Chapter 6

AThe Plant of theMonopteros.BTheOrderofPillarswhich continued round about it, to which the outward circle (of Pillasters) in thisAntiquity Stoneheng, directly corresponds, as will appear in the second Figure thereof, formerly described by the LetterI.TheDesignfollows.CThe Plant of thePeripteros.DThePorticocontinuing about theCell.EThe CircularCellenclosed with a wall, which in theTemple Stoneheng, to vary the invention, was converted into anHexagonallform, and in stead of walling it round about, theArchitectas said before, left it wholly open, as most agreeing with the nature of theDeityto whom consecrate.The Design follows.By the Plants of which saidRoman Temples, although it is plainly manifest, from whence the invention ofStonehengwas taken: yet, that it may more clearly be understood, I have, unto theOrderof pillars which makes thePorticoof the last of thoseTemples, applied theArchitectonicall Scheamby which ourAntiquitywas formed; whereby the intersection of the severall triangles fully demonstrates after what manner the greaterHexagonmade open atStoneheng, was raised from the solid wall environing theCellof thePeripteros.FThe Rank ofPillarswhich made thePorticoof thePeripteros.GTheArchitectonicall Scheamby whichStonehengformed.HThe circular wall environing theCellof thePeripteros.IAfter what manner the stones of the greaterHexagonatStoneheng, were raised from the circumference of the said wall.The Design follows.But, before deliver my judgment, unto which of theirDeitiesthisTemple Stonehengwas anciently dedicated by theRomans, I shall give you some customs in force amongst theAncients, relating theDecorumused by them, in building their particularTemples: whereby, those several opinions seemingly conclusive to whomStonehengsacred, may more evidently appear invalid, and my own more apparently probable. Those therefore that endevour the searching outAntiquitiesofArchitecture, must amongst others, especially prescribe to themselves five things to be guided by.viz.The Situation,Aspect,Manner,Form, andOrderof the work as in use amongst theAncients. For, inventing the severall ornaments ofArchitecture, at first for honour and distinction onely of theirDeities, they appropriated to each of them particularsituations, preciseforms, peculiarOrders, according to the severall qualities, in regard whereof adored by them.Thesituationof theTemplestoVenus,Mars,Vulcan, they ordained to be chosen without their Cities, as those which moved mens minds to lasciviousnesse, wars, and devastations. Within their Cities they placed theTemplesof the Patrons ofChastity,Peace, goodArts: and of such Gods also, to whom the Protection of their Cities committed. ToPallas,Mercury, andIsisthe chief Presidents of Artificers, and Merchants, they builtTemplesnear the Market places, or upon the Market places themselves. ToApolloandBacchusnear theTheater. ToHerculesnear the Cirque orAmphitheater. UntoÆsculapiusandSalus, in places most of all others healthfull, and near to pure streams, and waters; because the infirm people, coming out of a pestilent and contagiousAire, to that which was good and healthfull, by drinking those waters might the sooner, and with lesse difficulty be recovered, whereby zeal to those supposedDeitiesencreased.TheAspect Hypæthros, mentioned before, of whichStonehengappears built, was proper only to some of their Gods, as shall be remembred in due time: the otherfive(needlesse here to name) were indifferently disposed, sometimeto one, and sometime to anotherDeity, as the magnificence of theTemplesto be built required, and, as to be made withPortico’sor without.TheManner, whichVitruviusdistinguishes into five kinds, according as the intercolumnes are of five severall proportions, was only so far forth peculiarly appropriated to theirDeities, as it was agreeable to the properOrder, otherwise they followed the greatnesse of the Work.But, to each of them appropriating particular forms ofTemples; to some of their Gods, they made them of a round form, to others quadrangular, to others of many angles: some of them having theirTemplescovered, with roofs over them; others again built uncovered, without any manner of roofs at all: As, ourAntiquity Stoneheng.Lastly, theOrderof which they built them, was so diligently observed, according to the peculiar qualities of theirDeities, that seldom or never they varied: as in fit place I shall remember. These aforesaid rules also were so firmly observed by theAncients, that even at first sight theRoman Architectsof old were able to judge, to