THE CULDEES.
56
Heredom^ could ever have
sovereign Prince of
at Icolmkill.'
desired
it to
be in the mysteries framed
'
first
"
Mr
Herbert further contends that the stories and proverbs he has adduced, show that some
such ideas were once connected with Culdeism. But if subsequently to Adamnan and Bede,
no such opinions prevailed either in books or in vulgar estimation, these legends must date
from anterior times, and from the very beginning. "When general charges exist against a
body, and are believe d by many, any given tale to their prejudice
invention.
But
if
no such general opinion
may be
false
and of recent
hath prevailed at any known time,
must flow from the fountain head.
This
prevails, or
that opinion
specific tales or proverbs involving
more certain when the things said of the parties are not said against
them. But the legend of St Oran was evidently not commemorated to their prejudice. No
inferences were drawn from it, the consequences which it involves were not evolved, and
latter proposition is the
the reputation which
it
tends to
fix
upon them did not adhere
to them."
1 Mr Herbert cites a French Masonic
work, in which, what is spoken of as the eighteenih degree, is declared to have
been established "first at Icolmkill,'' and afterwards at Kilwinning (British Magazine, 1844, vol. xxvi., p. 12).