The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1905-04-02

count We have OF him, he represented
there that the British coasts were men,
aced from without; that the British
kings or rulers. either could not or
would not punish them; that If he were
given naval command he would bring
directly TO Rome all such invaders, for
such punishment as the empire might
choose 10 infiict. Some sort OF COM
mission was given to Carausius and he
returned TO Britain. There he unfolded
a daring plan which attracted the low
ers or adventure everywhere. He plan
ned TO sail entirely around the vast
Island, for island IL was assumed to be,
though no man had ever been around il.
The proposition had much of the
fascination and also much OF the APP
prehensioh of the expedition of Column
Dus, twelve centuries later. What
might not such a voyage reveal? Was
there really an end to the land in the
north, or did ii stretch on without
limit? Journeys to the north revealed
changes in the positions OF the stars
strange variations in the time of day
and night, differences in the types of
animals and plants, an ever increas-
ing degree of cold. 1t was an unknown
world into which they were to go. But
Carausius held out to his followers
promises of plumber and of license be-
yond their dreams. And still outwardly
appearing loyal to the Romans he
gathered together adventurous men
enough 10 make up large company.
The complete decentralization of
Britain was a wonderful achievement
for those days. Eight hundred miles
in length, the island seemed indeed a
continent. 1t is to be regretted that
we do not know more about the expe-
d1ton. While this event in the career
of Caransius is legendary, there is no
good reason to doubt it. Probably 1t
occurred about the year 2S6.
The company sailed gayly up the
North sea, past the familiar coasts
and into the unknown regions. They
descended upon the northern shores
and ravaged them. They visited the
islands and coast towns of Caledonia,
plundering and destroying wherever
they went. All that was worth carry
ing away they took as booty. They
were practically pirates. But they
were Injured TO war and lived in the
days when might made right. And
perhaps they did no more than the
northern tribes had long been doing to
the people of South Britain whenever
opportunity offered.
Caransius must have found the gov
eminent of his crew as difficult a task
as its organization in the first place.
Yet he was able to maintain his au-
thority over his wild followers. On
his return to the south, when he had
completed his marvellous voyage, he
boldly proposed to the Britons that he
should be their king, and that they
should drive out from the entire ISL
and every vestige of Roman power.
The slumbering spirit of discomfort
arose among the Britons and they re-
ceived the base born CaransiuS as
their sovereign.
When the Emperor Maximian learn
ed of this he at once set a price on the
head of the bold navigator and planned
the reconquest of the island. But the
British were able 10 defend themselves
with spirit, and the emperor had his
hands full of other matters of great
moment. After a time Caransius ac-
tually succeeded in securing from him
a recognition of British independence.
For about seven years, according TO
veritable history, this sailor king
reigned in Britain. AT the end of this
time he was treacherously slain by his
chief officer, Allectus by name, In
whom he had placed the greatest con-
fidence. Three years later this
traitor was overthrown by the Roman
general Constantine, and Britain again
became an important part of the en-
pire. From the old city of York, Con-
stantine, the son of Constantius, went
forth later to become the great ruler,
the builder or Constantnople, the first
of the Christian emperors.
While the story of King Caransius
the earliest British naval hero, does
not appear in the histories of Eng
land now in vogue. we are likely to
read of him in future; for the histories
which practically omit the period of
early Britain are going out of fashion,
and the committee of seven have
voiced a growing demand for books
which will give to the ancient British
race a share of attention commensu-
principal stocks from which the Brit
ish of today are descended.
Although we have so few of the de-
tails of the life of Caransius that we
are scarcely able to judge of his aims
or his motives, we may still remember
him as the leader of a great naval ex-
petition and the founder of the sea