whatDeity, this, or thatTemplesacred: and the modernItalian Architects, by the ruines of them at this day, give such notable testimonies towards the discovery of them, as are very hardly to be contradicted. Whosoever desires more of this, may readVitruvius,Leo Baptista Albertus, and other Authors writing ofArchitecture. That then we may arrive to a degree of certainty unto whom ourStonehenganciently dedicated; some suchDeitieof theRomansis to be found out, in whose honour they builtTemples, not only in suchsituationsas this atStoneheng; but with whole nature or quality theFormandAspectthereof may be agreeable also; and theOrder proper. For, whosoever goes about to enforce other reasons, do as I conceive but beat the air, neither can they reduce thisAntiquityto any probable Originall.To which of theRomanDeitiesStonehengconsecrated, are, as I said before, severall opinions. Some presume it sacred toDiana, but upon what ground their conjecture is raised,considering both theAspectandMannerof thisTempleutterly different from those theAncientsused to dedicate to Her, I cannot conceive;Vitr. lib. 3. cap. 1 & 2.for, theMannerof theTempleserected toDiana, wasDiastylos, i.e.columnis ampliùs patentibus, made with large and void spaces: theAspectof that atEphesuswasDipteros; that atMagnesia Pseudodipteros: whichManner Hermogenesinventing to save expence and labour, though he left out theOrderof pillars within, and thereby thePorticocame to be more large, yet theAspectcontinued still the same. And, as in theAspectandManner, so likewise in theOrderandFormit’s different: that, atEphesusaforesaid being of theIonick Order, theOrderpeculiarly appropriated toDiana, and quadrangular: of the sameFormalso, was that atMagnesiaaforesaid, and so likewise theRomansbuilt them, as by the now Church of S.JohnEvangelist at theLatian, orLatinePort, anciently the Temple ofDiana; and that in MountAventinealso,Fab. Cal.the chief of herTemplesinRome, fully appears. Thesituationof the Temples dedicated to her, was in groves, whenceVitruviuscalsVitr. lib. 4. cap. 7.her grovyDiana.Ecce suburbanæ templum nemorale Dianæ, saithOvid.See whereDiana’sgrovy Temple stands.In which sortVirgil,Pliny, and other Authors also tell us her Temples were always sited. TheArchitecturetherefore of the Temples toDiana, and this atStonehengbeing so far different, there is no probable reasonStonehengshould be suppos’d dedicated to her.Moreover, whether or no this opinion maybe consistent with any of those qualities, the Ancients endowed this Goddesse with, let us examine further the Nature of the Deity it self. IsStonehengNat. Com. lib. 3. cap. 18.consecrated toDianabecause she presided over ways? what publick roads then, or common high-ways are to be read of, which anciently led over the Downs near thisAntiquity? The most ancient ways we meet with, and which theRomansfirst made in thisIsland, asCamdenCamden fo. 64.sets them down, are four,Watling-street,Ikemild-street,Ermin-street, and theFosse.Watling-streetled throughVerolamiumdirectly as it were by a streight line to the West side ofLeicestershire,Camden fo. 517.and from thence through the Northerly Counties intoWales.Ikemild-streetbegan in the Countrey of theIceni, tending Eastward.Ermin-streetin the same quarter, running throughCambridgeshire,Huntingdonshire, and so on towardsLincolnshireled the right way into the Northern Countreys on that side: (this street-way, happly, may be that which among the inhabitants passeth now by the name ofHigh Dike.) TheFossepassing throughWarwickshire,Ibid. fo. 366.came down toStowon theWould, thence toCirncester, fromCirncestercontinuing on towardsBathand beyond it toSomertoninto the Western Provinces: the ridge whereof is yet to be seen in divers places of that tract. All of them lying so far fromStonehengthat none of them are remembred to come nearer thenCirncesterto any part of the Plains whereon it stands, and therefore in this respect there can be no cause to imagine thisAntiquityshould be dedicated to her. Or, isStonehengsacred toDiana, because she was the Patronesse of Gates? for which reason the Ancients built her Temples, either near to them within their Cities, or not far from them in the pleasant suburbs. But what Cities, or places having any such Gates, were ever found anciently so nearStoneheng, as might cause the dedication of so great a work to her? surely none. Or, isStonehenghallowed toDianabecause she had the tutelage of Mountains? if so, then where are those Mountains to be found near thisAntiquityonSalisburyPlains? which