2^6 A TOUR ROUND NORTH WALES. 



Siculus fays,* that condemned crimi- 

 nals ufed to be referved for five years; 

 N and, on a certain day, facrificed all toge- 

 ther. Captives of war were alfo immo- 

 lated in the fame manner. It was alfo 

 an article in their creed, that nothing 

 fliort of the life of a man, offered a fa- 

 crifice on their altars, could atone with 

 the Gods for the death of another man.-f 

 A fingular relic of the ancient facri- 

 fices of the Druids, is yet remaining in 

 fome parts of North Wales. When a 

 violent difeafe breaks out amongft the 

 horned cattle, the farmers of the diftrict 

 where it rages join, to give up a bullock 

 l for a victim, which is carried to the top 

 of fome neighbouring precipice, from 

 whence it is thrown headlong clown ; 



o 



and this they call " calling a captive to 

 " the Devil." 



* Strabo, V. 32. + C*f. VI. 16. 



It 



