82 



The Antiquities of the 



[No. 2>% 



They go almost naked, and subsist on the produce of several 

 " buffaloes. 



" Like the priests of Budhu, they may relinquish the sacerdotal 

 *' office at their pleasure, and resume secular occupations, but are re- 

 " quired to select a successor to undertake their priestly functions." 



Diodorus Siculus, Book 2nd, chapter 3rd, speaking of Britain, 

 says — "They say thatLatona was born here, and therefore that they 

 " worship Apollo above all other gods ; and because they are daily 

 " saying songs in praise of this god, and ascribing to him the highest 

 " honors, they say that these inhabitants demean themselves, as if 

 " they were Apollo's Priests, who has there a stately grove, and re- 

 " nowned temple of a round form beautified with many rich gifts. 



" That there is a city likewise consecrated to this god, whose ci- 

 " tizens are most of them harpers, who playing on the harp, chant 

 " sacred hymns to Apollo in the temple, setting forth his glorious 

 *' acts." 



Thus Apollo is shown to be the god of the Druids who were of 

 Scythian descent. 



Half way down the north side of Dodabett where the configura- 

 tion of the mountain changes from a steep declivity into gentle hills 

 and ridges having terraced surfaces, lies one of those temples which 

 so closely connect the Scythian ancestors of the Thautawars with 

 the ancient Britons. 



It stands on an eminence projecting abruptly from that part of 

 the mountain most thickly covered with primeval groves and woods 

 through which clumps of rocks rear their head, and girt on three 

 sides by running streams, one of which washes the base of a con- 

 spicuous and elevated rock near at hand. 



The view from this point is most striking. Below to the north- 

 ward the eye ranges over an extensive landscape embracing the margin 

 of the Neilgherries and the low country of Mysore beyond. 



In the opposite direction and behind the consecrated spot rises the 

 mountain of Dodabett, its sides diversified by ravines along which 

 water constantly descends, and by groves of ancient trees covered 

 with a hoary mantle of moss. 



High and picturesque ridges emanating from the mountain confine 

 the view to the east and west. A scene more calculated to realize 

 what I had read of the spots selected by the Druids for the -exercise 

 of their religion I have never met with. It brings back most vividly 



