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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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:152 THE HISTORY<strong>the</strong> First <strong>of</strong> England brought it from Scone, placingit under <strong>the</strong> coronation-chair at Westminsterand <strong>the</strong>re it still continues, <strong>the</strong> antientest respectedmonument in <strong>the</strong> world; for tho' some o<strong>the</strong>rsmay be more antient as to duration, yet thus superstitiouslyregarded <strong>the</strong>y are not. I had almostforgot to tell you, that 'tis now by <strong>the</strong> vulgar call'dJacoh-stone^ as if this had been Jacob's pillow atBe<strong>the</strong>l*. Nei<strong>the</strong>r shall I be more copious intreating <strong>of</strong> ano<strong>the</strong>r kind <strong>of</strong> stones, tho' belongingalso to our subject. They are roundish and <strong>of</strong>•vast bulk ;but so artificially pitch'd on flat stones^sometimes more, sometimes fewer in number:that touching <strong>the</strong> great stone lightly, it moves, andseems to totter, to <strong>the</strong> great amazement <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ignorant;but stirs not, at least not sensibly (forthat is <strong>the</strong> case) when one uses his whole strength.Of this sort is Maen-amher in Cornwall, and ano<strong>the</strong>rin <strong>the</strong> peak <strong>of</strong> Deiby, where<strong>of</strong> Dr. Woodwardhas given me an account from his own observation.Some <strong>the</strong>re are in Wales, one that Ihave seen in <strong>the</strong> parish <strong>of</strong> Clunmany f,in <strong>the</strong> north<strong>of</strong> Ireland, and <strong>the</strong> famous rocking stones in Scotland; <strong>of</strong> all which, and many more, in our history.Yet I cou'd not excuse it to myself, if I did notwith <strong>the</strong> soonest, let your lordship into <strong>the</strong> secret<strong>of</strong> thisreputed magic; which <strong>the</strong> no less learnedantiquary than able physician, Sir Robert Sib-* Gen. 28. 11, 18, 19, + Cluainmam,

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