n be collected. We
have followed the Alexandrian critics in the west; let us now follow a
personal observer in the east, Caesar--himself _a great part of the
events_ that he describes. The Britons of Kent first appear as either
tributaries or subjects to one of the Gallic chiefs, Divitiacus, king of
the Suessiones, or people of Soissons in Champagne; so that they are the
members of a considerable empire, or at least of an important political
confederation, before a single Roman plants his foot on their island.
But the vassalage is either partial or nominal, nor is it limited to the
members of the Belgic branch of the Gauls; for the Veneti were a people
of Brittany, whose name is still preserved under the form Vannes, the
name of a Breton district, and who were true Galli. Yet, in the next
year, they call upon the Britons for assistance, which is afforded them,
in the shape of ships and sailors; the Veneti being amongst the most
maritime of the Gallic populations.

[Sidenote: B.C. 56.]

In looking at these two alliances it may, perhaps, be allowed us to
suppose that the parts most under the control of Divitiacus were the
districts that lay nearest to him, Kent and Herts; whereas it was the
southern coast that was in so intimate a relation with the Veneti. This
is what I meant when I said that the sovereignty of Divitiacus might
have been partial.

[Sidenote: B.C. 55.]

Caesar prepares to punish the islanders for their assistance to his
continental enemies; partly tempted by the report of the value of the
British pearls, a fact which indicates commerce and trade between the
two populations. The Britons send ambassadors, whom Caesar sends back,
and along with them Commius the _Attrebatian_, a man of the parts about
_Artois_. _Commius_ the _Crooked_, as, possibly, he was named, from the
Keltic _Cam_, and a namesake of the valiant Welshman David _Gam_, who
fought so valiantly more than 1300 years afterwards at Agincourt. He was
a king of Caesar's own making, and had had dealings with the Britons
before; with whom he had, also, considerable authority. From him Caesar
seems to have obtained his chief preliminary information. But he applied
to traders as well; telling us, however, that it was only the coast of
Britain that was at all well known. He is resisted and cut off from
supplies at landing, and unexpectedly attacked after he has succeeded in
doing so. So that he finds reason to respect both the valour and the
pruden