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HISTORY OF MARINE ARCHITECTURE

During the reign of the twelve Roman emperors, who, by way of a pre-eminent distinction, are generally known by the name of Caesars, very littlealteration or improvement appears to have taken place. It is by no means im-probable, that the conquerors, who undoubtedly were possessed of the strongestpolitical reflection, considered it their interests to discountenance every effortor propensity that could tend to the erection of that particular species of force,which might in time bring the possessions of the conqueror, at least into hazard,■even supposing it not to extend so far, as to permit the vassals, totally to throwoff their long imposed yoke.

The remote situation of Britain, the difficulty of procuring reinforcements ofsoldiers in case of misfortune, and the very high opinion entertained by theRomans themselves, of that courage which their tributaries had, before theirsubmission, given them such manifold proofs of, all tended not only to smoothand soften the asperity of the rulers, but make them wish to assume the charac-ters of friends, of guardians, and of protectors, rather than display the naturalhaughtiness of their disposition, or exhibit themselves in the same trait of cha-racter which they too frequently did with respect to other countries. The equip-ment of petty fleets for the assumed philanthropic purpose of protecting theirfriends, the Britons, are the only anecdotes for naval history which present

•of that nature, pressed not forward with that alacrity and spirit which they very seldom failed to displayin their military character. Caesar observing the check, ordered his gallies, (naves longas) which werenot only vessels of a particular class, to which the Britons were totally unaccustomed, but whosemotions were naturally quicker than those of any other in the fleet, to be withdrawn from among thetransports and storeships. This being done, every effort was made, first to row them as close in shoreas possible, laying their broadsides to the enemy, and then to commence as furious a discharge as theywere capable o£, from slings, arrows, and stones, as well as the different engines fitted on board thevessels, aided by the manual exertion of the soldiers who formed a part of their crews. This manoeuvrewas of the most material advantage to the Romans. The form and magnitude of the gallies, the quick•motion of the oars, and the sight of the warlike engines, struck such terror into the Britons, that theybegan to give way. Still there was a degree of hesitation apparent among the Romans, principally onaccount of the depth of ihe water, when the standard-bearer of the tenth legion, having invoked theGods that his attempt might be successful, exclaimed, Follow vie, fellow soldiers, unless you wishto abandon your standard to the enemy, for I myself will fulfil my duty to the general, and tothe republic. Having said this, he jumped resolutely into the sea, and advanced with the eagle to-wards the enemy. The Romans now' exhorting each other not to suffer such disgrace as the loss oftheir standard would be, resolutely followed his example. Their companions in the vessels which werenearest, observing the conduct of their associates, adopted the same measure, and hastened to close withstheir foes.

themselves,