to Archdeacon Coxe. 



239 



Subsequent date. It is certainly a remarkable coincidence that the Phoenicians, 

 as a prototype of the sun, erected one stone, big at the bottom and the point conic, 

 like the single stone at our famous temple (Herodian, lib. 5). I cannot help 

 setting" off again. Some regard ought to to be paid to the incumbent stone within 

 the outward circle of the trench, which certainly has the appearance of an altar 

 stone originally so laid, but if once erect there can be no doubt of its having been 

 methodically and intentionally thrown down. It ought to be raised on the north 

 side, as the grouud is best fitting for it, and supported by two or three shores, 

 for the inspection of the ground under it, which might possibly attest a very 

 antient sepulchre ; a purpose for which several cogent reasons might be in- 

 ferred. Whatever Stukeley may say, there were never more than three stones 

 within the outward circle. I examined the ground minutely ; their intention is 

 manifest with a very trifling variation. ' The two that are standing point north 

 and south : consequently the eastern position was easily perceived where the 

 obeliscal stone was placed, and which are, of course, indicatory of the original 

 purpose of the temple, The fine large tumulus near the temple ought to be ex- 

 plored. I should like to be present : the apex seems to have been a little dug 

 into, but the primary interment, I am confident, has never been discovered. I 

 remarked two small flattish tumuli within the outward circle, one to the south, 

 the other north-east ; they seem to have been explored. I think there may be 

 some reason to call the trilithons the British Lechlawors (Giraldus Cambrensis, 

 Lib. II., 1). If Heraldus employed his whole army and many cattle to transport 

 one stone, was it not possible for the people who raised Stonehenge to do the 

 same ? But I confess that Wormius ought to be read with much caution and 

 doubt. These Northern writers have most of their knowledge from the Scaldic 

 bards of the tenth century, and they lied a little : say twelfth century also. Is 

 it possible the detached stones called the Grey Wethers or Sarsen stones could 

 have been transported to the spot where they now lay ? if so, is there any similar 

 stratum in the neighbourhood ? Is it also possible that these stones might have 

 once formed a Templar erection ? I have never seen them, and cannot therefore 

 form a judgment. Bethel was converted into a place of worship on account of 

 Jacob's Pillars. 'But prophecy not again any more at Bethel ; for it is the 

 King's Chapel, and it is the King's Court ' (Amos, vii., 13). Compare the strict 

 analogy of this place of worship with the obeliscal stone and temple of Stonehenge. 

 Also Gilgal, where Joshua erected pillars on his passage over Jordan (I. Sam. ? 

 vii., 6) ; Gilead, Gallied, or Mizpah, the same (see Judges and Hosea). Affairs 

 of the nation were also transacted at these places, held sacred to all covenants. 

 Hence deemed places of convocation. My best compliments, and kind regards to 

 Mr. Kennington,* and tell him I consider the conic relic covered with gold, formed, 

 with the breast-plate, the Iodain Morain and other gold ornaments as sacred to 

 the memory of Mithras. It is the mystic Bajlizle mentioned by Sanchoniathon 

 consecrated to the sun, and used by the priest or priestess in the ceremonies o£ 

 fire-worship, to Bel or Baal. The brass dagger with gold studds is exactly the 

 shape of the instrument on an entablature (if my memory serves me right) found 

 at Persepolis in the hand of a Mithraic priest offering the bull to Mithra. The 



• Evidently phonetic spelling of the name of Mr. Cunningtou, 



n a 