Plains, North, South, East and Westward through the midst ofWiltshireare so open, that they terminate the Horizon. If any such Mountains there, why do all Historians call them Plains? But admit Mountains somtimes onSalisburyPlain, what then became of them? were they removed by Earthquakes, swallowed into the ground by anHiatusof the earth, or levell’d by inundations? then let it be made apparent when such like accidents fell out. Or isStonehengdedicated toDiana, because she delighted to bath her self in fountains andfresh springs? where are those fountains and fresh springs to be found? haply, in the utmost borders they may be had, none certainly in the body of the Plains, or any thing nearStoneheng: spring veins being not there to be found, unlesse by sinking wells or pits very deep, which the inhabitants are enforced to make in severall places for watering their sheep, and as glad they are there, as the Patriarchs of old in the deserts ofCanaanto come by them. Or isStonehengsacred toDiana, because reputed Goddesse of hunting? then, who ever desirous of a Temple for her, may finde it inDaphne, the anciently famous suburbs ofAntiochia, where was not onely a Temple dedicated to her,Strab. li. 16.but anAsylumalso, asStrabowitnesseth: such places only being held proper for her mysteries, where interven’d variety of pleasures, goodly shadowy groves, delicate walks, and pleasant springs of most cool and fresh waters. In the midst of these delights the Ancients sited her Temples, not in wilde Downs, or vast Plains, so wide and open that hardly see from one side of them to another, affording neither shelter for travellers against canicular heats, nor succour for cattell against the boisterous blasts of blusteringBoreas. Lastly, isStonehengdedicated toDiana, because the supposed guardian of woods? then remains it to be made apparent by them, those Plains in ancient times bore another countenance then at present. That they were full of Forrests, woods and groves, with variety of lawns, replenished and stored with such sorts of game, and wilde beasts in chase whereofDianaand her companions are said to recreate themselves: from whence some are of opinion she was calledDiana, as much to sayRosin. lib. 2. cap. 7.Deviana, quoniam venantes per devia & silvas deviare solent, captantes feras. Because of huntsmens deviating, or wandring out of the way, through uncouth paths and woods in pursuit of their game.That those Plains afforded as much pleasure and delights as theThessalian Tempe, theSyrian Daphne, or what place else as famous where herTemplesanciently stood: and, in what unknown age they were disafforrested and laid wast. Which, if ever so, certainly some signs thereof would remain, or at least be found there, as well as in other parts of the Island, in times past overgrown with woods. As inAngleseyformerly mentioned; inCheshire, where, in digging their marlepits are often found huge trees, demonstrating to posterity the forrests there anciently growing; in the Isle ofAxholminLincolnshire, where the inhabitants have hardly any fewell, but what such trees afford so digged out of the earth; inSomersetshire, where I my self have seen trunks of trees lying under ground, and expressing the places in times past overgrown with trees, very few or none being in those places now standing. Besides, some remembrance of the aforesaid forrests and woods History questionlesse would yeeld; now what occasion soever Historians take for mentioning this tract, not one word is delivered by them to that purpose, all unanimously consenting ’twas never other then at present an open and champion Countrey. A Theater on whichBellonaoften displayed her bloody ensigns, and acted severall tragedies in times of old: A field ofMars, whereRomans,Saxonsand afterDanesfor obtaining the dominion of this Island decided their ambitious controversies. Of which actions we have visible testimony unto this day, witnesse those burrows, and places where they cast the bodies of their slain, over all quarters of the plain dispersed, which in long time are so shrowded by nature with ever growing grasse, that their memory will remain by their sepulchres to all posterity; that which consumes all works of Art, making them still more fresh and flourishing: witnesse spoils of war there frequently digged up, as formerly remembred: severall encamping places of those severall Nations in all parts of the plain even yet appearing, no place in the whole Island, respecting the circuit, having more remains of them: Also that huge Trench, mentioned before by the