_Of the name of_ Stonehenge. _These works prior to the_ Roman
_times. Who were the builders? Of the general situation of it,
again. Of the beauty of its general proportion. A peep into
it. A walk round the_ area. _Remarks on two stones standing on
the_ vallum, _and two corresponding cavities for water vases:
explained from ancient coins. That the_ Welsh _are the remains
of the_ Belgæ _from the continent, who lived here at the_ Roman
_invasion, and by whose reports,_ Stonehenge _was built by the
most ancient oriental colony, that brought the_ Druids _hither._
Come we to the name of _Stonehenge_, so call’d by our _Saxon_
ancestors; an argument sufficient, they were not the builders of it;
they would have called it by a more honourable name. Roꝺe henᵹenne is
in _Saxon_ a hanging-rod or pole, _i. e._ a gallows; and _Stonehenge_
is a stone gallows, called so from the hanging parts, architraves, or
rather imposts, the more remarkable part; and which only can persuade
people from thinking, the stones _grew_ in the very place, (as they
express it.) And so Mr. _Camden_, Dr. _Holland_, Mr. _Webb_ and others
think, of the wonderful work at _Abury_; because there are none of
these overthwart stones, as here. Many are so astonished at the bulk
of these stones, that measuring all art and power by their own, they
had rather think, they sprouted up in their places, like mushrooms, at
regular distances, in mathematical circles; than that they were plac’d
there by human industry, for excellent purpose. But pendulous rocks
are now called _henges_ in _Yorkshire_, and I have been informed of
another place there called _Stonehenge_, being natural rocks. So that
I doubt not, _Stonehenge_ in _Saxon_ signifies the hanging stones. In
_Cornwall_ is a Heath call’d now _Hengston_ down, probably from such a
work as ours, now demolished. It is in the hundred of _Easte_. And near
it, is that other memorable Antiquity, composed of many upright stones,
call’d the Hurlers, a Druid temple. The old _Britons_ or _Welsh_ call
_Stonehenge_ _choir gaur_, which some interpret _chorea gigantum_, the
giants dance: I judge, more rightly _chorus magnus_, the great choir,
round church, or temple. As Banchor (where probably was of old, another
Druid temple) means the high temple. But they mistake it for _chorea_,
_chwarae_ _χuare_, a ball, dance; as _Necham_ sings;
_Nobilis est lapidum structura, chorea gigantum:
Ars experta suum posse, peregit opus._
Mr. _Camden_ defines the work _coronæ in modum_. The Latin _corona_ a
crown, _corolla_ a _ghirland_, and the _British crown_ comes from its
circular form, as _côr_ _chorus_. The armoric _Britons_ call _cryn_
_rotundus_, _kruin_ the _Irish_. _Coryn_ is the round tip of any thing,
many such like words in all the _Celtic_ dialects. The _chorus_ of
a building among _Roman_ christians, became appropriate to the more
sacred part, or east end of churches, always turn’d of a circular form;
from the time of _Constantine_ the Great. Thus all the churches in the
holy land, thus the chapel in _Colchester_ castle, and in the _Tower_
of _London_, (both, in my opinion, built about his time) are round at
the east end. The old _Britons_ or _Welsh_, we find, had a notion of
its being a sacred place, tho’ they were not the builders of it; for I
take them to be the remains of the _Celtic_ people that came from the
continent, who chiefly inhabited _England_, at least the south part,
when the _Romans_ invaded the island, they are more particularly the
remains of the _Belgæ_. I suppose their name _Welsh_, a corruption of
_Belgæ_, Οὐέλγαι in greek,_ ►Belgischen◄ _and_ ►Welschen◄ _in german.
