214 DRUIDISM 



stone circles are equivalent to the Gilgal of Joshua ; their belief in the 

 immortality of the soul is the highest proof of the sublimity of reason ; 

 their myiUical symbol of the winged serpent attests their knowledge of 

 the trinity of revelation; and their "One God" places them upon the 

 broad platform of Christianity. 



There is even now such a charm as soothes the soul, whilst we con- 

 template their sacred esteem and pure reverence for the mistletoe and 

 holy grove, and prevents us from profanely censuring them for this al- 

 most christian idolizing. When the tierce legions of Rome overran this 

 sacred ground, trampling sacrilegiously upon their holy mysteries, and 

 making mock of their holy ceremonies, even they were awed into rever- 

 ence by the still sanctity of these groves of the Druids. Like the Ser- 

 apian temple of the ancients, these sacred oaks were preserved by the 

 mystery of fable from the ruthless hands of the conquerors. Every 

 thing else that rude soldiery could destroy and lay waste felt the deso- 

 lation of war : but 



"With silent dread and reverence, they survej'ed 

 The gloom majestic of the sacred shade, 

 A^one dare with impious steel the bark to rend. 

 Lest on himself the destiu'd stroke descend." 



In medical art, mechanical knowledge, and mysterious writing, the 

 Druids were similar, if not superior to the Egyptians •, their optical in- 

 struments are sufilcient evidence of their astronomical skill, and their 

 use of the hazel and oak and ash twigs as symbols in communicating 

 and concealing knowledge, make it plain that they possessed ^ the hie- 

 roglyphic art." Their skill in building and architecture is plainly evi- 

 denced by the 



* * * " Mysterious rows 

 Of rude, enormous obelisks, that rise. 

 Orb within orb, stupendous mountains 

 Of artless architectuie, such as now 

 Oftiraes amaze the wandering traveller. 

 By the pale moon discerned on Saturn's plains." 



There was a part of the theology of Druidism that, judged even by 

 the strict standard of revelation, merits our admiration, and, judged with 

 the allowance generally meted out to the religions of " olden time," 

 strikes us with mysterious wonder, and defies all panegyric. The start- 

 ling marvel of man's immortality, and the great truths of God's unity 

 and trinity, were discovered and preserved amid all the corruptions of 

 superstitions and false reason. The answers to the interrogatories which 

 set forth the principles of Druidism, were always three-fold, supposed 



