their Germanic origin,[10] the enigma, if not made quite plain, will appear less difficult than before. However great the valour, and however estimable the other qualities of the Celtic race, they did not possess the patience, the perseverance, the capacity for united action, and the power of command, which characterized the Teutonic tribes; hence they would fall before them in any contest which required sustained exertion. [Sidenote: THE TEUTONES SUPPLANT THE CELTS.]Gibbon’s estimate of the character of the ancient Britons is probably correct—‘The various tribes possessed valour without conduct, and the love of freedom without the spirit of union. They took up arms with savage fierceness, they laid them down, or turned them against each other with wild inconstancy; and, while they fought singly, they were successively subdued.’ [Sidenote: ANTAGONISM OF THE RACES.] The Picts, without the artificial advantages which the Romanized Britons possessed, doubtless had the usual characteristics of the Gothic tribes. By these they were enabled, in defiance of the desultory attempts of the previous occupants of the soil, to ravage the land, until, through the efforts of Vortigern, they were confronted with foes of their own kith and kin. In our sister island, we unhappily witness, though in a subdued form, much of that animosity of race which led to the devastation and bloodshed that Gildas deplores. When will Saxon and Celt lay aside their differences, and unite for the common weal of Britain! Why should they regard each other with mutual suspicion? Why should the one triumph, and the other sink into hopeless, helpless despair? Creation groans—a prostrate world looks to united Britain and its offshoots, for that balm which may heal its woes—let it, strong in the confidence and love of its various constituent parts, faithfully fulfil its duty! [Sidenote: THE ROMAN ESTIMATION OF BRITAIN.] On reviewing this sketch of the proceedings of Rome, in relation to this distant portion of her great empire, the reader will perhaps be struck with the amount of attention which the Imperial City bestowed upon it. The classic authors speak most disparagingly of the land, and its inhabitants— Et penitus toto divisos orbe Britannos. _Virg. Ec._ I. Serves iturum Cæsarem in ultimos Orbis Britannos. _Hor. Od._ I. 35. Visam Britannos, hospitibus feros. _Hor. Od._ III. 4. Te belluosus qui remotis Obstrepit oceanus Britannis. _Hor. Od._ IV. 14.