CHAPTER CIV. EUROPE Continued.

Origin of the French nation.

-The Gauls.

1. THE ancient name of France was Gaul, and the inhabitants, called Gauls, were one of those warlike tribes of which I have just been speaking. At a very early date, they appear to have been numerous and powerful. In the year 389 before Christ, they invaded Rome, under Brennus, and took that city, but were expelled by Camillus. 2. Under another Brennus they invaded Greece, as I have told you. In the time of Julius Cæsar, the Gauls had made some little progress towards civilization; but they were still a barbarous people, and retained many practices that belong only to savages. They had, however, many cities defended by strong walls.

3. When Cæsar entered the country, he found the Gauls sorely pressed by some of the German tribes. At first, he affected to be the deliverer of the Gauls from these troublesome enemies.

4. But the people soon discovered that Cæsar's real design was to conquer them. They then began to resist, and for nine long years they fought Cæsar and his armies with admirable skill and spirit. But the Romans were better versed in the art of war than the Gauls, their soldiers were better trained, and their implements of war were superior.

5. Notwithstanding all this, so brave and obstinate were the Gauls in the defence of their country, that it required all the genius of Julius Cæsar, one of the greatest leaders that ever lived, aided by the immense power of Rome, to subdue them.

6. Cæsar was occupied no less than nine years in conquering the Gauls, and it is supposed a million of men were slain in the bloody struggle. From the time of Cæsar's conquest, about fifty years before Christ, Gaul

was a Roman province, and the people gradually adopted the manners and customs of the Romans. Even their language became changed, and assumed a resemblance to the Latin. But between the third and fourth century, the Franks, a German tribe, whom I have mentioned, got possession of the greater part of Gaul.

7. It is said that the Franks who first established themselves in Gaul, were led by Pharamond. He died in 428, and was succeeded by his son Clodio, who was celebrated for the beauty of his hair. Clodio died in 448, and was succeeded by Meroveus; Meroveus died in 458, and was succeeded by Childeric. Very little is known of these kings, except the last.

Of

QUESTIONS. 1. What was the ancient name of France? the people? What did they do under Brennus ?-2. When did they invade Greece? What of them in the time of Julius Cæsar? What of their cities ?- -3. What did Cæsar find on entering the country? 4. What did the people soon discover? What did they do? What of the Romans -5. What of the Gauls? What was required to subdue them?. -6. What was the consequence of this struggle between the Gauls and Romans? What of Gaul from this What of the Franks ?- -7. Pharamond? Clodio? MeroWhat of these kings?

time?

veus?

CHAPTER CV. EUROPE continued.

and little King Pepin.

About Clovis

1. CHILDERIC is considered the founder of the French monarchy. He was succeeded by his son Clovis, who, when he was only nineteen years old, drove the Romans out of France, and afterwards gained a great victory over the Germans.

2. As Clovis had married a Christian princess, he attributed his success to the God whom she worshipped. He therefore determined to become a Christian himself, and was baptized, with three thousand of his subjects, on

Christmas day, in the year 496. After the death of Clovis, France was divided among several petty kings, who quarrelled among themselves, and caused great trouble to the nation. The wife of one of them was accused of murdering ten kings, or children of kings.

3. Little King Pepin, otherwise called Pepin the Short, thrust all the other kings from their thrones, and made himself sole ruler of France. He was a very small man, being only four feet and a half high; but he had a mighty spirit in that little body.

4. Moreover, he had an enormous deal of strength. Knowing that some of his courtiers made fun of his little size, he resolved to show them that there was as much strength in him as there might be in a giant. He therefore invited them to see a fight between a lion and a bull.

5. The lion gave a tremendous roar, and leaped upon the bull's back, sticking his claws deep into the flesh, and the bull also roared with pain and terror, as well he might. Then little King Pepin, standing on tiptoe on his throne, to make himself as tall as he could, roared out to his courtiers, though not perhaps so loud as either the bull or the lion

6. "Which of you all will make that lion let go his hold?" The courtiers all stood silent and abashed; for not one among them had any notion of venturing within reach of the lion's claws. "Then I'll do it myself!" said King Pepin the Short. So the valiant little king leaped down from his throne, and drew a sword, perhaps almost as longas himself, and brandishing it in the air, ran up to the lion, who was still clinging to the mad bull's back.

7. When the lion beheld this terrible small champion, he doubtless opened his enormous jaws, as if he would snap him up at a mouthful. But little King Pepin made a blow at him with his sword, and struck him upon the neck.

8. Down fell the lion's head on one side of the bull, and down fell his body on the other! And from that time

forward, the courtiers might as well have taken a roaring lion by the mane, as have laughed at little King Pepin.

What of Clovis ?

QUESTIONS. 1. Who was Childeric? 2. Why did Clovis determine to be a Christian? When was he baptized? What of France after his death? What of the kings?

-3, 4. Describe little King Pepin. What did he invite his courtiers to see?- -5, 6, 7. Relate King Pepin's encounter with the lion. -8. How did his bravery affect his courtiers?

CHAPTER CVI. EUROPE continued.--The Reign of Charlemagne.

1. KING Pepin the Little had a son, who was called Charlemagne, or Charles the Great. The epithet was given him because he was a mighty king and conqueror, but he also deserved it on account of his height, which is said to have been unusually great.

2. Charlemagne used to wear a sheepskin cloak, and

when he saw his courtiers richly dressed, would invite them to go hunting with him. On these occasions he took care to lead the way through all the thorns and bushes he could find, on purpose that his courtiers might tear their fine clothes in following him.

He subjugated

3. This king was continually at war. the Saxons, and other tribes who lived in Germany, and likewise made conquests in Spain and Italy. At length, ruling over France, Germany, and other countries, he wished for the title of Emperor of the West.

4. Accordingly, he went to Rome, and knelt down at the high altar of the church as if to say his prayers. There was a large congregation in the church, who were much edified by the devout behaviour of Charlemagne, and while he was kneeling, the pope stole softly behind him, and placed the imperial crown upon his head.

5. This was the crown which all the old emperors of Rome had worn, and when the people beheld it on the head of Charlemagne, they shouted, "Long live the emperor !" Charlemagne pretended to be surprised and angry; but he took care to keep the imperial crown upon his head.

6. Charlemagne died in the year 814, when he was quite an old man. While he was alive, as I have mentioned, he wore a sheepskin cloak; but after he was dead, his attendants dressed him in robes of imperial purple.

7. They placed a throne of gold in his sepulchre, and set the dead body of the gray-bearded old emperor upon it. A sword was girded about his waist; he had a golden crown upon his head, a golden sceptre and shield at his feet, a golden chalice in his hand, and a Bible upon his knees.

8. Over the sepulchre, there was a magnificent triumphal arch, with an inscription to the memory of the mighty Charlemagne. And having wasted all this splendour the senseless corpse, the attendants shut up the tomb, and went to pay their court to Charlemagne's successor.

upon