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OF THE DRUIDS. 163
cut out the fouiB of a bed and pillow, capable to
hold two persons ; as, at the north end, there is
another bed, Dr. Wallace says a couch, both very
neatly done. Above, at an equal distance from
both, is a large round hole, which is suppos'd,
not onely to have been design'd for letting in of
light and air, when the door was shut; but likewise
for letting out of smoke from the fire, for
"whieh there is a place made in the middle between
the two beds. The marks of the workman's tool
appear every where ; and the tradition of the vulgar
is,
that a giant and his wife had this stone for
their habitation, tho' the door alone destroys this
fancy, which is wholly groundless every way besides.
Dr. Wallace thinks it might be the residence
of a hermit, but it appears this hermit did
not design to ly always by himself. Just by it is
a clear and pleasant spring, for the use of the inhabitant.
I wish it were in Surrey, that I might
make it a summer study. As to the original design
of this monument, men are by nature curious
enough to know the causes of things, but they are
not patient enough in their
search; and so will
rather assign any cause, tho' ever so absurd, than
suspend their judgements, till they discover the
true cause, which yet in this particular I am resolv'd
to do. /
XXI. Now, my lord, imagine what you please
about the religious or civil use of this stone, my
difficulty to your lordship is, how they were able
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