048 
Hyperborean Apollo, were a British Celt, Britain must have 
contributed much to the learning of Pythagoras ; for Abaris 
was rather a master than a pupil to his splendid friend. 
The other ordeal took place on the Samh-in, " Fire of 
Peace," or Hallow-een. When an easy decision could not 
be obtained, the accused was obliged to clear himself, by 
walking thrice, barefooted, through the ashes of the sacred 
fire. If he escaped unhurt, heaven attested his innocence : 
if not, it was the "judgment of heaven" that he was guilty. 
This ordeal was the " Gabha-Beil," "jeopardy of Baal." It 
is, however, stated that the Druids knew of some oil, with 
which they bathed the feet of the accused, if they wished 
bim to escape, for any reason. May not this be alluded to 
in St. Paul's words, 1 Cor. iii. 15, some shall be saved "yet 
so as by fire " ? literally, " through the fire." Again, compare 
with this the words of Viro-il : — 
o 
" O patron of Soracte's high abodes, 
Phoebus, the ruling power amongst the gods, 
Whom first we serve — whole woods of unctuous pine 
Burn on thy heap, and to thy glory shine : 
By thee protected, with our naked soles 
Thro' flames unsinged we pass, and tread the kindled coals : 
Give me, propitious power, to wash away 
The stains of this dishonourable day." — Drydex. 
This is by no means the only allusion in Virgil to Celtic 
customs and feelings — or, rather, to feelings that the Celts 
had in common with the greater portion of the world. We 
may witness the sacred mistletoe, and the writing of oracles 
in leaves, from which custom our own words folio, and leaf 
of a book, may probably derive their origin. 
If there is any truth in the assertion, that the hills and 
rivers of Scotland, or other lands, have retained the names 
given to them in prehistoric times, and that, therefore, these 
names are a record of ages long past and gone, can we doubt 
