159; and Vol. II. p. 266.

the most difficult of discovery; and is rendered forgeable by a process peculiarly complicated and tedious. Small quantities of this metal were imported from the continent, both by the Celtic and Belgic Britons, until a short time before the descent of Cæsar; when some mines were opened, and worked upon a small scale, by the latter people. It is believed that gold and silver were not known to be natural productions of the island, when it was first visited by Cæsar; but it would appear that these metals were discovered soon after that period, as Tacitus and Strabo mention both amongst the riches which Britain possessed to reward her conquerors. If not dug and worked in Britain, it is probable that these precious metals had been long imported in small quantities from Gaul, either in bullion, or wrought into various ornaments. That many ornamental particulars of pure gold formed a part of the elevated Briton's personal decorations, is evident, from the discoveries made on opening barrows, or funeral tumuli.

The art of the potter is one so necessary and so simple, that it can scarcely be supposed unknown to a nation which practised pasturage, and used as food the milk of its kine. That the Britons were acquainted with this art, is proved by vessels found in places of burial, and in other earth-works, assuredly British.* But the rude character of these specimens shews that they had made little progress in refining on the manufacture. They had, also, vessels formed of native amber; but, it would appear, from the investigation of funeral deposits, that these were very rare, and held in great value.

From the simplicity of construction and arrangement observable in their houses, it would seem probable that the Britous had little skill in works appertaining to the carpenter and turner; but we shall find that they possessed war-chariots so well contrived and neatly executed, as to obtain the admiration of their polished invaders, the Romans. It may readily be supposed

See some specimens of British pottery casually noticed in the Beauties for Wiltshire, p. 229, and 310.

that the chief efforts of a people continually exposed to internal warfare, would be directed towards the construction of military vehicles and implements; but, where many tools were possessed, and au efficient mode of using them was well known, it is unlikely that the exercise of opportunity and talent should be confined to one branch of such essential arts. Accordingly, we find on several of the coins of Cunobeline, minted between the first and second great Roman invasions, the representation of seats, or chairs, provided with backs, and mounted on four supporters. This circumstance is trivial, and is mentioned only to counteract a notion conveyed by some historical writers, under the influence of which it might be supposed that the inhabitants of ancient Britain, collectively, were in the first stage of savage life, and quite unacquainted with the means of domestic accommodation. In addition to articles formed of wood, their tables were furnished with numerous utensils made of osiers, delicately intertwined. In this species of basket work they so greatly excelled, that articles manufactured by them, were afterwards exported to Rome, where they were much admired, and admitted to the boards of the elevated and fashionable.

Having thus collected such scanty materials as credible history affords, for a description of the Briton's residence, and for an estimate of its probable contents, it is desirable to examine into the state of his personal appearance and habiliments.

The most acceptable of the Roman and Greek writers, concur in describing it as a custom of Britain for the inhabitants to paint their bodies, although they offer somewhat dissimilar accounts concerning the mode in which this species of decoration was practised. Cæsar and Pliny mention the Britons as staining their skins with one uniform colour, the dye of Glastum, or Woad; and they notice this custom as common to both sexes. Other ancient authors describe the painting as being of a more artificial character, and as consisting of various figures and devices, punctured on the skin; the blue stain of the Woad forming the ground-tint of this strange tissue of imagery. It is probable

that

.

that both accounts may be reconciled with correctness, and that
the great bulk of the population used the cheaper uniform colour,
while the upper orders indulged in the ostentation of figured
punctures, either more or less elaborate and varied as might suit
their temper and finances.

The existence of this practice evidently implies an original
necessity, or custom, of exposing the person free from attire.
But it has been already shewn that such an exposure was no
longer compulsory, when the island was first visited by the
Romans, although it appears to have been still practised in time
of battle.* Both the Celtic and Belgic tribes were then clothed;
the former chiefly in skins, and the latter wholly in garments of
woollen cloth. As cloth is not mentioned amongst the articles
imported by the Britons, there is confident reason for believing
that the art of manufacturing it was introduced by the Belgo.
The cloths at that time manufactured in Gaul, and probably in
Britain, were of a coarse and homely texture; but that most in
request was composed of wool, dyed in several different colours,
which being spun into yarn, was woven chequer-wise. Thus fall-
ing into parti-coloured squares, the fabric bore a close resem-
blance to the cloth still partially used in the highlands of Scot-
land, and known by the name of Tartan plaid.

It has been observed, in a previous page, that the comparative luxury of woollen garments was not entirely confined to the Belgic tribes, when the island first became known to the Romans. The chieftains, and other distinguished persons among the Celta, appear to have relinquished the rude garbs of their ancestors, and to have adopted a more comfortable and more ornamental species of attire. Their improved mode of dress is thus described by the lively pen of Mr. Whitaker; and as the description is, in many leading

• It is observed by Mr. Whitaker, that the highlanders have " retained this practice, in part, to the present times; as late as the battle of Killicranky, throwing off their plaids and short coats, and fighting in their shirts." Hist. of Manchester, Vol. I. p. 300.

+ Hist. of Manchester, Vol. I.

leading particulars, supported by the testimony of ancient writers, it may be perused as a curious delineation of ancient costume, founded on credible hints of intelligence, but enlarged with a considerable license of comparison and probable conjecture.

"The trunk of the body was covered with a jacket, which the Britons called a Cota, and we denominate a waistcoat. It was plaided, and open before; had long sleeves extending to the hands; and reached itself to the middle. And below this began the trowsers, which were called Braccæ, Brages, or Breeches, by the Britons, wrapped loosely round the thighs and legs, and terminated at the ancles. These also were plaided, as their name intimates; Brac signifying a parti-coloured object, and the upper garment of the highlanders being therefore denominated Breac, and Breacan, to this day.

" Over these was a looser garment, denominated, formerly, by the Gauls a sack, and by the Irish, lately, a mantle. This was equally plaided, and was of a thick strong contexture. And it was fastened upon the body with buttons, and bound round the waist with a girdle. The former appear to have been placed one upon either shoulder, where the highlanders use a sort of pins át present; and are seen distinctly on the coins of several British monarchs. The latter, which is frequently used to this day by the highlanders, also appears upon British coins, and seems to have been particularly ornamented, as in the Roman triumph over Caractacus his phaleræ made a part of the splendid shew.

"Round the neck was a large chain, which hung down upon the breast; and on the middle, or second finger of both hands was a ring. The ornamental chains of Caractacus were exhibited with his phaleræ in the procession at Rome. And both were made of gold among the chiefs, and of iron among their followers. They had shoes upon their feet, which were the same, assuredly, with the buskins that were used within these five centuries in Wales, and with the light flat brogues, that are worn to this day by some of the Irish and highlanders; and, like them, were made of a raw cow-hide, that had the hair turned outwards.

And they

wore