essentially differing from Gaul in this, that they have no such thing 

 as Druids,* while the same imperial author traces it, according to his 

 knowledge (existimatur,) as coming from Britain into Gaul ; adding, 

 that those, who wish to be thoroughly initiated in its mysteries, mostly 

 go into the former country to be educated. -f- It is clear, the institu- 

 tion was not Celtic, or it would have equally flourished in Germany 

 and Italy, and the Roman would not so have wondered at it when he 

 encountered it in Gaul; while, on the other hand, the fact that those 

 parts of Wales and Gaul, which lay nearest to Ireland, were, if not 

 the only countries, at least those most deeply imbued with its disci- 

 pline, and that also the various remains ascribed to its pi'iesthood, are 

 far more abundant in Ireland, must strongly corroborate the inference 

 of that country being the fountain of the institution. 

 , These, however, are matters of speculation not to be indulged here, 

 neither would it be wholly consistent with the belief of this Essayist, 

 to illustrate the doctrine of the Irish Magi, from the state of Druidism 

 in other countries. Caesar furnishes a long discourse^ upon their 

 office as priests, instructors, and judges; their jurisdiction, their doc- 

 trine theological and philosophical; their authority, mode of election, 

 discipline, and privileges ; their belief in the immortality of the soul, 

 and their knowledge of the stars. Pomponius Mela yet more enlarges 

 on their excellencies in astronomy. Apuleius, Ovid, Lucan, and 

 Pliny,§ with greater particularity record their reverence of the mis- 

 seltoe, and their seclusion amidst oaken groves; while Caesar, (lib. 6,) 



* " Germani multum ab hac consuetudine differunt, nam neque Druides habent." — De 

 Bell. GaU. 1. 6. 



f " Disciplina in Britannia reperta atque inde in Galliam translata esse existimatur, et 

 nunc qui diligentius earn rem coe^oscere volunt, plerumque illo disoendi causa proficis- 

 cuntur." — Id. 



X De Bell. Gall. lib. 6. § Nat. Hist. I. 16. c. 44. 



