68 MYTHOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS RITES. 
this globe, and as the ruler of man’s affairs. Her chariot was kept covered 
with tapestry in a sacred grove upon an island in the seas (probably the 
isle of Rugen) in the centre of which was a calm lake. At different periods 
she visited the earth, when the priests, who alone were aware of her descent 
and who were the only persons privileged to approach her, prepared her 
chariot drawn by white cows, and led her in procession through the country. 
Everywhere the train was greeted with joyful demonstrations, and the event 
celebrated as a great festival. Her presence was the harbinger of peace; 
hostile weapons were laid aside and contending parties united like brothers 
to hail her arrival. After she had thus visited every part of the country 
and had restored peace and quiet to every hamlet, she returned to the 
sacred grove where a hundred slaves were selected to assist in bathing her 
in the sacred lake. But death was the price which these poor beings had 
to pay for the privilege of attending upon the goddess; for immediately 
after she had taken her bath they were drowned in the silent waters of the 
lake. ad 
fig. 17 is a drawing of an Alemanic idol lately discovered, but of which 
little is known. 
The priesthood among the Germans was not confined to a particular 
caste, and the reverence and privileges accorded to priests were granted to 
the office and not to the individual. Every head of a family was the priest 
of his household, and one of the oldest nobles filled the office for the district. 
Great privileges and rights were enjoyed by the priests during the session 
of the public assemblies, which was always held on the new or full moon, 
and opened by one of the order. Though without a direct or controlling 
influence in the deliberations of the people, they had, nevertheless, a great 
political power, for to them was confided the interpretation of the divination 
by the casting of lots. 
Disputes which could not be decided by human judges were left for 
decision to what was called the judgment of God, which was either a trial 
by fire, single combat, or, in particular cases, the casting of lots. | 
White horses were also kept in the sacred groves, and supported at the 
expense of the community. They were never permitted to do any ordi- 
nary work, but on solemn festive occasions were harnessed to a sacred 
chariot and driven about, accompanied by the priests and nobles; great 
attention was paid to their snorting and neighing, from which the priests 
predicted the course of future events. 
The Germans had also their priestesses, but they were not intrusted with 
the sacrificial service, for their duty was exclusively that of consulting and 
interpreting the oracles, an office to which a kind of sacred character was 
attached. Their influence was particularly great in times of war or popular 
excitement. 
At a later period there was another class of sacred virgins who were 
called Alrunes, and were esteemed as infallible prophetesses. No one 
attempted to dispute their words or commands. They lived always in the 
solitude of the sacred groves, in which the dwelling stood inclosed by a 
hedge, and were never intruded upon by any one. 
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