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Hints for moderate Reform.

Capulets;" but not so, as it is again proposed as a sure recipe for rendering every rogue an honest man. It would be a mere waste of words to repeat what has been so often and so ably urged against such visionary and absurd tenets. If any thing more irra tional than another could be proposed to keep the people in a state of unceasing confusion, idleness, drunkenness, riot, and immorality, it would be this precious doctrine carried into a law. This is not all; as from the imperfection of human nature, bribery and corruption, in numberless shapes, and artfully masked to elude detection, would become fearfully prevalent; and if oaths were had recourse to, perjury would add to the dreadful magnitude of crime. It is to be hoped, that the wisdom of Parliament will scout this demoralising doctrine as often as the criminal folly of proposing its adoption is obstinately persevered in by needy adventurers, who have founded expectations of personal advantage on dangerous innovations.

The question of rational reform, as it is called, is now more than ever supported; and yet no specific plan has been suggested, because the political machine is found to work sufficiently well for all purposes of public utility. It is an ascertained fact, that the Opposition (and a temperate Opposition is constitutional) have actually a greater number of constant supporters than the Ministry: but there are known to be 195 independent members, from among whom arise the excess over even numbers, and consequently the majorities requisite for carrying on the business of the country. There are many members who seldom vote. From this it manifestly follows, that though favours conferred have their effect, it is still by the influence of public opinion that the system of Government is conducted. There may be above 400 boroughs, and it would be a question of indefinite inquiry in what manner they became, what they positively are, individual property, which cannot be taken away, as flippantly proposed at public meetings, without as complete a robbery as it would be to deprive the fundholder of a part of his interest or capital. When the immortal son of Chathamn formed the union with Ireland, he felt and acted on this truth, by the purchase of the boroughs no longer necessary. The boroughs are

[Feb.

positively requisite, as the only means of introducing the monied interest into the House of Commons; and without this, such property would not be secure, because unrepresented. Independent and wealthy characters of information and talents are averse to purchase a seat; and much more so, to bribe the electors of open boroughs, in order to serve their country in Parliament. To obviate this illegality of admission, a certain number of the minor boroughs might be purchased with the public money on Mr. Pitt's plan, and fairly and openly sold to qualified persons, the purchase-money going always into the public purse. This would be an honourable and unobjectionable procedure; and the corrupt electors paid for their borough, would still have their personal vote in their counties.Again, it is allowed on all sides, that large and populous cities ought to be represented in Parliament. To meet this exigency, it would be no hardship on wealthy owners of numerous boroughs to part with some of them at a value of twenty, or more years' purchase. The cities on which these privileges to return members would be conferred, would repay into the public treasury the original purchase-money. As for the duration of Parlia ments, Mr. Urban, it may be a matter of indifference whether the period be seven or five years. The former was adopted at the time as a security against Popish danger. That being now merely nominal, the latter period might be more eligible; more especially as it would establish a better reciprocal feeling of obligation between the electors and elected. There is an inconvenience amounting to a positive evil in county elections, to be obviated by a very simple remedy. Instead of having the election at only one place, the votes, on the same day, might be taken, either parochially, or at three or more specific places. This would exclude much expense, trouble, and dissipation.

Reform, Mr. Urban, seems to be pressing forward more than hitherto, and in such permanent works as yours, every well-wisher to his country should throw out such ideas as occur to him, because it is by temperate discussion that the sentiments of intelligent and reflecting men are elicited; and thus safe and constitutional conclusions are arrived at, for qualified application,

should

1823.]

Origin and Purposes of Stonehenge.

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"Thou noblest monument of Albion's isle, Whether by Merlin's aid, from Scythia's shore, To Amber's fatal plain, Pendrason bore,

Huge frame of giant hands the mighty pile, Tentomb his Britons slain by Herguist's guile, Or Druid Priests, sprinkled with human gore, Taught 'mid thy massy maze their mystic lore; Or Danish chiefs, enriched with savage spoil, To Victory's idol vast, an unhewn shrine,

Rear'd the rude heap; or, in thy hallow'd round,
Repose the kings of Brutus' genuine line;

Or here those kings in solemn state were crown'd.
Studious to trace thy pond'rous origin,
We muse on many an antient tale renown'd."