_Strabo_ IV. speaks of their way of making flannel, called λαιναί,
for which our _Welsh_ are so famous. _Strabo_ gives the celtic word
without the guttural aspirate, _chlæna_ in latin. The most ancient
inhabitants, the remains of the old _Phœnician_ colony and primitive
_Celts_ who built _Stonehenge_, were the _Picts_, _Scots_, _Highland_
and _Irish_, all the same people, tho’ perhaps differing somewhat in
dialect, as in situation: no otherwise than a _Cumberland_-man and one
of _Somersetshire_ now. The _Cornish_, I suppose, some remains too, of
the old oriental race. But at this very day in _Wales_, they call every
antiquated appearance beyond memory, _Irish_. Upon view of land, that
from before any ones remembrance appears to have been plow’d, or very
ancient ruins of buildings, and the like, they immediately pronounce,
That it was in the times of the _Irish_. The very same is observable
in the north, of the _Picts_ or _Pights_, as they pronounce it,
gutturally, in the oriental fashion, which we cannot imitate. They call
old foundations, _Pights_ houses, _&c._ Every thing is _Pictish_, whose
origin they do not know. These people are conscious, that they are not
the _Aborigines_, who by time and successive inundations, were forc’d
northward and westward, into _Scotland_ and _Ireland_. And also in the
days of the _Romans_, such of the then inhabitants as would not submit
to their gentile yoke, took the same road. The _Irish_ therefore,
or ancient _Scottish_, is the remnant of the _Phœnician_ language,
mixt with old _Biscayan_ and _Gallic_, dialects of _Celts_; and some
oriental, _Arabic_ in particular: as Mr. _Toland_ observes. And they
are the descendants of the people who built _Stonehenge_, and the like
Works. Whence spring the strange reports of these stones, coming from
_Egypt_, from _Africa_, from _Spain_, from _Ireland_. As retaining some
memory of the steps, by which the people who preceded their ancestors,
travelled; nor they themselves, nor even the _Belgæ_ pretending to
be the builders of this wonderful work. For the _Belgæ_ could not be
ignorant of their own coming from the _Gallic_ continent.
[Illustration: _P. 8._ TAB. V.
_Stukeley delin._ _G. Vander Gucht Senl_
_The Front view of_ STONEHENGE.]
I have taken notice of another remarkable particular, as to the name
of _Stonehenge_; which I apprehend to be of highest antiquity: that
it was called the _Ambres_, or _Ambrose_, as the famous _main Ambre_
by _Pensans_ in _Cornwall_, another work of the Druids akin to this.
And from hence the adjacent town of _Ambresbury_ had its name. But of
this matter, I must beg the readers patience, till I come to the last
chapter, and discourse of the antiquity of these works in general.
So much at present as to the name of our fabrick; it is time to
draw toward the sacred pile, and fancy ourselves walking upon this
delightful plain:
——————————_juvat arva videre
Non rastris hominum, non ulli obnoxia curæ._ Virg.
nought can be sweeter than the air that moves o’re this hard and dry,
chalky soil. Every step you take upon the smooth carpet, (literally)
your nose is saluted with the most fragrant smell of _serpillum_, and
_apium_, which with the short grass continually cropt by the flocks
of sheep, composes the softest and most verdant turf, extremely
easy to walk on, and which rises as with a spring, under ones feet.
The following drawing TAB. III. is a prospect taken from the king’s
barrow, west from _Vespasian_’s camp, in the way from _Ambresbury_
to _Stonehenge_, by the _Bristol_ road. Tho’ the graver has not done
it justice: yet it will give one a general notion of the situation
of the place. It is admirably chosen, being in the midst of those
wide downs, call’d _Salisbury_ plain; between the river _Avon_ to the
east, and a brook that runs into the _Willy_, on the west. These two
streams half round encompass it, at 2 miles distance, forming as it
were a circular area, of 4 or 5 miles diameter, compos’d of gentle
acclivities and declivities, open and airy. Yet agreeably diversify’d
with the appearance of barrows, every where upon the edges of the
highest grounds. Which very barrows are curious and entertaining, when
view’d at hand, as well for the nicety and handsome turn of their
forms, as for their great variety, and all within sight of the temple.
