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ture. To this dreadful dispensation kings and princes were also sub- 
ject. “ Without the Druids, who understood divination and philo- 
sophy, says Dion Chrysostom, the kings may neither do nor consult 
any thing; so that in reality they are the Druids who reign, while 
the kings, though they sit on golden thrones, dwell in spacious 
palaces, and feed on costly dishes, are only their ministers, and the 
executioners of their sentence.”* They were the sole arbiters in the 
question of peace or war; and, at the same time, had the address to 
exempt themselves from bearing arms, paying taxes, or contributing 
to the support of the state. These powers and privileges induced 
many of the first rank to join the Druidic Sodalities, though obliged 
to devote twenty years to complete the study of their doctrines and 
mysteries. In every affair of importance, these priests were con- 
sulted by the sovereign magistrates ; and all the great families of the 
kingdom thought it a happiness to have a member from each in this 
most influential order, for the purpose of protecting the rest. The 
education of the king’s children was exclusively committed to their 
charge ; and, in general, their persons were considered inviolate, 
even by an adverse party. 
In this religion, there were four degrees of priesthood, the Arch- 
Druid exercising supreme jurisdiction over all; there were also 
communities of priestesses, as well as of priests. "The Druids were 
the depositories of all sorts of learning, before learning had been 
divided ; theology, moral and natural philosophy, particularly as- 
tronomy, law, history, &c. were taught in the Druidic colleges. 
As divines, philosophers, lawyers, and chief arbiters, they were 
feared and respected by all, from the prince to the peasant. 
The Druids of Gaul celebrated their great annual festival at 
* De Recusatione magistr. in Senatu, p. 538. Edit. Paris. 
