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WIL TSHIRE MAGAZ INE. 



"multobum manibus gbande levatub onus." — Ovid. 



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By Dr. Phene, F.S.A., F.R.G.S., 



Honorary Member of the Archaeological Societies of Athens, New York, &c. 

 (Bead before the British Archaeological Association, at Devizes, August, 1880,) 



3MONG the various matters connected with these strange and 

 | impressive monuments, to which the learned have given 

 attention, is that of discovering some precedent or authority for the 

 structures, or, at least, an example of their design or construction, 

 and it must be admitted that these endeavours have so far been un- 

 successful. But there seems a generally-received opinion that there 

 is at least evidence in classical writers that temples prior to that of 

 Solomon, and of course, therefore, among many nations long after, 

 were mere enclosures, open alike to the heaven above and the winds 

 around. It must be admitted, however, that no structure like 

 Stonehenge has been described. There are three points for con- 

 sideration in connection with Stonehenge : — 1st. It is a structure 

 of at least two periods widely separated. The materials and dimen- 

 sions of the earlier structure differ altogether from those of the later 

 and grander erection. 2nd. It is not mentioned by writers of 

 antiquity, unless one passage, very doubtful as to locality, be ad- 

 mitted. 3rd. It must have been fully known to the Romans, as 

 Roman pottery and other remains attest. Yet it is not mentioned by 

 them. To these points a fourth maybe added, viz. : That it occupies 

 a very central position amongst the great sepulchral memorials 

 of the ancient British people and the site was possibly a sacred 

 vol. xix. — no. lvii. u 