These downs feed many flocks of sheep, and no doubt furnish’d the idea
of _Thessalian_ and _Arcadian_ plains, to the noble _Sydney_ residing
at the neighbouring _Wilton_. The rivers are planted very thick with
towns. Six miles south of _Stonehenge_ is _Salisbury_, a mile nearer is
_Sorbiodunum_, or old _Sarum_, by the side of which passes the _Roman_
road _via Iceniana_ reaching from _Norfolk_, into _Dorsetshire_. As
this road goes southward, a mile beyond _Woodyates_, where it enters
_Dorsetshire_ and _Cranburn_ chase, it passes over a heath where are
many old barrows, like these on _Salisbury_ plain. It happens there,
to infringe upon one of the barrows, which luckily affords us a
demonstration, of the road being made since those barrows; of which
I took notice in my _itinerarium_ p. 180. and further to gratify the
curious have here inserted a print of it TAB. IV. and may take the
opportunity once for all to advertize them, of the disadvantage under
which all drawings from these plains must appear. They are made for use
and instruction, like mathematical figures, and cannot be expected much
to please the eye; being form’d chiefly from bare lines, admitting no
picture-like decoration.
I have observ’d another similar proof of these works being older
than the _Roman_ times here, in that _Roman_ road that goes from
_Marlborough_ to _Bath_. It is near _Abury_, and I have a print of
it engrav’d, which will be exhibited, when I next publish an account
of that great work. But in the former _plate_ IV. I call those Druid
barrows, which are often found on these plains: a circular trench,
sometime of 100 foot diameter, with only a small tump of earth in the
middle, under which there is commonly an urn. Sometime two or three of
these little tumps or diminutive _tumuli_ within one circle, which it
is natural to suppose, were friends or relations. These circles are
always excellently well mark’d out.
The particular spot of ground where _Stonehenge_ stands, is in the
lordship of west or little _Ambresbury_: the possession of the
reverend Mr. _Hayward_, who at present may be call’d the Archdruid of
the island. ’Tis a delicate part of this large plain, with a gentle
declivity from the south-west to the south and north-east. So that the
soil, which is chalk, is perfectly dry and hard. Hence the infinite
numbers of coaches and horses, that thro’ so many centuries have been
visiting the place every day, have not obliterated the track of the
banks and ditches. The water cannot possibly rest any where hereabouts.
The founders consulted well for the stability of their work, and
salubrity of the place. _Cæsar_ informs us in his commentaries, B. G.
VI. 13. that among the Druids, “one has the supreme authority. When
he is dead, whoever excels in dignity succeeds. But if there be more
candidates, the Archdruid is chose by the votes of the Druids: and
sometimes they fight for it. At a certain fix’d time of the year the
_Gaulish_ Druids meet, in the territories of the _Carnutes_, which
country is in the middle of _Gaul, in a consecrated place_. Hither all
persons from all quarters come, who have any controversy, and stand to
their determination. The discipline of the Druids arose in _Britain_,
and is said from thence to have been brought into _Gaul_. And now,
they who design to be more thoroughly initiated therein, go over to
learn.” Here in few lines the great author acquaints us with a vast
fund of ancient history, and upon which whole volumes have been wrote.
I observe no more from it at present, than that we may very reasonably
conclude, the elegant and the magnificent structure of _Stonehenge_ was
as the metropolitical church of the chief Druid of _Britain_. This was
the _locus consecratus_ where they met at some great festivals in the
year, as well to perform the extraordinary sacrifices and religious
rites, as to determine causes and civil matters. _Cæsar_ calls these
appointments of the Druids in _Gaul_ consecrated places, where probably
was nothing but a circle of rude stones. Had he seen those of our
island, an _Abury_ or even a _Stonehenge_, he would scarce have given
them the title of temples: he was not used to the old patriarchal
way. But I reckon the true reading in that passage quoted from him,
to be _loco consecrato_, not _luco_, which was put in by some bold
transcriber, who had heard of the fondness of the Druids for groves.
