[ 5 8 * ] 
aTemplando , which was an antient Word that fTgm- 
fied to fee or look out . Thefe Places therefore were 
called Temples by the Heathens, becaufe they were 
holy Places, that were marked out by the Augurs for 
taking their Auguries in ; and were therefore left 
open, that the Prieft or Augur, who flood with his 
Face to the South, according to Rofinus , ( Rof Ant . 
Lib. III. c. 9.) or with his Face to theEaft, according 
to Calepine , {Cal. Diff. Templum ) might be able to 
fee all around him ; his Art of Predi&ion depending 
on the Flight of Birds, or fome Appearances in the 
Face of the Sky, which varied their Signification 
according as they fhewed themfelves, either on the 
Right Hand or Left Hand of the Augur. Whether 
the Difpofition of thefe Stones, in the Plan I have 
fent you, was defigned or accidental, with regard to 
the Points of the Compafs, I cannot fay 5 but it is 
remarkable, that there are Two Stones, which are 
fixed diredly in the North and Weft Points of this 
Circle; and Two Openings anfwering to the Eajl 
and South : So that it is poflible both our Authors may 
be in the right, and that the Prieft fometimes flood 
with his Face to theEaft, and fometimes to the South. 
The middle Stone, which was the Place where the 
Prieft flood, is lower than the reft, not being above 
Three Feet high, and was always dedicated to fome 
Deity or other; and was confecrated to that Ufe by 
the pouring on of Olive-oil : Which Cuftom was of 
very antient Date, and feems to have been borrowed 
from the Practice of the antient Patriarchs, who 
called thefe Stones Bethels . For when Jacob was 
going from Beerjheba towards Radan-Auim or Ha- 
ran, to feek fora Wife, by Command from his Father 
IJ'aac 