name ofWansdike, running through the very bowels of them, such manner of trenches appearing no where in any part ofEnglandbeside, saving where the like plains interveen; so atNewmarket Heaththe like trench vulgarly calledDevils Dike, as ifmade by Devils not by men, isto be seen; though in ancient times it was the limits of the Kingdome of the EastAngles,Camden fo. 490.and it took end, asCamdenvery well observes,where the passages by reason of woods grew cumbersome: Which, if the like be granted forWansdike(as is very probable, it ending also with the Plains) then without controversie there were no more woods in times of old onSalisburyPlains then at this day; it running overthwart them, as in a direct line from East to West. And who knows not, that other manner of fortifications then running trenches upon direct lines are to be cast up for defence of woody situations? But why urge more Authorities, when the Inhabitants of the Countrey tell us, the soil or ground being hot, dry, and chalky is altogether improper for the growth of trees. Thus then the situation of the place, so antipathizing in all respects with the nature and qualities anciently attributed toDiana, and theManner,Form, andOrderof thisAntiquity, so contrary to the custome used by theAncientsin erecting her Temples, no reason wherefore thisTemple Stonehengshould be conceiv’d as erected for celebration of the superstitious ceremonies anciently ascribed unto herWorship.Some, again, would haveStonehengconsecrated toPan; becausePanaGreekword signifying theUniverse, under him the whole frame ofNaturewas adored. And therefore, theAncientsmade his statues with horns, saithServius, expressing thereby the beams of theSun, and horns of theMoon; those issuing from his forehead, and turning upwards towardsHeaven, asBoccacewill have it, signified the Celestiall bodies: feigning also, as the world moves with extraordinary swiftnesse, he excelled likewise in speed of running. By the purple, ruddy, and enflamed face, attributed toPan, that pure fire, above all otherElementsholding his place in the confines of the Celestiall Sphears was demonstrated: by his large long beard descending down upon his breast, the two superiour ElementsAireandFireof a masculine nature, sending down their impressions upon the other two naturally feminine was shewed: by the spotted skin covering his breast and shoulders, the eighth sphear wholly embelished with glorious stars; inveloping in like manner all appertaining to the nature of sublunary creatures was represented: by the sheep-hook which he held in one hand, Natures dominion over all things (according toBoccace) was signified: and asServiussaith, because this staffe, or rod was crooked, the year revolving into it self, was thereby expressed: in the other hand holding a Pipe, consisting of seven reeds, whereby, the Celestiall harmony conceived by some to have seven sounds, and seven different tunes, according to the number of thePlanets, and theirSphearswhich are seven, was so set forth.After this mannerMythologistsdiscourse ofPan, with various opinions, according to the subtile niceties of their severall fancies: and in these respects as having relation to theHeavens, thisAntiquity Stonehengis imagined sacred toHim. ’Tis true, ifMythologie, and not demonstrative reasons were to be fixt upon in matters ofArchitecture, the former conceptions might be some ground to frame conjecturesStonehengsacred toPan. But,Architecturedepending upon demonstration, not fancy, the fictions ofMythologistsare no further to be embraced, then as not impertinently conducing to prove reall truths. Wherefore, the aforesaid ancient rules for buildingTemplesconsidered, and comparing theOrder,Form,AspectandSituationof theTemplestoPan, with the like in thisAntiquity, so much contrariety is found betwixt them, as may convince any reasonable judgementStonehengnot dedicated toHim.Pan pastorum, venatorum, & universæ vitæ rusticanæ præsidem crediderunt Antiqui, saithNat. Com. lib. 5.Natalis Comes.Panwas the reputedGodamongst theAncients, of Shepherds, Huntsmen, and all those that led an agrestick life. The same Author also calling himPiscatorum Deum, theGod of Fishermenas well asShepherds.Arcadibus Deorum antiquissimus & honoratissimus est Pan, saithDionysius.Dion. Hali. lib. 1.Rosin. lib. 2.Pan is the most ancient, and most honoured Deity of the Arcadians.And inArcadiaitself where he was principally adored, they built hisTemplesfor the most part in Townsof the sameFormandOrderas toJuno: In theTown of Heræa,habet Pan templum