But how unfit is a grove for a great and public meeting upon civil
affairs? And this for the excellency of its situation upon a vast
plain, was well calculated for a publick meeting of those of the order,
at an election of a new Archdruid. As _Cæsar_’s words give light to the
work before us, so it confirms what the warlike author says, of the
discipline being originally in _Britain_; which the critics upon the
continent cannot bear, and vainly endeavour to spirit away _Cæsar_’s
meaning. The very building of _Stonehenge_, to say nothing of other
like works here, shows it was not in vain, that the youth of _Gaul_
came to learn of men, who could contrive and execute so mighty a work.
[Illustration: _P. 10._ TAB. VI.]
_Stonehenge_ stands not upon the very summit of a hill, but pretty near
it, and for more than three quarters of the circuit you ascend to it
very gently from lower ground. At half a mile distance, the appearance
of it is stately and awful, really august. As you advance nearer,
especially up the avenue, which is to the north-east of it, (which side
is now most perfect) the greatness of its contour fills the eye in an
astonishing manner. TAB. V. is the front prospect from the entrance
of the avenue. The stone that leans o’er the high altar appears thro’
the grand or principal entrance: because we stand upon lower ground.
If the reader pleases to cast his eye upon _Plate_ XII. there ’tis
represented in orthography, (to speak technically) as here in prospect.
Hence by this method of comparing the designs together, we may, without
confusion, gather a true notion of the work. _Stonehenge_ is a good
deal more in diameter, than the outside of St. _Paul_’s cupola. And
from a comparison of these two buildings, I was able to judge of the
vanity of the architect of St. _Peter_’s at _Rome_, who in order to
degrade the _Pantheon_, (whilst he was imitating it) boasted, he
would set the _Pantheon_ 200 foot high in the air, meaning the cupola
there. But the architect of the _Pantheon_, _Valerius Ostiensis_ (had
he been alive) would have told him, that the vastness of the diameter
in these cupola’s is lost by the very height. Whatever we would have
admired, ought to be preserved as the largest dimension. Therefore
_Valerius_, with admirable judgment, has made the outward breadth of
the _Pantheon_ one fifth part compleatly longer than its height, taken
in front; but if we measure it sidewise, taking in the portico, the
breadth to the height, is more than 6 to 4. By this means the wonder
of the _Pantheon_, the curve or arch 150 _Roman_ feet in diameter,
remains. So the curve of _Stonehenge_, which is above 100 _English_
feet, appears extraordinary large and well proportion’d, upon a height
of 18 foot, which reaches to the top of the outer cornish; that of the
inner cornishes is but 24 foot high, at a medium. For the cornishes of
the inner part of _Stonehenge_, or that which _Webb_ calls the cell,
are not all of equal height, of which in proper place. Thus both parts
of the wonder is preserv’d, the greatness of the circuit of the whole
work, the greatness and height of the parts that compose it; the height
being one fourth of the diameter. The greatness too of the lights
and shades in _Stonehenge_, as well as their variety arising from a
circular form, gives it all possible advantage, and makes it deserve
the appellation of,
_Deorum gloriosa domus_,
as _Theocritus_ and _Herodotus_ generally call temples. And its
situation is correspondent to the antient notion. _Pausanias_ praises
the _Tanagrei_ in _Beotia_, for having their temples in clean and
distinct area’s, distant from profane buildings and traffic.
_Stonehenge_ is inclosed within a circular ditch. After one has pass’d
this ditch, says the right reverend annotator to _Camden_, he ascends
35 yards before he comes at the work itself. This measure is the same,
as that which _Webb_ calls 110 foot, the diameter of the work. For
the area inclos’d by a ditch, wherein _Stonehenge_ is situate, is in
diameter three times the diameter of _Stonehenge_. See the _Plate_ of
the _area_. XXIII. Therefore the distance between the verge of the
ditch within side, quite round, to the work of the Temple, is equal to
the diameter of the Temple. The reader remembers what I promis’d, about
the scale or measure whereby this work and all others of the Druids, is
form’d; that ’tis the old _Hebrew_, _Phœnician_ or _Egyptian_ Cubit,
which compar’d with the _English_ foot, amounts to 20 inches and ⅘.
