Celtic Mythology and Religion

THE "DRUID" CIRCLES.*
The circles of rude, undressed stones found in various
parts of the British Isles have been for the last two
centuries alike the puzzle and the contention ground
of archaeologists. At the present time, the theories
as to their origin and use are at least as numerous
as the individuals who treat of them ;
and, in such
a chaos of opinions, a rational conclusion is difficult
of attainment. Much, however, has been done
during the last quarter of a century in clearing up
the beliefs and customs of primitive man, and more
accurate knowledge has been obtained about modern
savages : in fact, a new science has been added to
the many other " ologies," this one being called
Anthropology—the science of man and civilisation.
Much has also been done in settling the leading points
of European ethnology ;
for the science of language
has been accepted as the basis and main source of
study in tracing the affinity of the nations of Europe,
and the result is that the leading facts of the ethnology
of Europe are known and " fixed." In
regard to the British Isles,
quite a small revolution
has occurred since the publication of Mr. Elton's
* The drawings of Druid Temple, Clava Cairns—north and
south, and the northern cairn of Clava are from original
etchings by Mr. Smart, who gave valuable assistance and
suggestions throughout.
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