Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB
[graphic]
[blocks in formation]

West Kennet, as one avenue; and the other, the tail, in the direction of Beckhampton. Dr. Stukely makes the number of stones, 652 in all, as under:

[blocks in formation]

30

[blocks in formation]

Outer circle of Hackpen Inner ditto

40

18

[blocks in formation]

Long stone. Cove jambs

2

[blocks in formation]

A stone he calls the ring stone
Closing stone of the tail

1

1

[blocks in formation]

Central pillar and altar, south circle
Kennet avenue

Of these, only seventy-six stones remained in the Kennet avenue in 1722. The large circle was enclosed by a trench or vallum upwards of 50 ft. in depth and between 60 and 70 ft. in width, leaving entrances open where the avenues intersected it.

3

W

The

colossal mound, called "Silbury hill," close to the Bath road, was probably connected in some way with the circle we have described, from the circumstance of the Roman road to Bath, made long afterwards, being diverted to avoid it. Dr. Owen thinks that the Abury circle was one of three primary circles in Great Britain, and that Silbury hill was the pile of Cyvrangon (heaping) characterised in the 14th Welsh triad; but the conjecture affords us no assistance in determining the people by whom the monument was raised. If it be in its arrangement intended to represent a serpent, it becomes immediately connected with ophiolatry, or serpent worship, a sin which beset the Israelites, and which would stamp it as proceeding from the central stamen of the hypothesis on which Mr. Higgins sets out. 18. Stonehenge, on Salisbury Plain, about seven miles from Salisbury and two miles to the west of Ambresbury, is certainly more artificial in its structure than Abury, and its construction may therefore be

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

safely referred to a later date. Fig. 5. is a restored plan of this wonder of the west, as it may well be called. The larger circle is 105 feet in diameter, and between it and the interior smaller circle is a space of about 9 feet. Within this smaller circle, which is half the height (8 feet) of the exterior one, was a portion of an ellipsis formed by 5 groups of stones, to which Dr. Stukely has given the name of trilithons, because formed by two vertical and one horizontal stone: the former are from 17 to 18 feet high, the middle trilithon being the highest. Within this ellipsis is another of single stones, half the height of the trilithons. The outer circle was crowned with a course of stones similar to an architrave or epissylium, the stones whereof were let into or joggled with one another by means of eggshaped tenons formed out of the vertical blocks. The ellipsis was connected in a similar manner. Within the inner elliptical enclosure was a block 16 ft. long, 4 ft. broad, and 20 in. thick. This has usually been called the altar stone. Round the larger circle, at the distance of 100 ft., a vallum was formed about 52 ft. in width, so that the external dimension of the work was a diameter of 420 ft. The vallum surrounding these sacred places seems to have been borrowed by the Canaanites in imitation of the enclosure with which Moses surrounded Mount Sinai, in order to prevent the multitude from approaching too near the sacred mysteries. The number of stones composing this monument is variously given. In the subjoined account we follow Dr. Stukely:

[blocks in formation]

Northwards from Stonehenge, at the distance of a few hundred yards, is a large single stone, which, at the period of its being placed there, has been by some thought to have marked a meridian line from the centre of the circle.

19. Fig. 6. is a view of the present state of this interesting ruin from the west. Mr.

[graphic]

Fig. 6.

STONEHENGE.

Cunnington, in a letter to Mr. Higgins, gives the following account of the stones which remain of the monument: "The stones on the outside of the work, those comprising the outward circle as well as the large (five) trilithons, are all of that species of stone called 'garsen' found in the neighbourhood; whereas the inner circle of small upright stones, and those of the interior oval, are composed of granite, hornstone, &c., most probably procured from some part of Devonshire or Cornwall, as I know not where such stones could be procured at a nearer distance."