suum(saithPausaniasPausan. fo. 496.in his description ofArcadia)quod olimJunonidicatum fuit, Panhad his Temple which anciently was dedicated toJuno. Now, theOrder appropriatedtoJunoby theRomans, was theIonick, as is manifest fromVitruvius, who tels us,To Juno, Diana, and Bacchus, and to the otherDeitiesVitr. lib. 1. cap. 2.of the same quality,they built Temples of the Ionick Order. TheFormin like manner of her sacred structures was quadrangular, as in MountAventine, inforo Olitorio(or the herb Market) in MountQuirinal, and elswhere amongst theRomanstheAlexan.Don.Pomp. Totti.ruinesof herTemplesdo evidently witnesse: as also, herTemplesanciently atArgos, and amongst theEliansinGreece, built of the likeForm, and of theDorick Order. But thisAntiquityPausan. fo. 114. & 317.is of the severeTuscanework, and of a round figure. TheTemplestoPanhad aPorticoonely infront, atStonehengit continues round about theCell. TheTemplestoPanwere not exposed to the openAire, and built uncovered asStonehengwas, but had roofs upon them. For,Ignis ei perpetuus ardebat, thereinthey kept perpetuall fire,Ibid. fo. 516.as atAcacesiumaTownalso ofArcadians; allTempleswherein they kept such fires being covered, as theTempletoApolloatDelphosamongst theGreeks, and toVestaatRomeamongst theRomans. But, if at any time they did erect them distant from aTown, reserving always theFormandOrder, they chose such situations as wholly environed with trees; for example, theTempletoPanin MountLycæus, was compassed in with a thick wood,condenso circumseptum luco, asPausaniashath it: so likewise, thatTemplesacred toHimin theParthenianForrest, according to the said Author. Now, thisTemple Stonehengis sited in an open champion Countrey, where scarce a bush or tree, much lesse thick woods, or forrests to be seen throughout the whole Plain; nor was there ever any in times of old as History remembers, and the nature of the soil, as I am informed, is no wise prosperous for their growing there, as is sufficiently before declared.ButPan(say they) being the God ofShepherds, why might notStonehengto gratifie them be erected, and consequentlyby theRomansdedicated to their GodPan? no place in the whole Island more abounding with sheep, then the circumadjacent Plains; the almost innumerable flocks whereof, not only most plentifully satisfying the bordering inhabitants for food; but, from their delicate fleeces, a great part of the known universe are clad also. I answer, amongst theRomans(declared at large before to beFoundersofStoneheng) I do not finde any oneTemple,Holy House,Sanctuary,Grove,Altar, or any such like sacred structure consecrated toPanin their own Country; much lesse anyTemplededicated unto Him by them inBritain: and therefore, utterly improbable thisTemple Stonehengshould be erected by theRomansuntoPan.There was aTempleindeed,Dion. Hal. lib. 1.Rosin. lib. 2. cap. 20.built toPan Lycæuson MountPalatine, by thoseArcadianswhich accompaniedEvanderintoItaly; in which, though theRomansin succeeding times performed the same rites, as theArcadiansanciently had instituted; yet,Hepassed with theRomansunder the name ofLupercus,Justin. lib. 43.and in honour ofHim, as some Authors of opinion, certain festivals or games calledLupercalia, atRomeonely, not in Provinces conquered by them, were solemnized by theRomans; Noblemens sons running in those games,Plutarch. in Rom.Rosin. lib. 3. cap. 2.according to the primitive institution setting forth and beginning their course at MountPalatine, and so round about the City to the same place again. I may not omit, neverthelesse, that severall Authors deliver theLupercaliawere instituted in thankfulnesse toLupa, or the wolf that gaveRomulussuck, and the course of those games beginning at MountPalatine(not so much in remembrance it seems ofPansTemple there, as) from theLupercalorthe very place they say wherePlut. in Rom.Romuluswas cast out.DionysiusofHalicarnassustels usDion. lib. 1.theArcadiansbuilt the aforesaidTempletoPan,idoneo invento loco &c.when they had found out aconvenient placefor it adjoyning to their habitations: the condition or nature of which place is not unworthy your observation; for by his description thereofwe shall easily perceive what manner of situation was by theArcadianShepherds held proper for performing the ceremonies of their GodPan. His words are,Erat tum, ut fertur, spelunca sub tumulo magna, denso querceto contecta, & sub petris profundi fonticuli, solúmque rupibus contiguum nemorosum, & frequentibus ac proceris opacum arboribus: ibi ara deo extructa, more patrio sacra