We have no reason to believe that the first germ of London was anything greater than this. Milton supposes that so many traditions of old British kings could not have been handed down without a foundation in truth; and the classical origin of London, though rejected by himself, was not only firmly believed by people in general as late as the reign of Henry the Sixth (to whom it was quoted in a public document), but was maintained by professed antiquaries,--Leland among them.[3] It is probable enough that, before Cæsar's time, the affairs of the country may have been in a better situation than he found them; and it is possible that something may have once stood on the site of London, which stood there no longer. But this may be said of every other place on the globe; and as there is nothing authentic to show for it, we must be content to take our ancestors as we find them. In truth, nothing is known with certainty of the origin of London, not even of its name. The first time we hear either of the city or its appellation is in Tacitus, who calls it Londinium. The following list, taken principally from Camden, comprises, we believe, all the names by which it has been called. We dwell somewhat on this point, because we conclude the reader will be pleased to see by how many _aliases_ his old acquaintance has been known. Troja Nova, Troynovant, or New Troy. Tre-novant, or the New City, (a mixture of Latin and Cornish). Dian Belin, or the City of Diana. Caer Ludd, or the City of Ludd.--These are the names given by the fabulous writers, chiefly Welsh. Londinium.--_Tacitus, Ptolemy, Antoninus._ Lundiniuin.--_Ammianus Marcellinus._ Longidinium. Lindonium, (Λιδονόνιον).--_Stephanus_ in his Dictionary. Lundonia.--_Bede._ Augusta.--The complimentary title granted to it under Valentinian, as was customary with flourishing foreign establishments. Lundenbyrig. Lundenberig. Lundenberk. Lundenburg. Lundenwic, or wyc. Lundenceastre (that is, London-_castrum_ or camp). Lundunes. Lundene, or Lundenne. Lundone.--Saxon names. Lundenceastre is Alfred the Great's translation of the Lundonia of Bede. Luddestun. Ludstoune.--Saxon translations of the Caer Ludd of the Welsh. Londres.--French. Londra.--Italian. The letter _r_ in these words is curious. It seems to represent the _berig_ or _burgh_ of the Saxons; _quasi_ Londrig, from Londonberig; in which case _Londres_ would mean London-borough.