20. Authors have in Stonehenge discovered an instrument of astronomy, and among them Maurice, whose view as to its founders coincides with those of the writers already cited, and with our own. We give no opinion on this point, but shall conclude the section by placing before the reader the substance of M. Bailly's notion thereon, recommending him to consult, in that respect, authorities better than we profess to be, and here expressing our own belief that the priests of ancient Britain were priests of Baal; and that the monuments, the subjects of this section, were in existence long before the Greeks, as a nation, were known, albeit they did derive the word Druid from 8pus (an oak), and said that they themselves were auтoxloves (sprung from the earth).

21. M. Bailly says, on the origin of the sciences in Asia, that a nation possessed of profound wisdom, of elevated genius, and of an antiquity far superior to the Egyptians or Indians, immediately after the flood inhabited the country to the north of India, between the latitudes of 40 and 50°, or about 50° north. He contends that some of the most celebrated observatories and inventions relating to astronomy, from their peculiar character, could have taken place only in those latitudes, and that arts and improvements gradually

travelled thence to the equator. The people to whom his description is most applicable is the northern progeny of Brahmins, settled near the Imaus and in Northern Thibet. We add, that Mr. Hastings informed Maurice of an immemorial tradition that prevailed at Benares, which was itself, in modern times, the grand emporium of Indian learning, - that all that of India came from a country situate in 40° of N. latitude. On this Maurice says, "This is the latitude of Samarcand, the metropolis of Tartary; and, by this circumstance, the position of M. Bailly should seem to be confirmed. This is the country where, according to the testimony of Josephus and other historians cited by the learned Abbé Pezron, are to be found the first Celta, by whom all the temples and caves of India were made. Higgins observes on this, that the worship of the Mithraitic bull existed in India, Persia, Greece, Italy, and Britain, and that the religion of the Druids, Magi, and Brahmins was the same. 22. (3.) Sacrificial Stones. These have been confounded with the cromlech, but the difference between them is wide. They are simple stones, either encircled by a shallow trench (vallum) and bank (agger), or by a few stones. Upon these almost all authors concur in believing that human immolation was practised; indeed, the name blod, or blood-stones, which they bear in the north of Europe, seems to point to their infernal use. We do not think it necessary to pursue further inquiry into them, as they present no remarkable nor interesting features. 23. (4.) Cromlechs and Cairns. The former of these seem to stand in the same relation to the large circles that the modern cell does to the conventual church of the Catholics. They consist of two or more sides, or vertical stones, and sometimes a back stone, the whole being covered with one not usually placed exactly horizontal, but rather in an inclining

[ocr errors]
[graphic]
[ocr errors]
[blocks in formation]

them, so as to leave an open recess beneath. The dimensions and computed weights of these stones are as follows:-height of that on the south side 8 ft., breadth 7 ft., thickness 2 ft., weight 8 tons; height of that on the north side 7 ft., breadth 7 ft., thickness 2 ft., weight 8 tons. The middle stone is very irregular; its medium length as well as breadth may be about 5 ft., its thickness about 1 ft. 2 in., and its weight about 2 tons. The upper stone or impost is also extremely irregular; its greatest length is nearly 12 ft., and its breadth about 9 ft.; its thickness is 2 ft., and its weight about 10 tons: the width of the recess at bottom is 9 ft., and at top 7 ft.; from the ground to the upper side of the covering stone is 9 ft. These stones are of the kind called Kentish rag. Many years ago there was a single stone of a similar kind and size to those forming the cromlech, about 70 yards to the north-west: this, which is thought to have once stood upright, like a pillar, has been broken into pieces and carried away." Another cromlech stood in the neighbourhood, which has been thrown down. The nonsense that has been gravely written upon this and similar monuments is scarcely worth mention. It will hardly be believed that there existed people who thought it was the sepulchral monument of king Catigern, from similarity of name, and others who consider it the grave of the Saxon chief, Horsa, from its proximity to Horsted. Cromlechs are found in situations remote indeed, a specimen being seated on the Malabar coast; and in the British isles they are so numerous, that we do not think it necessary to give a list of them.