fecerunt. Under the Hill(to wit, MountPalatine)was anciently, as report goes(saith he)a great cave or den, covered over by a thick grove, deep wells or riverets running amongst the stones of the cave, and round about it a wood, by the many and tall trees growing therein very dark and obscure: there the Altar of the God was placed, and his Sacrifices after their Country manner performed. Now isStonehengthus sited, or was there ever any such like place near thisAntiquity? of all the places inEnglandthat I know, none comes nearer that cave, thenOchy-holeinSomersetshire: And if the Ancients held such dismall situations only proper forPans Temples, then without peradventureStonehengwas never erected in honour of him, they being no innovators in their superstitions.A further observation may be made to our purpose, upon the aforesaid description,Erat tum antrum magnum, it was anciently(saithDionysius)Dion. lib. 1.a great cave. But in his own time, which was underAugustus, theRomanshad so choked up the place with building, that the manner howPans Templein old time stood, was hardly to be discovered:nunc quidem ædificiis(saith he)fanum circumquaque sepientibus, difficilis conjectura est qualis olim loci natura fuerit. At this present, verily, the Temple being every way environed with buildings, it is hardly to be conjectured in what manner of place it anciently stood. This was the cause which enforced him to deliver to posterity the former description meerly upon report. Certainly then, theRomansemploying the place to profaner uses,PansDeity was little esteemed by them; otherwise, they would never have polluted it, by setting up private houses upon the place consecrated to him. Now theRomansslighting him after this manner at home, little reason appears so magnificent a structure asStoneheng, should beerected by them for adoration ofPanin other Countreys.Furthermore, the Sacrifices in times of old offered toPanwere milk and honey, offered up in simple Shepherds crocks or earthen pitchers:quare non ritè sacrificabant, qui tauros illi immolabant, aut qui in aureis poculis lac aut vinum offerebant &c.Nat. Com. lib. 5.Wherefore, they sacrificed not aright, saithNatalis Comes, who immolated Buls or Oxen unto him, or out of golden cups poured forth milk or wine upon his Altars; for goblets of that metall were proper onely for the supernall and celestiallDeities, not to terrestriall, and such as had care of Heardsmen or Shepherd Swains. To which purpose also, the same Author out ofApollonius SmyrnæusremembersPan, thus speaking of himself.Sum Deus agrestis, cur his sunt aurea sacrisPocula? quo vinum funditis Italicum?Ad petram cur stat taurus cervice ligatus?Parcite: non hæc est victima grata mihi.Pan montanus ego sum, ligneus, ipsáque vestisPellicea est: mustum è fictilibúsque bibo.In English thus:A rurall God am I, in golden cupThe Falern wine, why then d’yee offer up?Why at mine Altar, stands the stern Bull bound,Or Oxe that’s fat, with laurell girland crown’d?Spare ye such cost: no gratefull victimes theseAre unto me, others lesse costly please.A Mountaineer, a wood-man clad in skinAm I: your wine in earthen vessels bring.But the Sacrifices anciently offered atStoneheng(already remembred) wereBulsorOxen, and severall sorts of beasts, as appears by the heads of divers kinds of them, not many years since there digged up.As for that of thePantheon, it is very well known theAncientsso called it, not in any relation toPan, but because it was sacred toJovetheRevenger, and according to others toCibele, and all Gods. For which reason,Bonifacethe fourth obtained licence from the EmperourPhocas,Platin. in Bon.to consecrate it to theVirgin Mary, and all Saints. And who knows not theArchitecturethereof wholly different from this ofStoneheng? ThePantheonhath itsCellenclosed with a continued solid wall, and thePorticoonly in front, of the delicateCorinthian Order; of whichOrderthe inner part consisted likewise, being vaulted in most admirable and magnificent manner. From whenceDion. lib. 53.Dion Cassiusdelivers his opinion,inde id nominis habere, quod forma convexa fastigiatum, cœli similitudinem ostenderet, it to be called thePantheon,because by the form of that vault wherewith covered, it represented the concave of Heaven, or (as others will) the figure of the world; for the world being mans house, the firmament is as the vaulted roof thereof. At the crown of the vault it had an opening, by which only it received light and air. But, thisAntiquity Stonehengbuilt of a grave and humbleOrder(as is said before) had