Roman Britain

There is no reason for supposing that Britain suffered more from hostile invasion than Gaul and other portions of the Roman empire, which were over-run by barbarous or semi-barbarous peoples in the decline of the Roman empire, and no reason to believe that the Romano-British population was wholly extirpated. Roman blood mingled with the population, and Roman blood has flowed ever since in English veins, and we believe ever and anon given proof of its refining influence. We are not, however, concerned with the condition of this island after the Roman occupation ceased, but rather with the condition in which they left it, and the benefit which the island derived from that occupation; and we cannot but think that, severe and trying as its condition was for centuries after the Roman dominion ceased, yet that the effect of that domination never entirely passed away, and that we at this present day are still indebted to its influence.