Therefore I have drawn the ensuing comparison and proportion, between
our _English_ and _Hebrew_ Scale; which is to accompany us in the
future description. TAB. VI. the scale of cubits and feet compar’d.
That I might not be suspected to favour an hypothesis, I produce other
peoples measures, where I can find them in print, provided they be
done with tolerable judgment and accuracy; for both are necessary in
our case, with proper allowance. ’Tis not to be suppos’d, that in this
work, the minuteness and extreme curiosity of _Desgodetz_, with which
he measur’d the remains of old _Rome_, is expected, or even possible.
For tho’ the stones are not chizel’d and squar’d, to such preciseness,
as _Roman_ works are; yet they are chizel’d, and are far from rude.
Nevertheless every body has not skill, properly to measure them. For
they are much impair’d by weather: much is knock’d off by wretched
hands. Those stones that stand, are luxated various ways, by time
and their own weight; by silly people digging about them, and by the
unfortunate colony of rabbets lately translated thither. So that we may
well say with _Claudian_,
_Seram ponderibus pronis tractura ruinam,
Pars cadit assiduo flatu, pars imbre peresa
Rumpitur, abripuit partem vitiosa vetustas._
I was forc’d to make many admeasurements and repeated, before I could
obtain an exact ground-plot; and it requir’d much consideration to do
it, and to find out the true scale by which it was compos’d, the Druid
cubit, which they brought with them from the east. Therefore by the
annexed scales, TAB. VI. which I have contriv’d to answer all lengths,
the reader will most perfectly understand the subsequent description,
and see the truth of my assertion: and may from thence be enabled to
measure any other like works, in our islands, which I have not had
the opportunity of viewing. It was the eastern way, in laying out a
building, to use a staff of 6 cubits long. This was of a convenient,
manageable length; and its divisions being half a dozen, suited well
a reckoning by duodenaries. Thus in _Ezek._ xl. 3, 5. _Apoc._ xxi.
16. the angel that laid out the temple of _Solomon_, is described,
as having a reed of 6 cubits (a measuring reed or cane) in his hand.
This being the universal and first measure of antiquity, was in time
spread all over the world. In particular, it became the _decempedum_
of the _Greeks_ and _Romans_; the common measuring standard. But ’tis
remarkable, they alter’d the divisions, thinking it more artful and
convenient to have them in less parts: and instead of 6 cubits, they
made it consist of 10 feet. And by time and change, the whole measure
became somewhat alter’d from the primitive. For the _Greek decempedum_
was swell’d somewhat too long, as the _Romans_ diminish’d theirs a
little. _Ezekiel_’s reed is our 10 foot and 4 inches ⅔; 400 cubits is
the _stadium_ of the ancients, or furlong, 700 feet.
When you enter the building, whether on foot or horseback and cast
your eyes around, upon the yawning ruins, you are struck into an
exstatic _reverie_, which none can describe, and they only can be
sensible of, that feel it. Other buildings fall by piece meal, but
here a single stone is a ruin, and lies like the haughty carcase of
_Goliath_. Yet there is as much of it undemolished, as enables us
sufficiently to recover its form, when it was in its most perfect
state. There is enough of every part to preserve the idea of the whole.
The next _Plate_, TAB. VII. the peep (as I call it) into the _sanctum
sanctorum_, is drawn, at the very entrance, and as a view into the
inside. When we advance further, the dark part of the ponderous imposts
over our heads, the chasm of sky between the jambs of the cell, the odd
construction of the whole, and the greatness of every part, surprizes.
