Advantages derived by the Britons from their intercourse with the Romans. nearly a hundred years afterwards, the Britons were as free as ever, and paid no tribute to the imperial city.[1] Yet the Romans and ancient Britons were alike gainers by their mutual intercourse; for, from this period, their commercial intercourse rapidly increased. The corn and cattle of the Britons rose to a value hitherto unknown, while iron, and pearls of an inferior description, were eagerly sought after by the Romans. A new and vast field was opened up for their tin, lead, wool, and skins. Their slaves,[2] and dogs, of a remarkable breed, were in great demand; and were readily exchanged for the cut ivory, bridles, gold chains, cups of amber, drinking glasses, and trinkets of various kinds which the Romans exported. A considerable trade also arose between the two countries in lime, marl, and chalk, and in the manufacture of baskets, graceful in design, and curious in workmanship, for which the Britons were famous.
Conquest of Britain, A.D. 43.
Its state of civilization.
Beyond these facts, however, nothing is known of
what passed in Britain between the time when Julius
Cæsar left it, and the period when it first became
a Roman province under Claudius. When, however,
the armies of Claudius landed upon its soil, the
Britons had advanced far beyond the painted savages
who first exchanged their tin for the trinkets of
Phœnicia; and although, in the remote portions of
the island, there were still to be found many barbarous
tribes, the inhabitants of the coast and of the
commercial cities were then scarcely less civilized
