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A new edition of Toland's History of the druids: - Free History Ebooks

A new edition of Toland's History of the druids: - Free History Ebooks

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136 THE HISTORYto excede him : but we must beg liis pardon, if,as he was unacquainted with history, and wantedcertain o<strong>the</strong>r qualifications, we take <strong>the</strong> freedomin our book to correct his mistakes.XI. In <strong>the</strong> iland <strong>of</strong> Lewis before-mention d, at<strong>the</strong> village <strong>of</strong> Classerniss, <strong>the</strong>re is one <strong>of</strong> thosetemples extremely remarkable. The circle consists<strong>of</strong> 12 obelises, about 7 foot high each, anddistant from each o<strong>the</strong>r six foot. In <strong>the</strong> centerstands a stone 13 foot high, in <strong>the</strong> perfect shape<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> rudder <strong>of</strong> a ship. Directly south from <strong>the</strong>circle, <strong>the</strong>re stands four obelises running out in aline;as ano<strong>the</strong>r such line due east, and a third to<strong>the</strong> west, <strong>the</strong> number and distances <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> stonesbeing in <strong>the</strong>se Avings <strong>the</strong> same: so that this temple,<strong>the</strong> most intire that can be, is at <strong>the</strong> same time])Oth round and w ing'd. But to <strong>the</strong> north <strong>the</strong>rereach by way <strong>of</strong> avenue) two straight ranges <strong>of</strong>obelises, <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> same bigness and distances withthose <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> circle ;yet <strong>the</strong> ranges <strong>the</strong>mselves are8 foot distant, and each consisting <strong>of</strong> 19 stones,<strong>the</strong> 39th being in <strong>the</strong> entrance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> avenue.This temple stands astronomically, denoting <strong>the</strong>12 signs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Zodiac and <strong>the</strong> four principalwinds, subdivided each into four o<strong>the</strong>rs ; by w hich,and tlie 19 stones on each side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> avenue betokening<strong>the</strong> cycle <strong>of</strong> 19 years, I can prove it to havebeen dedicated principally to <strong>the</strong> sun; but subordiniitelyto <strong>the</strong> seasons and <strong>the</strong> elements, particularlyto <strong>the</strong> sea and <strong>the</strong> winds, as appears by <strong>the</strong>

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