THE ANTIQUITIES OF FREEMASONRY.
Althougli the literature of Druidism
of
is
7
an extensive character, we really know very
little
been lately pointed out that our traditions of the Scottish and
Irish Druids are evidently derived from a time when Christianity had long been established.^
"
The Roman writers have left us little definite information on the subject they seem to have
of this obscure subject.
It has
:
a natural contempt for the superstitions of their barbarous neighbours.
Cicero, for
was a friend of the Druid Divitiacus, yet he did not think it necessary to record the
example,
result of their curious discussions.
Julius Cffisar was himself a pontiff, and published a book
felt
divination, but he noticed the foreign religions only so far as they were connected with
upon
public policy, and does not mention the British religion at
Mr
religions," says
"
'^
all."
The
history of the Celtic
Elton, "has been obscured by many false theories, which need not be
The traces of revealed religion were discovered by the Benedictine his-
discussed in detail.
torians in the doctrines attributed to the Druids
:
the Gauls adored the oak-tree,
if
could
it
only be a remembrance of the plains of Mamre if tliey slew a prisoner on a block of unhewn
school pretending to a deej^er
stone, it must have been in deference to a precept of Moses.
invented for the Druids the mission of preserving monotheism in the west. In the
philosophy
;
A
teaching of another school the Druids are credited with the learning of Phoenicia and Egypt.
The mysteries of the Thrice-great Hermes were transplanted to the northern oak-forests, and
'
'
every difficulty was solved as
Druids, to which our traditions
their dignity (at the period
as
much
it
by a reference
rose
Yet the insular
Baal or Moloch.
to
refer, are represented as being little better than conjurors,
when we
first
^\•ith
acquire any positive information respecting them)
diminished as the power of the king is exaggerated.
These Druids are sorcerers and
who pretend to call down the storms and the snow, and frighten the people with
rain-doctors,
'
'
the fluttering wi.sp
or the
'
wings.
and other childish charms.
Angekoks of the Eskimo, dressed up in
The chief Druid of Tara is shown to us
are like the
bulls'-hide coats
Eed Indian medicine-men,
and bird-caps with waving
as a leaping juggler, with ear-clasps of gold
'
balls in the air, and like the buzzing of bees on a
and a speckled cloak he tosses swords and
beautiful day is the motion of each passing the
;
"
They
'
othei r