OF THE EOMAN EMPIRE 141 By the definition of a pastoral nation, I have recalled a long description of the economy, the warfare, and the government that prevail in that stage of society ; I may add that to fishing as well as to the chase the Hungarians were indebted for a part of their subsistence ; and, since they seldom cultivated the ground, they must, at least in their new settlements, have sometimes practised a slight and unskilful husbandry. In their emigrations, perhaps in their expeditions, the host was accompanied by thou- sands of sheep and oxen, which increased the cloud of formidable dust, and afforded a constant and wholesome supply of milk and animal food. A plentiful command of forage was the first care of the general, and, if the flocks and herds were secure of their pastures, the hardy wamor was alike insensible of danger and fatigue. The confusion of men and cattle that overspread the country exposed their camp to a nocturnal surprise, had not a still wider circuit been occupied by their light cavaln,', perj^etu- ally in motion to discover and delay the approach of the enemy. After some experience of the Roman tactics, they adopted the use of the sword and spear, the helmet of the soldier, and the iron breast-plate of his steed ; but their native and deadly weapon was the Tartar bow ; from the earliest infancy, their children and servants were exercised in the double science of archery and horsemanship ; their arm was strong ; their aim was sure ; and, in the most rapid career, they were taught to throw themselves backwards, and to shoot a volley of arrows into the air. In open combat, in secret ambush, in flight or pursuit, they were equally formidable ; an appearance of order was maintained in the fore- most ranks, but their charge was driven forwards by the impatient pressure of succeeding crowds. They pursued, headlong and rash, with loosened reins and horrific outcries ; but, if they fled, with real or dissembled fear, the ardour of a pursuing foe was checked and chastised by the same habits of irregular speed and sudden evolution. In the abuse of victory, they astonished Europe, yet smarting from the wounds of the Saracen and the Dane; mercy they rarely asked, and more rarely bestowed; both sexes were accused as equally inaccessible to pity, and their appetite for raw flesh might countenance the popular tale that they drank the blood and feasted on the hearts of the slain. Yet the Hungarians were not devoid of those principles of jus- tice and humanity which nature has implanted in everj' bosom. The licence of public and private injuries was restrained by laws and punishments ; and in the security of an open camp theft is the most tempting and most dangerous offence. Among the