We may well cry out in the poet’s words
_Tantum Relligio potuit!_
if you look upon the perfect part, you fancy intire quarries mounted
up into the air: if upon the rude havock below, you see as it were the
bowels of a mountain turn’d inside outwards. It is pleasant likewise
to consider the spot upon which ’tis situate, and to take a circular
view of the country around it. For which purpose I have sketch’d
the following prospects, taking in the country almost round the
circumference of the horizon. This Use there will be in them further;
if ever it happen, that this noble work should be destroy’d: the spot
of it may be found, by these views.
TAB. VIII. north prospect from _Stonehenge_.
TAB. IX. south-west prospect from _Stonehenge_.
TAB. X. south-east prospect from _Stonehenge_.
[Illustration: _P. 12._ TAB. VII.
_Stukeley d._
_A peep into the sanctum sanctorum 6 June. 1724_]
The _vallum_ of the ditch which incloses the _area_, or court, is
inwards, and makes a circular terras; walking upon which, we take
the foregoing prospects. The lowest part of the _area_ is towards
the entrance. The tops of all the circumjacent hills, or rather easy
elevations, are cover’d o’re, as it were, with barrows, which cause an
agreeable appearance; adorning the bare downs with their figures. And
this ring of barrows reaches no further, than till you lose sight of
the temple, or thereabouts. Stand at the grand entrance by the stone
that lies upon the ground, and the view of the temple presents itself
as in the Vth _Plate_, the front prospect of _Stonehenge_. Directly
down the avenue, to the north-east, the apex of an hill terminates the
horizon, between which and the bottom of a valley you see the _Cursus_,
a work which has never yet been taken notice of. Being a space of
ground included between two long banks going parallel east and west,
at 350 foot distance, the length 10000 feet. This was design’d for the
horse races and games, like the _Olympic_, the _Isthmian_, &c. of the
_Greeks_. But we shall speak more particularly of this afterwards. In
the valley on this side of it, the strait part of the avenue terminates
in two branches; that on the left hand, leads to the _Cursus_; that
on the right goes directly up the hill, between two famous groups of
barrows, each consisting of seven in number. The farthest, or those
northward, I call the oldest king’s barrows; the hithermost are
vulgarly called the seven king’s graves.
If we walk a little to the left hand, TAB. VIII. is presented. See
the northern long barrow: on this side of which, the eye takes in the
whole length of the _Cursus_. Many barrows at the end and on both sides
of it. That mark’d P. was open’d by my Lord _Pembroke_, those mark’d
S. were open’d by myself. What was discover’d therein will be treated
of hereafter. Further to the west, the highest ground of that spot
whereon _Stonehenge_ stands, eclipses a distant view, and there are
the nearest barrows planted with rabbets, which do much damage too at
_Stonehenge_, and threaten no less than the ruin of the whole. Upon
the _vallum_ of _Stonehenge_ is one of the stones there, which seems
to be a small altar, for some kind of libations, and at the letter A.
the mark of a cavity; of which more particularly, in the next page.
The next or south-west prospect, TAB. IX. from _Stonehenge_, takes
in the country from _Berwickbarn_, and my Lord _Pembroke_’s wood of
_Groveley_, to _Salisbury_ steeple: a chain of barrows reaching a
6th part of the whole horizon. Many from the great quantity of these
sepulchral _tumuli_ here, injudiciously conclude, that there have been
great battels upon the plain, and that the slain were bury’d there.
But they are really no other than family burying-places, set near this
temple, for the same reason as we bury in church-yards and consecrated
ground. _Salisbury_ steeple seen from hence, brings to my sorrowful
remembrance, the great _Thomas_ Earl of _Pembroke_, whose noble ashes
are there deposited. He was patron of my studies, particularly those
relating to _Stonehenge_. Virtue, piety, magnanimity, learning,
generosity, all sublime qualities recommended and added to his
illustrious descent. Glorious it will be for me, if these pages live to
testify to another age, the intimacy he was pleased to honour me with.