24. The cairn or carn which we have in this section coupled with the cromlech, perhaps improperly, is a conical heap of loose stones. Whether its etymology be that of Rowland, from the words 737 (kern-ned), a coped heap, we shall, from too little skill in Hebrew, not venture to decide; so we do not feel quite sure that, as has been asserted, they were raised over the bodies of deceased heroes and chieftains. Our notion rather inclines to their having been a species of altar, though the heap of stones to which Jacob gave the name of Galeed, if it were of this species, was rather a memorial of the agreement between him and Laban. It can scarcely be called an architectural work; but we should have considered our notice of the earlier monuments of antiquity incomplete without naming the cairn.

25. (5.) Logan or Rocking Stones. These were large blocks poised so nicely on the points of rocks, that a small force applied to them produced oscillation. The weight of the celebrated one in Cornwall, which is granite, has been computed at upwards of 90 tons.

The use of these stones has been conjectured to be that of testing the innocence of persons accused of crime, the rocking of the stone being certain, unless wedged up by the judge of the tribunal, in cases where he knew the guilt of the criminal: but we think that such a purpose is highly improbable.

26. (6.) Tolmen or Colossal Stones.

The Tolmen, or hole of stone, is a stone of considerable magnitude, so disposed upon rocks as to leave an opening between them, through which an object could be passed. It is the general opinion in Cornwall that invalids were cured of their diseases by being passed through the opening above mentioned. "The most stupendous monument of this kind," (see fig. 8.) says Borlase, "is in the tenement of Mên, in the parish of Constantine, in Cornwall; it is one great oval pebble, placed on the points of two natural rocks, so that a man may creep under the great one, between the supporters, through a passage of about three feet wide, by as much high. The longest diameter of this stone is 33 ft., being in a direction due north and south. Its height, measured perpendicularly over the opening is, 14 ft. 6 in., and the breadth, in the widest part, 18 ft. 6 in., extending from east to west. I measured one half of the circumference, and found it, according to my computation, 48 ft., so that this stone is 97 ft. in circumference, lengthwise, and about 60 ft. in girt, measured at the middle; and, by the best information, it contains about 750 tons." We close this section by the expression of our belief that the extraordinary monuments whereof we have been speaking are of an age as remote as, if not more so than, the pyramids of Egypt, and that they were the works of a colony of the great nation that was at the earliest period settled in central Asia, either through the swarm that passed north-west over Germany, or south-west through Phoenicia; for, on either route, but rather, perhaps, the latter, traces of gigantic works remain, to attest the wonderful powers of the people of whom they are the remains.

[graphic]

SECT. II.

PELASGIC OR CYCLOPEAN ARCHITECTURE.

27. Pelasgic or Cyclopean architecture, (for that as well as the architecture of Phoenicia, seems to have been the work of branches of an original similarly thinking nation) presents for the notice of the reader, little more than massive walls composed of huge pieces of rock, scarcely more than piled together without the connecting medium of cement of any species. The method of its construction, considered as masonry, to the eye of the architect is quite sufficient to connect it with what we have in the preceding section called Druidical or Celtic architecture. It is next to impossible to believe that all these species were not executed by the same people. The nature and principles of Egyptian art were the same, but the specimens of it which remain bear marks of being of later date, the pyramids only excepted. The Greek fables about the Cyclopeans have been sufficiently exposed by Jacob Bryant, who has shown that the Greeks knew nothing about their own early history. Herodotus (lib. v. cap. 6.) alludes to them under the name of Cadmians, saying they were particularly famous for their architecture, which he says they introduced into Greece; and wherever they came, erected noble structures remarkable for their height and beauty. These were dedicated to the Sun under the names of Elorus and Pelorus. Hence every thing great and stupendous was called Pelorian; and, transferring the ideas of the works to the founders, they made them a race of giants. Homer says of Polyphemus,

Και γαρ θαυμ' ετέτυκτο πελώριον, ουδι 6002064
Ανδρι γε σιτοφαγῳ, αλλα ρίῳ ύληεντι.

