entertaining to the general reader: I have, therefore, added numerous references to corroborate what might seem doubtful, and elucidate what might seem obscure. Nor have I allowed partiality completely to triumph over candour in my criticisms; but where my son has appeared to me to follow the current of tradition rather than the stream of history, I have marked the divarication, in order that the reader might choose his own course. As the narrative, after traversing the sombre shades of early civilization, emerges into the full light of classical sunshine, and connects itself in its progress with some of the greatest characters, and some of the most important events which the world has ever witnessed; I have cited standard authorities to authenticate and illustrate its various descriptions and allusions. Indeed, I have done that for Stonehenge," which my learned brother, Monkbarns, proposed doing for the "Caledoniad:" but in this I deem myself more fortunate than him-that my comment has not been delayed by the non-completion of the text. Hoping that this hint will not be lost upon my Lord Geraldine, I proceed further to observe, that my friend Monkbarns's very 66 excellent proposal of introducing his important Essay on Castrametation into an appendix, has also suggested to me the idea that an Essay on Druidism would give great value to the present work. I had commenced a series of notes explanatory of the rites and history of Druidism; but upon more mature reflection, I determined to collect all the information which I had to communicate on that subject; embracing a considerable quantity which had been amassed by my son, into one essay; which I have now appended to the narrative; and in which, I flatter myself, the curious reader will find the apparent incongruities of the rites and tenets of this mystical religion satisfactorily explained and accounted for, and the whole digested into one consistent system. INTRODUCTION. GENTLE READER ! If thou art given to the study of thy country's antiquities, and hast felt thy heart glow within thee as thou hast read of Spenser's fairy themes And those that Milton loved in early years. thou wilt not despise this attempt to clothe in modern language, a very ancient tale. If the study of antiquity hath taken deep hold on thy mind, thou wilt have acquired that habit of cautious discrimination for which antiquaries are so proverbial! In such case thou wilt not care to perplex thyself by judging of the authenticity of any work by its internal evidence, but will rather list to what it's au excellent proposal of introducing his important Essay on Castrametation into an appendix, has also suggested to me the idea that an Essay on Druidism would give great value to the present work. I had commenced a series of notes explanatory of the rites and history of Druidism; but upon more mature reflection, I determined to collect all the information which I had to communicate on that subject; embracing a considerable quantity which had. been amassed by my son, into one essay; which I have now appended to the narrative; and in which, I flatter myself, the curious reader will find the apparent incongruities of the rites and tenets of this mystical religion satisfactorily explained and accounted for, and the whole digested into one consistent system. INTRODUCTION. GENTLE READER! If thou art given to the study of thy country's antiquities, and hast felt thy heart glow within thee as thou hast read of Spenser's fairy themes And those that Milton loved in early years. thou wilt not despise this attempt to clothe in modern language, a very ancient tale. If the study of antiquity hath taken deep hold on thy mind, thou wilt have acquired that habit of cautious discrimination for which antiquaries are so proverbial! In such case thou wilt not care to perplex thyself by judging of the authenticity of any work by its internal evidence, but will rather list to what it's au |