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The universal geography : earth and its inhabitants

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64<br />

THE BRITISH ISLES.<br />

over the <strong>inhabitants</strong> of Britain which is born -of mystery. Some historians are<br />

even of opinion that Anglesey was visited by the priests of Gaul, in order to be<br />

initiated into the secret rites of Druidism. Ancient ruins, known as Terr Drew<br />

<strong>and</strong> Terr Beirdd—that is, Druids' or Bards' dwellings—still exist ;* but in fact the<br />

whole of Wales is one huge temple, if not of Druid worship, at all events of the<br />

religion that preceded it ; <strong>and</strong> everywhere we meet with caenis, springs, <strong>and</strong> ruins,<br />

which commemorate some miracle or the mythical feats of the Cymric ancestors of<br />

the modern Welsh. In these records of ancient Wales Christian legends are<br />

mingled with heathen fables, which latter survive to this day, outwardly adapted<br />

to the changing spirit of the times. Cromlechs are as numerous as in Brittany,<br />

<strong>and</strong> equally respected, for in their presence the Welshman feels himself the<br />

Fig. 27.<br />

—<br />

<strong>The</strong> Bkidges over Menai Stkait.<br />

Scale 1 : 26,000.<br />

--^r T--,

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