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marks, "why may not these giants (alluding to the appellation of Chorea Gigantum, given to this monument) be the Phoenicians; and the art of erecting these stones, instead of the stones themselves, brought from the furthermost parts of Africa, the known habitations of the Phoenicians."

Bishop Gibson, in his edition of Camden's Britannia, 1694, after combating the opinions of preceding writers, observes, "one need make no scruple to affirm that it is a British Monument; since it does not appear that any other nation had so much footing in this kingdom, as to be the authors of such a rude, and yet magnificent pile."

S the subject for the Newdigate Prize Poem for this year is The attentive though credulous Au"STONEHENGE," we shall, at the re-brey first hit on the notion of its being quest of an Oxford Correspondent, a Druid temple. With this notion devote a page or two to the considera- Mr. Toland agreed; and Dr. Stukeley, tion of the probable origin and pur- in his "Stonehenge," by accurate adposes of this extraordinary monument. measurements, confirmed it. He calls This interesting assemblage of stones in the assistance of the Tyrean Heris distant two miles West of Ames- cules, to do greater honour to the bury, and six miles from Salisbury. structure. The name of Stonehenge is evidently Saxon, q. d. the hanging-stones.

Passing by the fanciful opinions and conjectures of Nennius, Jeffrey of Monmouth, and Henry of Huntingdon (alluded to in the above elegant Sonnet) we shall first notice the celebrated Camden; who could see nothing but confusion and rudeness in this stately pile.

Inigo Jones (who in 1655 first published any regular work on Stonehenge), full of ideas of architecture, conceived it to be a Tuscan temple of Cœlum or Terminus, built by the Romans, as if the rudest monuments of that people were not more regular than this. He thought it was raised at a period when the Romans "had settled the country under their own empire; and by the introduction of foreign colonies, had reduced the natural inhabitants unto the society of civil life, by training them up in the liberal sciences.”"

Dr. Charleton, in 1663, published an answer to Jones's work, in which he contends that Stonehenge was erected by the Danes; but this could not be the case, as the monument existed long before the Danes invaded England. Jones's work was defended by his son-in-law and editor Mr. Webb, in 1665.

Aylett Summes next published a treatise on Stonehenge, in which he re

Mr. Wood, in his "Choir Gawr," agreed with Dr. Stukeley in attributing it to the Druids, with this additional idea, that it had an astronomical as well as theological use, and was a temple of the moon.

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William Cooke, M. A. in an enquiry into the Patriarchal and Druidical Religion, &c. supposes Stonehenge to have been a place held sacred by the Druids, and appropriated to great assemblies of the people.

Wood's opinion was further illustrated in a brief and comprehensive manner by Dr. Smith, in "Choir Gawr," 1770. The work is ably reviewed by Mr. Gough, in our vol. XLI. p. 30, where Dr. Smith's opinions may be seen; or in Gough's Camden, 2d edit. 1806, vol. i.

p. 155.

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That eminent antiquary, Mr. King, in his "Munimenta Antiqua*, jectures that it was constructed in the very latest ages of Druidism, whilst that religion was yet struggling against the overwhelming tide of Christianity.

Mr. Davies, the learned author of "Celtic Researches," and of the

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Mythology, &c. of the British Druids," enters more profoundly than perhaps any other author, into the question respecting the origin and ap

Reviewed by Mr. Gough in vol. LXXir.

p. 142.