——————_quis talia fando
Temperet a lachrymis_————————!
In this _Plate_, the reader may remark another of the cavities within
the _vallum_, to which that corresponds on the opposite diameter before
hinted at.
The south-east prospect finishes the circle, TAB. X. looking towards
the valley southward, where the rain-water passes, from the whole work
of _Stonehenge_, the whole tract of the _Cursus_ and the country beyond
it, as far as north long barrow; and so is convey’d into the river
_Avon_ at _Lake_. That road between king barrow and the seven barrows
is the way to _Vespasian_’s camp and so to _Ambresbury_. The barrow
under those seven kings of later form, is that nearest to _Stonehenge_.
Doubtless in the sacrifices and ceremonies which were here practis’d,
water was us’d, and I observe most of our Druid temples are set near
rivers. The reason why _Stonehenge_ was not set near a river, has
hitherto effectually preserv’d it, this part being uninhabitable upon
that account, and rather too far off a town for tillage. But when
I curiously contemplated the beauty and convenience of this court,
I observ’d two remarkable places, which plainly have a conformity
with the two stones set upon the _vallum_; which stones puzzle all
enquirers. These particulars seem to explain one another, and more
especially by the help of a coin in _Vaillant_, tom. II. p. 240. for
which reason I caus’d it to be engraven on that plate, TAB. XXIII.
the _area_ of _Stonehenge_. ’Tis a coin of _Philip_ the _Roman_
emperor, struck by the city of _Heliopolis_ in _Cœlesyria_ under mount
_Libanus_, now call’d _Baldec_, where is an admirable ancient temple
remaining, describ’d and pictur’d in _Maundrel_’s travels of the holy
land. In the walls of it are two or three stones of an immense length,
which seem to be the fragments of an obelisk, dedicated to the sun,
whence the name of _Heliopolis_. The coin presents a temple built
upon a rock: to which they ascend by steps. The temple is inclos’d in
an _area_ with a wall. On the left hand by the circuit of the _area_
is a stone altar. A little further, is a great vase for water to be
us’d in the sacrifices. The legend is COL_onia_ IVL_ia_ AVG_usta_
FEL_ix_ HEL_iopolitana_. Now the two cavities in the circuit of our
_area_, very probably were the places where two great stone vases were
set, and the two stones were two altars for some particular rites,
which we don’t take upon ourselves to explain. See another coin II.
in _Descamp_’s _selectiora numismata_, p. 23. which is to the same
purpose. Those stones are set in their proper places in my scheme of
the _area_ of _Stonehenge_: and I leave them to the better conjectures
of the learned in these matters. Mr. _Webb_ fancies them the jambs of
two portals of two entrances, besides the great entrance; and makes
them favour his imaginary triangles, from which he forms the work of
_Stonehenge_, upon a _Vitruvian_ plan. And in order to bring this
about, he draws one stone, that toward the east, or on the left hand,
from the true and only entrance, no less than 120 foot out of its real
place. No doubt, the reader will be surpriz’d at this, and the easier
credit me, when I say his ground-plot in other parts, is very far from
being exact. The reader will observe from my scheme, that the two
semicircular hollows mark’d A A, wherein I suppose the water-vases were
set, are plac’d alternatively, with the two stones: I don’t pretend to
show why the Druids did so. But that stone standing, together with the
upper A, and the center of the grand entrance by the stone that lies
flat there, make an exact equilateral triangle; yet really have not the
least relation to the scheme of the work of _Stonehenge_ in general,
or to the cell in particular. Nor do the stones, or those hollows,
point out any other entrance cross the ditch into the _area_. So in the
tabernacle of _Moses_ and temple of _Solomon_, great vases in brass
were set for water, in the court before the temple.
[Illustration: _P. 14._ TAB. VIII.
_North Prospect from Stonehenge_
_Stukeley delin_ _Smith sculp_