132 The Stones at Kirkmadrine. 



That blank after s in line 4 has raised many questions. It 

 is said there never was another letter. IDES was original. 

 Also, id est is called an unnatural construction, and its occurrence 

 in epigraphy is questioned. 



Now, from the photograph, and still more from actual touch 

 of the stone's face, I am convinced there was a letter after s, and 

 t is as likely as another, even the most likely. Id est was used 

 in colloquial Latin, and I see no unlikelihood in its use in this 

 connection. Id est is less unlikely than a Latinized form of a 

 Celtic chief's name Id. I do not see how Id could give Ides, nor 

 is Ide any more likely to give Ides. Id is known, Idus could be 

 accepted, but not Ides. 



There are 6 lines of inscription, but the half of the stone's 

 front has not been utilised. The repetition of the circle on the 

 stone No. 2, and the inscription on it being names seem to show 

 that stones 1 and 2 are to be read together. It will be noticed 

 also that the names are in couples in both, joined by (ET), and. 

 There is ample room on No. 1 for all that is on No. 2, and so 

 much vacant space left on both may be best explained by the 

 supposition that both stones were to be set deep in the top of 

 cairns — probably monumental. 



The first name on stone 2 is hopelessly lost, all that remains 

 being an s at the end. But the three Viventius, Mavorius, 

 Florentius, have a place in the memory of Scotsmen far beyond 

 Galloway. 



There was a third stone. A local antiquary of two genera- 

 tions ago sketched all three, and the accuracy of his sketches of 

 Nos. 1 and 2 have warranted capable judges in inferring from 

 his sketch of the lost 3 what it was like. It has the circle and 

 monogram of 1 and 2. Underneath is INITIUR, the R is for 

 M, ET FINIS (Initium et Finis). 



Let us now pass from description to consider what may have 

 been the reason for such a memorial at first. Here we enter the 

 realm of conjecture. Why was it erected ? If 450-500 be the 

 date it may mark the temporary overthrow of Christianity by 

 heathenism consequent on the irruption on all sides by Pagans 

 after the fall of Roman supremacy. Christian men may have 

 seen their hopes failing, and wished to erect a memorial of their 

 victories in the past; of their assurance of others to come. In 



