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NOTES. 317any Gothic judicial circle in Germaoy, with the appendages ofthe altar and rocking stone, and the contest is at an end.The loss of the original name has greatly obscured the historyof Stonehenge. Gelcossa's temple in Ireland, (see Toland, p. 71.)and a Druidical circle near the house of Clj/Jte, in the parish ofKiltearn, in Scotland, are diminutive imitations of Stonehenge.Will Pinkarton also insist that these were the supreme courts ofthe British Belgce ?Cajsar informs us (lib.6. cap. 13.) that the chief school of theDruids was in Britain, and that those who wished to study theirdoctrines more perfectly, used to repair thither for that purpose.Now as Stonehenge is a structure of unequalled extent aud magnificence,is it not most natural to infer that it was the chief settlementand school of the Druids in Britain ;admit that it was well situatedaud every one willfor an easy intercourse with theContinent, whence (Cajsar says) students resorted. If this hypothesisis well founded, then the Welsh name Choir Gout—i. e." the great assembly, or school," is extremely appropriate.The Celts have always been remarkable for denominating placesor things from the use to which they were applied.Csesar (lib.6. cap. 13.) says " the Druids assemble in a temple (consecratedplace) at a certain season of the year, in the territories of theCarHutes, which is reckoned the centre of all Gaul.'' Here isanothtr Druidical temple for Mr. Pinkarton. In the Gaeliclanguage Caer signifiesAzfO a congregation or assembly.a city, and Noid or Noit, (pronouncedCacr-noit, or Caer.nut^ thensignifies the town of the assembly, to which the Romans addedtheir termination es, and formed Carnutes,Note LI.—Page 143.Human sacrifices offered by the Druids^ ^'c.—Dr. Smith, inhis History of the Druids, has strained every nerve to prove thatthey oflfercd only criminals. But this will not do. Cajsar (lib,6. cap. 16.) is so particular on this head, as to leave not even ashadow of doubt on the subject. " They reckon," says he,'' tjiose who have been taken in theft, robbery, or any otherS vS