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Origin and Purposes of Stonehenge.

propriation of Stonehenge. He supposes that this structure, and Silbury hill, are two of the three works alluded to in a Welch Triad, as constituting the greatest labours of the island of Britain: i. e. "lifting the stone of Ketti -Building the work of Emrys: -and Piling the Mount of the Assemblies." That Stonehenge is really a Druidical structure, the same learned writer further remarks, "is evident from the language in which it was described, and the great veneration in which it was held by the primitive bards; those immediate descendants, and avowed disciples of the British Druids. As the great sanctuary of the Dominion, or metropolitan temple of our heathen ancestors, so complex in its plan, and constructed upon such a multitude of astronomical calculations, we find it was not exclusively dedicated to the Sun, the Moon, Saturn, or any other individual object of superstition; but it was a kind of Pantheon, in which all the Arkite and Sabine divinities of British theology were supposed to have been present: for here we perceive Noe and Hu, the deified patriarch; Elphin and Rheiddin, the sun; Eseye, Isis; Kêd, Ceres, with the cell of her sacred fire; Llywy, Proserpine, Gwyden, Hermes, Budd, Victory, and several others."

As to the precise date of Stonehenge, Mr. Davies says nothing definitively, but remarks it was most likely of later origin than the introduction of the Helio-Arkite superstition, which is traditionally said to have been of foreign growth, and to have come by the way of Cornwall, and therefore probably from the tin merchants.

Its being mentioned by the bard Aneurin, in his poem of "Gododin," as existing previous to the massacre by Hengist, is justly remarked to be a decided evidence of its not having been erected to commemorate that event,

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but that, on the contrary, it was a monument of venerable antiquity in the days of Hengist; and that its peculiar sanctity influenced the selection of the spot for the place of conference between the British and Saxon princes. It is equally clear that the sacred building did not receive its name of Gwaith Emrys, from Emrys, or Ambrosius, a prince who fought with Hengist; but that, on the other hand, it communicates to him its own

[Feb.

name, as he was president and defender of the Ambrosial Stones."

This learned writer further mentions a passage in the Greek historian, Diodorus Siculus, describing a round temple dedicated to Apollo, which Mr. Davies concludes to have been situated in Britain, and to have been most likely our monument of Stonehenge.

Mr. Maurice, in his " Indian Antiquities," forms a similar conclusion from the above passage, with Mr. Davies, and further remarks, that in his opinion the Celtic deity, Bel, is identified with Apollo, and says, that the first name of Britain, after it was peopled, was Vel Ynys, or the island of Bel. He also supposes, "that the battle of Hen Velen, mentioned in the song of the bard Taliesin, alludes to one fought near Stonehenge. The massacre of the Britons in that neighbourhood is frequently alluded to by the Welch bards. In song XII. of the Gododin, by Aneurin, we find the stone cell of the sacred fire noticed and in song XV. we find also the great stone fence of the common sanctuary, In the song of another Welch bard, Cuthelin, we also find allusions made to Stonehenge, in the words Mawd, Cor Cyvoeth, the great circle, or sanetuary of the dominion."

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Sir Richard Colt Hoare* entirely with the opinions of Mr.Davies, from whom he has clearly derived the etymology of the word Ambresbury." Its high antiquity, he adds, is corroborated by the fact, that many of the barrows around must have been formed subsequently to the temple, though probably before the arrival of the Romans in Britain. He thinks that Stonehenge must have been to the Britons what Mecca is now to the Mahomedans.

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The Rev. James Ingram, in his Inaugural Lecture on the Utility of the Saxon Literature," has suggested a new idea relative to Stonehenge. He considers it as the "Heathen burial place;" and the cursus adjoining, as the Hippodrome on which the goods of the deceased were run for at the time of burial.

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Another novel opinion relative to the construction of Stonehenge, is ad vanced by the late Mr. Cunnington in the History of Ancient Wiltshire

* History of Ancient Wilts, Vol. I. p. 157.

1823.]

Origin and Purposes of Stonehenge.