a doublePorticocontinuing round about it, the Cell thereof free and open, and every way exposed to the air, received light from all parts.Wherefore leaving these,Stonehengwas dedicated, as I conceive, to the GodCœlus, by some Authors calledCœlum, by othersUranus, from whom the Ancients imagined all things took their beginning. My reasons are, First, in respect of thesituationthereof; for it stands in a Plain, remote from anyTownorVillage, in a free and open air, without any groves or woods about it.Secondly, in regard of theAspect; forStonehengwas never covered, but built without a roof. WhichDecorumtheRomansever observed, both in theSituationandAspectof theTemplesdedicated to this their God, and toJovetheLightner, theSun, and theMoon.Vitr. li. 1. cap. 2.Jovi fulguratori, & Cœlo, & Soli, & Lunæ, ædificia sub divo Hypæthráque constituuntur. ToJovethe Lightner, and to Cœlus, and to the Sun, and to the Moon, they erected buildings in the open air and uncovered, saithVitruviusin the second Chapter of his first Book. Take with you also his reason.Horum enim Deorum & species & effectus in aperto mundo atque lucentipræsentes videmus, because both the forms and effects of these Deities, we behold present before our eyes, in a clear and open view.Another reason I find also why they built their Temples toCœlus,Godw. Antiq. l. 1. cap. 20.and those other Deities uncovered asStoneheng: because they counted it an hainous matter to see those Gods confined under a roof, whose doing good consisted in being abroad.Thirdly, in regard of theFormofStoneheng, which iscircular.Pier. Valer.Hier. lib. 39.This figure was proper to theTemplesofCœlusandTellus, whom the Ancients calledVesta, asValerianus(in hisHieroglyphicks) affirms.Non solamente la palla, ma una simplice piegatura di ruota, appresso gli Egizziani demostrava il Cielo. Not only(saith he)the circular form, but the meer segment of a circle amongst the Egyptians was an Hieroglyphick of Cœlus. And to this purpose also,Leo Baptista Albertususeth these words.Leo Bapt.Alb. lib. 7.Ædem Vestæ, quam esse terram putarent, rotundam ad pilæ similitudinem, faciebant. Unto Vesta, whom they reputed to be the Earth, they built Temples of a round form globelike. Besides, observe whatPhilandercommenting onVitruviustels us.Philand. in 4. lib. Vitr. cap. 7.Templorum quanquam alia fiant quadrata, alia multorum angulorum, Cœli naturam imitati veteres, imprimis rotundis sunt delectati: Although(saith he)the Ancients made some Temples square, some of six sides, others of many angles, they were especially delighted with making of them round, as representing thereby the Form or Figure ofCœlum,Heaven.Fourthly, in respect of theOrderwhereofStonehengbuilt. The severity of thisTuscanework, retaining in it a shew (as it were) of that first face ofAntiquity(asA. Palladioterms it)An. Pal. li. 1.being most agreeable to the nature of this their God, reputed the ancientest of all theirDeities, and Father ofSaturn. For, it was the custome of the Ancients (as in part I remembred before) to appropriate the severallOrdersofArchitecture, according to the particular qualifications of those they deified.Vitr. lib. 1. cap. 2.Minervæ, & Marti, & Herculi, ædes Doricæ fient: his enim diis propter virtutem, sine deliciis ædificia constitui decet. To Minerva, and Mars, and Hercules, Temples of the Dorick Order were made; for, to these Deities in respect of their valiant actions, itwas requisite to build without delicacy. Veneri, Floræ, Proserpinæ, Fontium Nymphis, Corinthio genere constitutæ, aptas videbuntur habere proprietates, quòd his diis propter teneritatem, graciliora & florida, foliísque & volutis ornata opera facta augere videbuntur justum decorem. To Venus, Flora, Proserpina, the Fountain Nymphs, the Corinthian Order was thought most proper: because unto these in regard of their tender natures, the work seemed to advance a just decorum, when made delicate and flourishing, and adorned with leaves and volutes. Junoni, Dianæ, Libero Patri cæterísque diis qui eadem sunt similitudine, si ædes Ionicæ construerentur, habita erat ratio mediocritatis, quod & ab severo more Doricorum, & à teneritate Corinthiorum, temperabitur earum institutio proprietatis. To Juno, Diana, Bacchus, and to the other Deities of the same quality, building Temples of the Ionick Order, they had regard unto the mean, that from the severe manner of the Dorick, and delicacy of the Corinthian, the condition of their indowments might be duly moderated, saithVitruvius. ToJupiter,Sol, andLuna, though they made Templessub