St. Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1845-1863, 1862-03-13
ATTILA, THE sCOURGE OF GOD.

In the early part Of the fifth century.
when the northern or Gothic nations were
ho,lv contending with the tottcring empire
of Rome for the dominion of Europe; when
new communities were settling in Spain
and Germany, and the Franks were be-
ginning in Gsul to assert, first their own
freedom. and .hcE her sway over their
weak ncighbors; when Christianity was
beginning to assert her influence over the
wild barbarians in the liclvetian morasscs
and in the German woods. and the dawn
of better day seemed to glinmer over
the world through the dark shades of bar
barism. superstition and cruelty, there
crept storm over Europe. that had we'll
nigh crushed aud blightcd in its fury the
tender blossoms of new civilization. From
the stcppes of central Asia, the desolate
region lying between the frozen tracts Of
Siberia and the lofty I1imalaya range,
there arose race Of mun, who, pouring
over Europe. like swarm of loeusts, de-
vouring every green thing. and left behind
them ruin. misery and desolation. Innu.
merable as the sands on the sea shore, pit
iless as tho blast that swept their native
plains, they were in themselves sufficiently
calculated tc inspire fear in the minds of
the half civilized trihes against whom they
turned their arms; out the terror caused
by the frst arrival reached its eliminating
point. when they marshalled at last. not
by rude. unthinking savage. but by q
leader who united to consummate cunning
and dauniless valor, the most unsoundcd
and 1npitfying fcrocity king whe. by
vast success in the the field. and the pitt
less rancour with which he hunted dow n
his foes, acquired name pronounced by
bis enemies with fear and trembling. and
came 70 be known throughout the length
and breadth Of Europe as tho "Scourge of
Cod" the rod with which an outraged
Providence was supposed to suitc the na-
tions of the earth.
The Huns. for so these formidable stran-
gers were called, were wandering tribes
Of the Tartar plains. Possessing no fx-
ed abode, they wandered from place to
place, as dwellcrs in tents and keepers
of cattle. Their aspect was hideous to
behold They had Cat noses. huge
heads, broad shoulders and huge mus
cular arms. They were short of stature.
and their thin legs, weak aud crooked,
seemed unable to support the huge square
bodies and enormous heads which ap-
pearcd rather to bslong to evil demons
than mortal men. Thus they seldom
appeared on foot. all their manoeuvers
Of adysnce and retreat. Of attack and
defence, being executed on horseback.
When once mounted. horse and man
seemed to form but one creature, aud
almost to realize the ancient superstition
concerning the cenaaurs. Their skill in
archery struck chill to the hearts even
Of the brave Goths; and with their
tough lsnees thrusring sure" and their
harsh voices yelling like the howls Of
savage beast above the din Of battle,
they xwarmed like wolves through the
affrightcd fields Of southern and central
Europe. One hurIible custom they had !,
that completed the disgust and abhcr-
renee with which thrsc fcrocious stran-
gers were rcgarded--,hcy ae thrir meat
raw. Each warrior placed upon his
hors-'s back. bcncath the saddle. a great
piece Of beef or horse flesh aud when
the action Of riding had rendered the
fragment somewhat tender. the savage
would devour it wiHh the voraeity of q
famished tiger washing down his" saw
age rpast With huge drafts Of sour
milk Such wcte the Huns. -'Fesoc!ous