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It is grounded on the difference in quality and size between the stones of the great circle and ellipsis, and those of the smaller ones. In considering the subject, says Mr. Cunnington, "I have been led to suppose, that Stonehenge has been erected at different eras; that the original work consisted of the outward circle, and its imposts, and the inner oval, or large trilithons; and that the smallest circle and oval, of inferior stones, were raised at a later period; for they add nothing to the grandeur of the temple, but rather gave a littleness to the whole, and more particularly so, if, according to Smith, you add the two small trilithons of granite.".

The next opinion relative to Stonehenge, we have to notice, is somewhat analogous to the last. It is contained in the following judicious remarks, extracted from a letter of the Rev. Samuel Greatheed, addressed to Mr. Britton, and printed in the "Beauties of England and Wales,” vol. XV. P. 707.

"Stonehenge has nothing about it implying a higher antiquity than the age of Aurelius Ambrosius, but the circle and oval of upright stones, which perfectly resemble our numerous Druidical temples, from Cornwall to Cumberland. These parts alone of the structure, therefore, I consider as Druidical and I apprehend that these alone were standing, when the Saxons assassinated the British chiefs, assembled with them on that spot, at a Council Feast. No authentic accounts of that period opposes the probability that Ambrosius might erect there a durable monument, in memory of his countrymen, and of the cruel treachery of their invaders. Nothing is more likely, than, that he would, if he had opportunity, adopt such means of animating the Britons to perseverance, in so wearisome a contest: and certainly nothing could have been better suited to the purpose, than such an erection as Stonehenge, which might equally sustain the violence of enemies, and the lapse of ages. The zeal of his numerous followers would carry them through the requisite labour. The pattern of the Romans was sufficient to supply the mechanical powers

which it demanded, and it is so obvious an

imitation of their architecture, that Inigo Jones, who had well studied the subject, supposed it to be their performances. The plan was regulated by that of the original Druidical structure; the outer stones of which must have been partly removed, to admit the Trilithons; but would, of course, be replaced. The rough squaring, the continued GENT. MAG. February, 1823.

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imposts, and the mortices and tenons by which they are secured to the standards, are not only unlike every work of the Druids, but incompatible with their principles. Add to this, the discovery of Roman Coins beneath some of the larger stones, implies their position not to have been earlier than the date assigned by the tradition. All conjectural, and to me they appear as imother hypotheses on the subject are totally probable in themselves, as they are irreconcilable with each other.

"It is, I believe, agreed by the best lithologists, that the larger members of Stonehenge are sarsens, similar to those called the Grey-wethers, which, in innumerable places, protrude above the soil, between Marlborough and Avebury, and therefore were probably transported thence."

Mr. Fosbroke, in his "Encyclopedia of Antiquities," p. 72, is of opinion that the elucidation of Mr. Maurice is the best; and that it is the Temple of the Sun in Britain mentioned by Diodorus. It is (says Mr. M.) circular, as were all Temples of the Sun and Vesta. The adytum, or sanctum sanctorum, is oval, representing the mundane egg, after the manner that all those adyta, in which the sacred fire perpetually blazed, was constantly fabricated. The situation is fixed astronomically; the grand entrance, and that of Abury, being placed exactly North-east, as all the gates or portals of the ancient cavern temples were, especially those dedicated to Mithra, i. e. the Sun. The number of stones and uprights in the outward circles, making together exactly sixty, plainly alludes to that peculiar and prominent feature of Asiatick astronomy, the sexagenary cycle; while the number of stones forming the minor cycle of the cove, being exactly nineteen, displays to us the famous Metonic, or rather Indian cycle; and that of thirty repeatedly" occurring, the celebrated age or generation of the Druids. Further, the temple being uncovered, proves it to have been erected before the age of Zoroaster, 500 years before Christ, who first covered in the Persian temples. Finally, the heads and horns of in the spot, prove that the sanguinary oxen and other animals, found buried rites, peculiar to the solar superstition, were actually practised within the awful bounds of this hallowed circle.

