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20 aries. Britain, the scene of his past services and of his future fame, was assigned to him as his province.

The new proconsul found, on his arrival in his province about the midsummer of 78, much work to be done, and also much to be undone. The soldiers were demoralised, the Britons were biding their time, and the Roman officers generally were flattering themselves that the subjugation of the islanders was complete. So far was it from being so, that some tribes were actually under arms, and others preparing to try once again the fortune of war. A serious loss had been sustained by the Romans shortly before Agricola's arrival. The Ordovices, seated between Cardigan Bay and the river Dee, had cut to pieces a squadron of cavalry quartered in their territory, and it was difficult at the instant to get a fresh supply of horses; for the small breed, or rather the ponies, of Britain, were not suited for cavalry. The hopes of the Britons had revived by their success. They anxiously watched the temper of their new governor. Would he be a corrupt and slothful, or an able and strenuous administrator?—for they had experienced both kinds. Should they hasten or deter their long-intended revolt, then simmering over nearly all the island from the Humber to the straits of Dover?

The summer of 78 was verging on autumn before Agricola was ready to open the campaign. Nor at first did he meet with very zealous support. The soldiers of many divisions had promised themselves the pleasure of inaction and free quarters for that year at least, while many of the officers urged him to be content for the present with watching the movements of the British chieftains. But Agricola resolved to face the