039 
some time after our era, bear inscriptions in the Phenician 
character, which probably was the character used by the 
Hebrews. The names of some of the letters in the Irish 
alphabet are almost identical with those of the Hebrew, e.g., 
Aleph, Ailm ; Beth, Beth ; Iod, Iodha ; Mem, Muin ; Nun, 
Nuin ; Pe, Pieth ; Resh, Ruis. And as the Irish letters are 
named after trees (among which is the vine, not a native of 
Ireland), it is, to say the least, a very strange coincidence. 
The number also of the Irish letters corresponds with the 
original alphabet of Phenicia and with the Greek, before 
new letters were added, which, some say, was about the 
time of the Trojan war ; thus apparently throwing the con- 
nection between Ireland and Phenicia to a period very far 
distant. 
We might add a threefold ministry — Druids, Bards, and 
Eubates (or Vates), supposed to be students, literally " pro- 
mising youths" — corresponding with priests, Levites, and 
schools of the prophets. 
So also the use of the cross, as a sacred emblem. This 
was common to the Egyptians, Hindoos, and Phenicians ; 
and though now adapted to Christian worship, and become 
the emblem of a high and purer mystery, was nevertheless 
in use before our era. In Ezekiel ix. 4 and 6, where the 
Almighty commanded the man clothed in linen to go through 
the city and mark certain of the people in the forehead, the 
Hebrew and Vulgate read, " Mark with the mark Tau ;" and 
the Phenician Tau, the last letter of their alphabet, was a 
cross. 
The Egyptian Tau is too well known, as a sign or emblem 
of life, to require more than a passing allusion. The globe 
and cross was carried by the representation of the Ibis. 
Saturn's monogram was a cross and ram's horn. Jupiter 
often bore a cross with a horn. Venus a circle and cross. 
It is used in India. Two, at least, of the principal 