-Want of room prevents our quoting farther from Mr. Fosbroke's interesting Encyclopedia; we must therefore

refer

Stonehenge. Churchwardens' Rates.-Ladies Handwriting. [Feb.

refer to the work itself (p. 73, &c.) for farther observations on Stonehenge, and on Stone Circles in general, as well on Cromlechs, Rocking Stones,, &c. &c.

Some remarks by Mr. Fosbroke on the æra of Stonehenge, may be seen in vol. LXXXVI. i. p. 510.

Stonehenge has frequently been the subject of discussion in our Magazine; and the reader may consult with advantage vol. xxII. p. 373, 374; LXVI. 648; a good defence of Dr. Stukeley's opinion in vol. XLIV. p. 199; Mr. Strutt's observations on Stonehenge, in vol. XLVIII. p. 268; Mr. Warner's opinion, in vol. LXXI. p. 916; Mr. Bigland's, vol. LXXX. i. p. 344; and Mr. Marshall's, vol. LXXXVIII. p. 57. A very neat view of Stonehenge, drawn by William Hamper, Esq. F. S. A. is given in vol. LXXVI. p. 600, before the last fall of the stones, in 1797; which fall is noticed in vol. LXVII. p. 75; vol. LXX. p. 1062. Several models of Stonehenge have been made, one of which is deposited in the Museum at Oxford.

A very good large view of Stonehenge, taken in March 1796, by James Malton, was published in 1800, dedicated to the Society of Antiquaries; but the most complete illustrations of it are the Views and Plans, so accurately drawn by Mr. P. Crocker, in Sir Richard Hoare's splendid work on the " Antient History of Wiltshire;" which work all who wish to know more of this "Wonder of the West," may advantageously consult.

Mr. URBAN,

Doctors' Commons,
Feb. 7.

It appears to me, that the power of appointing a Collector connects itself with the Churchwarden, whose duty it is to make the Levies; for the making a Rate would be useless, without the power of collecting it when made.

Your Correspondent admits that all reasonable expences must be allowed; then what expences, I ask, can be more reasonable than those by means of which the Rate is levied? For my own part, I consider such expences not only reasonable, but necessary.

Even were it the duty of the Churchwarden to collect the Rates, there are many circumstances (such as illness, by which he might be incapacitated from personally collecting them), under which it would be monstrous if he were held liable for the expences of collection; for it must be considered that the office of a Churchwarden is not an office of choice, but of necessity. And further, I think, no Churchwarden would be so inconsiderate of his own interest as to sue his predeces sor for such an application of the Rates as this; for such a proceeding would in all probability form a precedent for his successor against himself.

I cannot at present cite a case in point to confirm my opinion, but the basis of my argument appears so evident, as not to need any authority to establish it; if, however, it appears to your Correspondent that I have drawn an unfair inference from it, I shall be obliged by his endeavours to remove my present impression, if fallacious, in reply. CIVILIS.

Mr. URBAN,

Feb. 14.

PERHAPS your Correspondent W. WOMEN are said to be ra

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who has noticed my former observations in page 2, can inform me, how a Rate can be quashed after its collection? If a Churchwarden applies the Church Rates to an improper be called to account purpose, may by action at common law, by his successor, who alone has that right. I conceive the consequence of a Rate being quashed to be, that its collection is thereby prevented; which process would be useless, if applied to the case of your Correspondent.

The office of a Churchwarden is to make Rates and Levies for the repair of the Church; and I think the term "Levies" cannot be construed to imply an actual collection.

ther loquacious. Nevertheless, I, who am an old bachelor, and have had the honour of corresponding with not a few of them, had never any reason to make this remark. Often, to be sure, have I had reason to wish, that their hand-writing was more intelligible. A great exception to this remark was the late Countess of Waldegrave, whose letters never puzzled, but always convinced you. A Mrs. Pengelly, of Cornwall, long since deceased, merits the same compliment. Pray, Mr. Urban, advise all female correspondents, in penmanship to rival Lady Waldegrave, and Mrs. Pengelly, that so their correspondents may, without difficulty, ascertain their meaning.

CLERICUS.

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