nies assembled in her towns. But since the
dispersion of the colonies of Cremona and Placentia--since the
defeat of L. Manlius in the forest of Mutina, the Boians and
Insubrians, satisfied at having recovered their independence with
their own forces, cared little to compromise themselves for the
advantage of strangers, whose appearance and numbers inspired them
with but slight confidence."--(I. 284-285.)

Hannibal felt all the importance of deciding the wavering sentiments of
this people; on them his future success or defeat depended; to do this
nothing but victory was requisite. He accordingly advanced rapidly
against the Romans, and first engaged them in a cavalry action at the
Ticinus. Victory declared for the Carthaginians. The horse of Numidia
routed the cavalry of Rome. This success, unimportant as it was,
revealed Hannibal to the eyes of the Gauls; influenced by it, the
Insubrian chiefs hastened to supply him with provisions and troops.
Hardly had the Carthaginians arrived in sight of the Roman camp at
Placentia, when a large body of the Gaulish contingent revolted from
Scipio, and contrived, though much reduced in numbers, to cut their way
through in spite of all opposition, and join Hannibal. The famous battle
of the Trebia--the first of those great victories which have rendered
immortal the genius of the Carthaginian chief--soon followed; it at once
decided the course of Cisalpine Gaul. Its immediate and ultimate effects
on the power and operations of Hannibal are well developed by our
author:--

"The fortune of Hannibal was then consolidated; more than 60,000
Boians, Insubrians, and Ligures flocked in a few days to his
standards, and raised his forces to 100,000 men. With such a
disproportion between the nucleus of the Carthaginian army and its
auxiliaries, Hannibal was in reality but a Gaulish chief; and if,
in the moments of danger, he had no cause to repent his new
situation, more than once, nevertheless, he cursed with bitterness
its inconveniences. Nothing could equal the courage and devotion of
the Gaulish soldier in the dangers of the battle-field; but under
the tent he had neither the habit nor the taste of military
subordination. The lofty conceptions of Hannibal surpassed his
comprehension; he could not understand war, unless such as he
himself carried it on--as a bold and rapid plundering excursion, of