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or elegant in form, the articles found nearer the surface of the barrow may be deemed, their high antiquity cannot be disputed; for although the grape cup exceeds in beauty and novelty of design, any we have as yet discovered, the other cups of unbaked clay, and rude workmanship, bespeak the uncivilized æra to which the construction of this sepulchral mound may be justly attributed.

the following articles were discovered. 1. Thirteen gold beads made in the form of a drum, having two ends to screw off, and perforated in two places on the sides for the purpose of stringing. 2. A thin plate of the same metal, six inches in length, and nearly three in width, richly wrought, and perforated at the four corners. 3. Another ornament in form of a cone, decorated with circles and zigzags, and fitted closely to a piece of dark wood, like ebony, on which the marks of the pattern still appear impressed: the bottom part of this article is also perforated. The above are all of pure thin gold, neatly worked, and highly burnished. The large flat plate must have been like the cone, strengthen ed by a strip of wood behind; and the whole, by their general perforations, are strongly marked as forming the decorative accoutrements of some distinguished British chieftain. Besides the above, were two small articles in gold, resembling lit-sult, or with absolute disappointment. tle boxes, about an inch in diameter, with a top, in the form of a cone, to take off... Besides the above precious articles of gold, we discovered large plates of amber, and above a thousand beads of the same sub

stance, and of different sizes; also a curious little cup, studded over with projecting knobs, which appear to have been first, made in the form of glass stoppers to a bottle, and afterwards inserted into the circular holes of the cup, which had been previously drilled for receiving them: between these grape like protuberances are other perforations, which still remain

open.

Such accidental and rare acquisitions, as it may easily be supposed, have been sufficient to fill the heads of the labourers employed in similar researches, with notions of hidden treasures; and treasures certainly have been discovered in tombs ; though, not in any which contain remains of antient Britons. On the con been diligently explored, with little retrary, numbers of these sepulchres have

The plough has levelled hundreds of barrows to uniformity of surface with the surrounding ground; nor these alone; for many of the earthern works, tinguishable, except by an experienced or slighter fortifications, are not disThe eye. stronger defences are mostly circular, but irregular; they consist of a substantial bank thrown up, with a ditch in front, or sometimes of two banks and two ditches. Sir R. seems rather to wonder at the irregularity of their form: the probability is, that they were Such was the result of our researches in beside following the curve of the hill, surrounded by woods; that their course 1803; but, not being completely satisfied, was accommodated to the situation of and still thinking that the primary inter- the trees; and that a noble old oak, or ment had escaped our vigilance, I was anxious that a further trial should be made, a group of majestic oaks, afforded what which took place in July 1807, and was modern Engineers would call a point attended with success; for, on the same d'appui, a strengthening support to the level, and within a few inches of the very bank raised, and especially to the timspot where the golden trinkets and the am-bers which in vast rows finished the ber beads had been found, we discovered two cups, the one placed within the other. The largest of those was covered with a profusion of zigzag ornaments, but on taking out, was unfortunately broken to pieces; the smaller one, containing about a pint, is quite plain, and in good preservation-with a necklace of amber beads, a small lance head, and a pin of brass. Stili pursuing our excavations to the floor of the barrow, we there found an oblong cist, about eighteen inches deep, which contained a simple interment of burned bones, unaccompanied with either arms or trinkets. This was certainly the primary funereal deposit; but however rich in materials

upper part. These might often be laid from tree to tree; but, no British fortification was complete without them; and they were compacted together with great labour and skill.

STOCKTON WORKS, originally surrounded by a ditch and a single rampart of earth, says our antiquary, answer in a great degree to the account transmitted to us by the classical authors, of the ancient towns of the Gauls and Britons. Cæsar in speaking of the capital of the British chieftain Cassivellaunus, says Oppidum autem Britanni vocant,

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great lightuess to the work; breaking its from east to west; the lowest being 16 feet uniformity, and rising gradually in height, 3 inches, in height; the second 17 feet 2 inches; the highest 21 feet, 6 inches. About four feet, is buried under ground. The small stones are about seven feet and a

quum sylvas impeditas vallo atque of a large oval, formed by five pair of fossa munierunt,' The Britons call trilithons, or two large upright stones, that a town, which is but a thick wood, with a third laid over them, as an impost, fortified with a ditch and rampart :-and-by being divided into pairs they give the geographer Strabo, speaking on the same subject, says · Eorum urbes sunt nemora: latissimos enim circos, dejectis obstruunt arboribus, ubi constructis tiguriis, et ipsi pariter et armenti Stabulantur.' Their towns are woods, broad and circular (inclo-half high; twenty three inches wide, at sures), where they cut down the trees, build huts, and live in them, together with their herds.

