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

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356 NOTES*(for it is not even alleged that he did it sooner), or would ihesaint have dedicated this religious edifice to a man who had beenput to death for blasphemy ?This human sacrifice being <strong>of</strong>fered, and a compromise betwixtSt. Columba and <strong>the</strong> Druids having taken place, <strong>the</strong> Druidicaltemple^ <strong>the</strong> ccdni and <strong>the</strong> Cromlech^ (if <strong>the</strong>re was one,) wouldnaturally be superseded by this <strong>new</strong> chapel, and fall into disuse.Still <strong>the</strong>re was ano<strong>the</strong>r difliculty to combat.The judicial circleand <strong>the</strong> rocking stone remained to be disposed <strong>of</strong>.Here too <strong>the</strong>Druids appear to have made a firm stand. Mr. Pepnant tells us,on <strong>the</strong> authority <strong>of</strong> Mr. Socheverell, that before <strong>the</strong> reformation,<strong>the</strong>re were here three noble marble globes placed in three stonebasons, which <strong>the</strong> inhabitants turned three times round accordingto <strong>the</strong> course <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sun. These were tlirown into <strong>the</strong>sea at <strong>the</strong> reformation, but Mr. Pennant, in 1772, found awretched substitute for <strong>the</strong>m composed <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> pedestal <strong>of</strong> a brokencross, and <strong>the</strong> supporters <strong>of</strong> a grave stone.These stoneswere <strong>the</strong>n turned round as formerly, and a tradition prevailedthat <strong>the</strong> day <strong>of</strong> judgment would come, when <strong>the</strong> pedestal onwhich <strong>the</strong>y moved was worn out, and <strong>the</strong>y still retained <strong>the</strong>Dame <strong>of</strong> Clacha-Brath—i. e. '' The atones <strong>of</strong> judgment." See.Pennants Tour in 1772.It is easy to perceive that <strong>the</strong> same compromise took placehere, as at <strong>the</strong> building <strong>of</strong> Oran''s chapel. The Druids jelia«quished <strong>the</strong> judicial circle, and <strong>the</strong> rocking stone, and receivedfrom <strong>the</strong> saint <strong>the</strong>se marble globes as a substitute. The saint,however, took care to inculcate <strong>the</strong> terrible idea, that <strong>the</strong> day<strong>of</strong> judgment would come as soon as <strong>the</strong> basons on which <strong>the</strong>seglobes rested were worn out, and this he unquestionably did, todeter <strong>the</strong>m from <strong>the</strong> practice altoge<strong>the</strong>r. But in spite <strong>of</strong> thistremendous impression, and though <strong>the</strong>y must have brf'eved thatevery time <strong>the</strong>y turned <strong>the</strong>se stones round <strong>the</strong>y were accelerating<strong>the</strong> day <strong>of</strong> judgment, still <strong>the</strong> custom prevailed as late as1772, and may perhaps prevail at <strong>the</strong> present day ; so difficultis it to eradicate inveterate superstition. These three globeswere perhaps emblematical <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Trinity, and if <strong>the</strong> saint could

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