Virgil, too, describes him "Ipse arduus, alta pulsat sidera." Famous as lighthouse builders, wherein a round casement in the upper story afforded light to the mariner, the Greeks turned this into a single eye in the forehead of the race, and thus made them a set of monsters. Of the race were Trophonius and his brother Agamedes, who, according to Pausanias (lib. ix.) contrived the temple at Delphi and the Treasury constructed to Urius. So great was the fame for building of the Cyclopeans that, when the Sybil in Virgil shows Eneas the place of torment in the shades below, the poet separates it from the regions of bliss by a Cyclopean wall:

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small]

28. The walls of the city of Mycene are of the class denominated Cyclopean, thus denounced for ruin by Hercules in Seneca :

64

[ocr errors]

Quid moror? majus mihi
Bellum Mycenis restat, ut Cyclopea

Eversa manibus moenia nostris concidant."

Hercules Furens, act. 4. v. 996.

29. The gate of the city and the chief tower were particularly ascribed to them (Pausanias, lib. ii.) Argos had also the reputation of being Cyclopean. But, to return to Mycene, Euripides, we should observe, speaks of its walls as being built after the Phoenician rule and method:

[blocks in formation]

30. Fig. 9. is a representation of a portion of the postern gate of the walls of Mycene, for the purpose of exhibiting to the reader the character of the masonry employed in it.

31. The walls of Tiryns, probably more ancient than those we have just named, are celebrated by Homer in the words Τίρυνθα τειχιόεσσαν, and are said by Apollodorus and Strabo to have been built by workmen whom Prætus brought from Lycia. The words of Strabo are, Τίρυνθι ὁρμητηριῳ χρησασθαι δοκει Προιτος, και τειχισαι δια Κυκλώπων· οὓς ἑπτα μεν είναι, καλείσθαι δε Γαστερόχειρας, τρεφομένους εκ της τέχνης, Protus appears to have used Tiryns as a harbour, and to have walled it by the assistance of the Cyclops, who were seven in number, and called Gastrocheirs (bellyhanded), living by their labour. "These seven Cyclops," says Jacob Bryant, "were, I make no doubt, seven Cyclopean towers built by the people." Further on, he adds, "These towers were erected likewise for Purait, or Puratheia, where the rites of fire were performed: but Purait, or Puraitus, the Greeks changed to Prætus; and gave out that the towers were built for Prætus, whom they made a king of that country." The same author says that the Cyclopeans worshipped the sun under the symbol of a serpent; thus again

[graphic]

Fig. 10.

PART OF THE WALLS OF TIRYNS.

trium; in the three last whereof the walls and at Fiesole, Arezzo, and other places.

connecting them with the builders of Abury noticed in page 6. Fig. 10. is a view of some portions of the walls of Tiryns, and for others we refer the reader to the Travels in Albania, by the Rev. Mr. Hughes.

32. Mr. Hamilton (Archæologia) divides the specimens of Cyclopean buildings into four æras. In the first he includes Tiryns and Mycene, where the blocks composing the masonry are of various sizes, having or having had smaller stones in their interstices. Second, as at Julis and Delphi, masonry without courses, formed of irregular polygonal stones, whose sides fit to each other. Third, that in which the stones are laid in courses of the same height, but unequal in length of stones; of this species are specimens in Boeotia, Argolis, and the Phocian cities. Fourth and last, that in which the stones are of various heights, and always rectangular, whereof examples are found in Attica. It must here be observed that, in the Etrurian part of Italy, Cyclopean works exist, particularly of those which Mr. Hamilton places in the second æra; as at Norba in Latium, Cora, Signia, and Alaresemble those of Tiryns, Argos, and Mycene;

33. We shall now return to some further particulars in relation to Tiryns and Mycene, from which a more distinct notion of these fortresses will be obtained; but further investigation of those in Italy will hereafter be necessary, under the section on Etruscan architecture. The Acropolis of Tiryns, a little to the south-east of Argos, is on a mount rising about fifty

[graphic]
« ZurückWeiter »