Sir R. finds a distinction between those circumvallations which have the the ditch on the outside, and those which have the ditch on the inside: the first, he concludes are military; the other religious. Perhaps, they might be judicial; some of them appear to be nothing too large to be covered with a roof.

the base; decreasing to twelve inches at the top. The altar stone is fifteen feet long.

Cunnington, has induced me to add a The following letter, received from Mr. fourth plan of Stonehenge.

ment of the Britons, I bave been surprised "On viewing the remains of this monuthat the following question never occurred to those writers who have considered the subject, viz. Why did the Britons, in erecting Stonehenge, make use of two kinds of stone, which are totally dissimilar to each STONEHENGE, the "glory of Wilt-will perceive that the stones on the outside other?" Any person versed in mineralogy, shire,” and the "wonder of the west,' was probably both religions and judicial: at least, it is very credible, that here were held the general assemblies of the chiefs of the nation. Our readers, by turning to LITERARY PANORAMA, Vol. VII. 52, may find traces of a part of its history; and further progress is made in the article under report. We therefore, take a pleasure in contributing a conjecture, by which additional light may be thrown on this obscure and intricate subject.

p.

An epitome of our author's account, will properly introduce our ideas.

This remarkable monument is situated on the open down. Jeffery of Monmouth, says, that "Aurelius [by others called Ambrosius] wishing to commemorate those who had fallen in battle, with Hengist, set up these stones by the assistance of

Merlin.

circle and its imposts, as well as the five
of the work, those composing the outward
large trilithons are all of that species of
stone called sarsen, which is found in the
neighbourhood; whereas the inner circle
of small upright stones, and those of the
interior oval, are composed of granite,
from some part of Devonshire or Cornwall,
horn-stone, &c. most probably brought

procured at a nearer distance.
as I know not where such stones could be

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led to suppose that Stonehenge was raised In considering the subject, I have been at different æra: that the original work consisted of the outward circle and its im posts of the inner oval of large trilithons; ferior stones, were raised at a later period; and that the smaller circle and oval, of infor they add nothing to the general grandeur of the temple, but rather give a littleif according to Smith, you add the two ness to the whole; and more particularly, small trilithons of granite."

Sir Richard is delighted with this idea; and very justly; it has been our opinion for years: it reduces Stonehenge to a conformity with the simplicity of all known structures of the kind; it removes the intricacy now too visible in

Sir R. reports the works, on this subject of Inigo Jones, Mr. Webb, Aylett Sammes, Dr. Stukeley, Wood, the Architect, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Smith, and others, not omit ting the Celtic Researches of Mr. Davies A correct plate renders the present state of this antiquity very intelligible. The sacred circle is composed of stones full thir-its composition; and it affords an op teen feet high, and nearly seven feet broad portunity of doing justice to the origin This circle consisted originally of thirty al builders, thrown deeply into the stones, of which seventeen are standing. night of antiquity; and to the records The CELL OF SANCTUM, represents two thirds of history, which have been treated as VOL. V. No. 26.Lit. Pan. N. S. Nov. 1. I

fable, by those who had not obtained so much as a glimpse of their real import.

The twelve stones

oval :-about seventeen feet in height. On what account this was displaced can only be conjectured: perhaps it Triplicity was the great basis of the was polluted (by human blood?) during Druidical religion, calculations, and con- the Saxon massacre. structions; it is, in fact, the key to the of the oval, are the number of months whole. The nearest mathematical figure in the year,-(and this number is as that can be formed to represent Stone-old as the days of Moses ;)—the stones henge, may be obtained in the following manner :

of the circle being ten times three (thirty) are equal to the number of days in the month and these numbers multiplied into each other give (360) the days of the ancient year, and of the degrees in a circle. This last particular is, however, liable to some ambiguity.

the triple series of smaller stones; and this, as is recorded, in commemoration of a most notorious and distressing eventno less than the massacree commanded

