5

NOTES. 317
any Gothic judicial circle in
Germany, with the appendages of
the attar and rocking stone, and the contest is at an end.
The loss of the original name has greatly obscured the history
of Stonehenge. Gelcossa's temple in Ireland, (seeToland, p. 71.)
and a Druidical circle near the house of Cli/ne, in
Kiltearn, in Scotland, are
the parish of
diminutire imitations of Stonehenge.
Will Pinkarton also insist that these were the supreme courts of
the British Belgae ?
Caesar informs us (lib. 6. cap. 13.) that the chief school of the
Druids was in Britain, and that those who wished to study their
doctrines more perfectly, used to repair thither for that purpose.
Now as Stonehenge is a structure of unequalled extent and mag.
niiicence, is it not most natural to infer that it was the chief set.
tl^ment and school of the Druids in Britain ;
and erery one will
admit that it was well situated
for an easy intercourse with the
Continent, whence (Cajsar says) students resorted.
If this hy.
pothesis is well founded, then the Welsh name Choir Gout—i. e.
f the great assembly, or school," is extremely appropriate.
The Celts have always been remarkable for denominating places
or things from the use to which they were applied.
Cassar (lib.
6. cap. 13.) says " the Druids assemble in a temple (consecra.
ted place) at a certain season of the year, in the territories of the
Carnutes, which is reckoned the centre of all Gaul." Here is
another Druidical temple for Mr. Pinkarton. In the Gaelic
language Caer signifies a city, and Noid or Nait, (pronounced
iVu^) a congregation or assembly. Caer.noitf or Caer.nut, thea
signifies the town of the assembly, to which the Romans added
their termination es, and formed Carnuies.
Note LI.—Page 143.
Human sacrifices offered by the Druids, Sfc.—Dr. Smith, ia
his History of the Druids, has strained every nerve to prove that
they offered only criminals. But this will not do. Caisar (lib.
6. cap. 16.) is so particular on this head, as to leave not even a
shadow of doubt on the subject. " They reckon," says hp,
" those who have been taken in theft, robbery, or any other
% s