collectively there comes the reaction, forming the lights and shadows of
life, just as we have the lights and shadows in nature. That reaction
must come is the inevitable law; and possibly explains why there are so
many apparent contradictions in people.

Morlaix has had an eventful history in the annals of Brittany. It takes
its name from _Mons Relaxus_, the hill that was crowned by the ancient
castle; a castle which existed at the time of the Roman occupation, if
the large number of medals and pieces of Roman money discovered in its
foundations may be taken as indicating its epoch. Many of these remains
may be seen in the small museum of the town. They date from the third
century.

The progress of Morlaix was slow. Very little is recorded of its earlier
history. Though the Romans occupied it, we know not what they did there.
Nearly all traces of Roman architecture have disappeared. The town has
been frequently sacked and pillaged and burnt, sacrilege in which the
English have had many a hand; and even Roman bricks and mortar will
yield in time to destructive agencies.

Even in the eleventh century it was still nothing more than a small
fishing town, a few houses nestling in the ravine, and sheltered by a
huge rampart on the south-west. Upon the _Mons Relaxus_, the hill giving
its name to the town, stood the lordly castle, the two rivers flowing,
one on either side, which further down unite and form one stream. To-day
all traces of the castle have disappeared and the site is planted with
trees, and quiet citizens walk to and fro beneath their shade, where
centuries ago there echoed the clash of arms and the shouts of warriors
going forth conquering and to conquer. For in those days the Romans were
the masters of the world, and seemed born only for victory.