Divide a line, representing THREE hundred feet, into THREE parts: then will each part represent one hundred feet; allot the central hundred feet to the sacred circle of great stones: strike this circle; and divide each of its When history, supported by unvarying semi-diameters into THREE parts: from tradition, affirms a fact, it is not to be the third part nearest the centre, open lightly reprobated as false. We, therethe compasses to the half distance before, do believe, that Ambrosius placed tween the centre and the opposite side of the circle; this done on both sides, gives the oval; but, the oval was truncated at both ends, by turning the trilithon which formed each end to face the centre. The figure is now complete; and the measures are those of the real structure. Thus the whole sacred enclosure is divided into three separations the outer one for the people; the second for the demi-consecrated attendants; and the inner apartment, or most holy place, for the superior priesthood. Such was the triplicity of consecration on Mount Sinai-the people were below; Nadab and Abihu with the seventy elders, half way up; but only Moses (and Joshua?) on the summit of the Mount. Such was the triplicity of the temple at Jerusalem; the courts of the people, and the altar; the temple itself; and the most holy place: such was the triplicity of the temples of Egypt and Greece; the peribolos, or court around the altar; the naos, or sacred structure; divided into two apartments, of which the adytum, or supposed residence of the deity, was the most sacred. But, as this oval is at present imperfect, by the absence of the trilithon at the entrance, --having only ten stones standing instead of twelve, four times three] it must be remarked that the stone which now lies opposite the avenue, vulgarly called the slaughtering tone, is of the same nature, and of the same dimensions, as the Buge trilithons still standing in the

by Hengist. Our readers have seen (loc.
cit.) that the number of British chiefs de-
puted to meet the Saxons, was "three, and
three score, and three hundred” (363) :
of these only three escaped with life, des-
perately wounded: the number slain,
therefore, was three hundred and sixty.
Now, the circumference of the outer
circle, or circumvallation, measures three
hundred and sixty-nine yards; allow-
ing nine yards for the opening of the
avenue, the circumference would receive
three hundred and sixty stones; the
size of those standing, which measure
in width less than three feet. Possibly,
then these represent the three hundred
and sixty British chiefs, who, being of
the laity, were stationed in the area
proper to the people. But, the Bards,
also, were assembled at this famous ca-
rousal; aud unquestionably their order
suffered, severely; for we read, that
Hengist, himself, "slew the chief bard,
Owen, with many others," say forty:
which is the number of stones erected
between the sacred circle and the oval.
Within the oval the number of stones is
sixteen, which appears to be a proportion.
ate, and very credible number, for that
of the priests slain; placed in the sanc-
tum sanctorum, where only priests
might enter. If these calculations ap-
proximate truth, they shew the com-

[214

memorative nature of these smaller, hypothesis has been defeated by being stones; they explain on what foundation Ambrosius has been described as the builder of Stonehenge; and they correct, while they justify, both tradition and history.

carried too far; and many more have been impaired by being overloaded, with superabundant particulars. The histo-, rians and antiquarians of our countrd, if they endure examination, the views. will know how to appreciate these: any of History which they open will not be

A commemoration of another kind may be allowed to confirm this: for Ambrosius certainly founded at Ambrose-lost on competent judges. bury, a college of monks in number three hundred and sixty.* this is supposed the silent dead. We have recalled thou We have trod the solemn mansions of to be the correct number, though some sands of years from the lapse of ages. histories say three hundred. This was We have penetrated into the houses of the nearest possible station, and closely the living, the depositories of the de-.. adjoining to the hills in which these parted, the sanctuaries of the religious. British chiefs were deposited. It is We have found memorials, not intended: further deserving of notice, that Ambrosius is said to have been buried ments. We have found no inscriptions as such; but merely personal ornawithin the CIRCLE OF THE HEROES,* and near the monastry of Ambri, or meant to record to future ages the virAmbrosebury. What this circle of the We have found no idols; and if these tues or the dignities of the deposited. Heroes in this neighbourhood, could be, if not the circle that commemorated world," were "British islands separated from all the the British Heroes does not appear: perversity of the human mind, they might really free from that there is no other circle, distinguished well forego much of which more polite by renown, or tradition, near Amesbury, nations would boast. except this of Stonehenge; and the Roman monuments mark the legions In later times, circle of the Heroes, is expressly said stationed in our island to controul the by the story, to have consisted of stone of immense size, brought from Ireland to excite their veneration: but we do conquered; with deities of various name (where was this Ireland?) by the art of not meet with so much as a portable Merlin which clearly marks Stone- altar, among the reliques of these An henge. Nor is this all; for, Uther Pen-cient Britons; if they really had such dragon, who succeeded Ambrosius, was also "buried in the circle of the He-selves perished, but their memorials, sucra,-not only are the Druids themroes. Some years afterwards, king Constantine was buried in the circle of the Heroes, at Salisbury, near Uther Pendragon. Now, Sir Richard's plan of Stonehenge, clearly marks two barrows of considerable size, within the ditch and vallum, formerly surrounded by the

