Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-04-01
THE ANCIENT BRITON AND HIS CORACLE.

Less than two thousand years ago the name
of Britain was almost unknown in the world.
1t sounded as strangely to the people who then
lived as the name Samoa, or that Of some other
distant island, does to us. The Romans look
ed on it as the utmost end Of the earth, and
its inhabitants as savages.
But when Julius Cesar saw from the coast
of France, then called Gaul, the white cliffs
of Britain, he resolved to visit the island. He
had no better design than to rob weak ma
ton, and to carry some Of its people as slaves
to Rome.
About hundred years after his time a
learned Roman wrote geography of the
world, and when he came to describe Britain
he said he regretted he was 80 little acquaint
ed with it, though he hoped the island and
wild natives would soon be better known.
And when the island was known it. was
found to be chiefly dark forest and wood, with
here and there open spaces cleared for cattle
to graze or on which to build few huts.
The house of Briton was made of poles
and reeds. A few stakes were driven into
the ground, the reeds woven around, and the
space filled with clay. There was no window
and no chimney; the smoke made its way out
of the roof. All the furniture inside were
one or two stools, rough table, few drink
ing cups, and spear and shield.
The dress of an ancient Briton was only
the skins of animals thrown over his shoulders
in winter, and fastened round his waist in
summer. His hair hung loose from his head {;
he wore hair on his upper lip and his flesh
i as often tattooed or pricked with sharp
point and into the wounds the juice of plant
called aDoad was rubbed.
His fare was scant he had not learned to
make butter or cheese, and he knew very lit
tie of bread If he lived near to a river,
lake, or sea, he engaged in fishing. His boat
was called coracle, kind of round-shaped
canoe made Of wicker-work, and covered with
hides of beasts to keep out the water. 1t was
very light, and could be carried on his back.
In short, these ancient Britons were no better
off than African or New Zealand chiefs; in
many cases not so we'll.
And what was his religion? He was poor
heather. After the Lord Jesus Christ had
come into the world to save sinners and the
gospel had been preached in many lands, but
few of the Britons had heard the joyful sound.
They made to themselves a large image of
branches of trees, twisted together in the shape
of human body; this body they filled with
men, women, and children that had been ia
ken in war, or were said to be guilty of crime.
Wood was then piled around the image, and
the whole set on fire.
This is Britain as 1t was. This was the
heathen state of our forefathers. Contrast it
with Britain as it u.s. Cities and towns are
spread all over the land The mansions of
the great and the cottages of the lowly, with
houses for the worship Of the true God, Gotta
ges, and schools, appear on every side. Its
ships sail on every sea, and its colonies are in
all parts of the world. 1t is the land of the
Bible and Christian knowledge, and if there
be favored spot on earth, it is the land which
was once sunk in heather crime and idola-
try.-Child's Companion.