5

NOTES. 299
in etery family of the kingdoni. So far respecting the Druids
nnder the name of Magi.
In treating of the Druids under the name of Chaldees, or as it
has been corruptly written Culdees, and by the monks latinized
Culdai, Keldcei, and Kelidcoi, I am well aware that I have many
difficulties to contend with. One party maintain that they were
presbyterian, and another that they were episcopalian. Their
origin is totally unknown, and even the very name has afforded
scope for more than a dozen etymologies, all equally plausible,
and equally unsatisfactory. In this state of things, it will
readily be admitted, that the origin, name, and history of the
Culdees, are involved in great obscurity. Pinkarton, (vol. 2.
page 272 and 273) asserts that they were all Irish, and conse.
quently they must have received Christianity from St. Patrick or
his successors. But it is admitted, on all hands, that they were
Im/ Ecclesiastics, a circumstance which could not have happened,
had ihey been regularly ordained by St. Patrick or his succescessors,
and sent to convert Scotland. To whatever side we
turn ourselves, if we follow the common opinion respecting the
Culdees, we find uncertainty and inconsistency. But if once
we admit that the Druids were Culdees, every difficulty vanishes,
tind the simple fact is, that St. Patrick availed himself of the
aid of the Druids to convert Ireland. That, in compliance with
popular prejudice, he sanctified and made use of as many of their
temples, as suited his purpose. That these Druids were kept in
the subordinate station of lay ecclesiastics, and not admitted
to the dignity of regular clergy. That by degrees they returned
to Scotland, from which they had been expelled by the Romans,
and formed settlements to themselves independent of St. Patrick
and his successors, and maintained themselves in these settle,
ments till finally supplanted by the regular clergy about the
middle of the 13th century.
In the register of the priory of St. Andrews, we have sjme
important facts relative to the Culdees. " Habebautur taraen in
Ecclcsia S'ti Andtex, quota et quanta tunc erat, tredecim per
successionem carnalem quos JSeledeos appeljant, qui secundum