-

stones which commemorated these vic

tims to Saxon deceitfulness; so that every thing contributes to confirm the conjecture that these additions to the original building were placed at the time, and on the occasion, reported by British History and general tradition.

solu

These conjectures afford an easy tion to the circumstance of chippings of these stones being found in these barrows; and, perhaps, in others near them. But, we forbear ;-many a just

Roberts's Chronicle of the Kings of Britain." Parim."

also.

Their memorials, however, are im-,

perishable. They still declare the devo-" tion, and demonstrate the talents and science of those who erected them. They have accomplished tasks at which modern architects would shudder. Who, now, would undertake to lift these huge imposts on their supporters ? would undertake to transport th Who immense weights, to arrange then, to them into one sacred edifice? Whatfix them, to poise them, to combine character of Inchanter; and though he ever were the abilities of Merlin, by which he attained his fame, with the evidently inferior to those more ancient placed the smaller stones. Artists who reared the wonderful masses which now fill us with astonishment. If their skill in other sciences were

He was

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equal to what these witnesses declare it was in mechanics, can we wonder, that even to this day, an involuntary veneration is paid them: that their powers are deemed gigantic, and themselves spoken of as giants; that their maxims form no small part of our popular wisdom; and that their ceremonies, or practices, still maintain themselves among us? Every year repeats not a few of them; and when we trace various of our institutions, civil, political, or sacred, we find that, at length, they terminate either in Druidism, or in principles not easily to he distinguished from it. What have we not derived from the builders of Stone henge ?

Sir Richard is pursuing his researches; and must, in course, extend his remarks on Abury; where the greater wonders surpass these of Stonehenge. When they appear, they will afford us an opportunity of resuming the subject to great advantage. When the whole is compleat, it will form one of them ost honourable testimonials existing to the munificence of the patron, and to the diligence, and skill of the artists employed, the draughtsman, Mr. P. Crocker, the engraver, Mr. Basire, and the printer, Mr. Bulmer. On these subjects we flatter ourselves that could the ancient Druid masters of art revive, they would amply return to modern days, the admiration which we bestow on them, They would describe as efforts of mere patience, labour, mechanical power, those by which they have astonished us; while they would applaud as emanations of intellect and mind, of superior sagacity and inspiration, those in which they would read their own history preserved

"To the last moment of recorded time."

The plates represent ornaments, many of them of great taste and beauty: and Sir Richard observes very justly, on some of the necklaces, that the brightest British Belle need not be at all ashamed to wear them, as they were originally intended to be worn-say in full dress.

The Civil and Military History of

Germany, from the landing of Gustavus, to the Conclusion of the Treaty of Westphalia. By the late Francis Hare Naylor, Esq. In 2 volumes. 8vo. 17. 10s. Murray.

upon

THE glorious struggle for civil and religious liberty, which was made in the beginning of the 17th century, by the German Protestants, against the ambition and bigotry of the House of Austria, affords a spectacle which must at all times be contemplated with interest, and which, in the present day, is peculiarly calculated to arrest the attention; for as the same causes generally produce the same effects, the scenes which have been acted the great stage of the world, may be acted upon it again, should tyranny and superstition persist in their endeavours to shackle the minds of men. History has been termed "Philosophy teaching by Examples," and in the history before us, we may see that no tyranny can entirely subjugate the natural rights of man, and that it is only necessary for those who assert them to observe sincerity, unanimity, and firmness among each other, in order to ensure the ultimate success of their exertions. Had the Protestants been uniformly true in their actions, had no thoughts of a sordid and selfish nature mingled with the assertion of their civil and religious rights; in short, had they shewn to each other the toleration and impartiality which they were only unanimous in demanding from Austria and Rome, they would not have been thirty years in obtaining that justice, which they at last bought at the expense of nearly half the blood and treasure of their country.

Had

Austria, on the other hand, condescended to use common prudence, or Rome abated somewhat of her insolent tone of dictation, they would probably have deferred for another century the humiliation of acknowledging, that the rights to which they pretended through prescription, and would willingly have vine origin, could boast no power, when made their subjects believe were of diopposed to the spirit which their abusen

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