361-385, who mentions, with a loose reference, the intercourse of Charlemagne and Egbert, the emperor's gift of his own sword, and the modest answer of his Saxon disciple.

The anecdote, if genuine, would have adorned our English histories.] [Footnote 114: The correspondence is mentioned only in the French annals, and the Orientals are ignorant of the caliph's friendship for the Christian dog--a polite appellation, which Harun bestows on the emperor of the Greeks.] [Footnote 1141: Had he the choice?
M.Guizot has eloquently described the position of Charlemagne towards the Saxons.

Il y fit face par le conquete; la guerre defensive prit la forme offensive: il transporta la lutte sur le territoire des peuples qui voulaient envahir le sien: il travailla a asservir les races etrangeres, et extirper les croyances ennemies.

De la son mode de gouvernement et la fondation de son empire: la guerre offensive et la conquete voulaient cette vaste et redoutable unite.

Compare observations in the Quarterly Review, vol.xlviii., and James's Life of Charlemagne .-- M.] [Footnote 115: Gaillard, tom.ii.p.