divoopen to the air and without roofs like thisAntiquity; yet were they not built of severe and humble but most delicateOrders, and accordingly were adorned with costly ornaments, and beautified with various enrichments in severall sorts of sculpture, as by the ruines of them in divers parts ofItalyremaining to this day, evidently appears. Respecting therefore, thisDecorumused by theAncientsin building theirTemples, and that this workStonehengis principally composed of a most graveTuscanemanner, by just proportions of an agreeable form; it is in mine opinion, as I said before, most agreeable to the quality and condition of that ancientCœlus, whom Antiquity reputed the very stem whence all those Deities in the succeeding Ages proceeded. Cœlusex eadem conjuge (scilicet Tellure) procreavitOceanum, Cœlum, Hyperionem&c. &Apollod. lib. 1.novissimum omniumSaturnumsuscepit. Cœlus,by the same wife(to witTellus)hadOceanus, Cœlum, Hyperion&c. and last of all begatSaturn. To which purpose alsoLactantius, I findeUraniusby his wifeVestahadSaturnandOps: Saturnattaining the government, called his fatherUranius, Cœlus,and his motherTerra;that by this change of names,he might the more magnifie the splendor of his originall &c.Further, I conceive it will not be impertinent to our purpose in hand, to deliver what theAncientshave reported ofCœlus; and wherefore they ascribed divine Honours unto Him.According to thePoets,Cœluswas not that huge machine adorned with stars, whichOrpheussaith was composed for habitation of thePlanets, and otherDeities, and which we behold moving with continuall revolution: but a certain man so called, son toÆtherandDies, that, isdella virtù ardente, & della luce famosa, of transcendent influence and resplendent brightness, asBoccacehath it.Boccace lib. 3.By Historians, especiallyDiodorus Siculus,Diodor. lib. 4.it’s thus delivered.Scribunt primùm regnasse apud AtlantidesCœlum:Hominésque antea per agros dispersos, ad cœtum, condendásque urbes exhortatum, à fera eos agrestíque vita ad mitiorem cultum extitisse &c. They write, he which first reigned over theAtlantideswasCœlus,and that he invited men living dispersedly before throughout the fields, to convene, and dwell in companies together, exhorting them to build Towns, and reducing them from wild and savage to the conversation of civill life: Taught them also to sow corn and seeds, and divers other things belonging to the common use of mankind; Ruled likewise over a great part of the world from East to West; Was a diligent observer of the stars, and foretold men divers things to come: The year (before confus’d) bringing into Order, according to the course of the Sun, reducing it also into moneths after the Moons course, and appointing likewise the severall seasons of the year. Whereby many ignorant of the perpetuall course of the stars, and amazed at his future predictions, did verily believe he participated of Divine Nature, and therefore after his death, as well for benefits received from him, as great knowledge of the stars, they conferred on him immortall honours, and adored him as a God. And, as appears, calledCœlusin regard of his skill in the celestiall bodies, as also, for divers other causes eternall King of all the world. ThusDiodorus. It being an ordinary custome among the Heathens to deifie, and esteem for Gods, such excellent personages, as either had well ruled, or governed them, or done any notable thing amongthem to their especiall benefit, or good liking. Such, were they men, or women, remained with the name, reputation, and reverence ofGodsorGoddessesafter their deaths.Furthermore, according to thePhilosophers;Men(they knew not how) by nature soon wanting, and by instinct as soon seeking some God (in stead of apprehending better) deified thebestto sense. Whereupon, out of allEntitiesas most glorious to the eye, they first made choice ofHeaven, andHeavenlybodies; considering again, as the most beneficiall objects,Plut. Phil. opin. lib. 1.those living creatures, and fruits which theEarthbeneath brought forth, to make compleat generations, they coupledCœlustoTellus, adoringHeavenas Father, andEarthas Mother to these; the pouring down of showers fromHeavenseeming in stead of naturall seeds, and theEarthas a Mother to conceive, and bring forth the same.Fifthly, the Sacrifices in times of old offered toCœluswere Bulls or Oxen, their great GodJupiterhimself, as I find inRosinus, offering such Victimes unto him.Rosin. lib. 2. cap. 5.Ante pugnam, que cum Gigantibus inCretahabita est, Jovemsacrificasse dicuntSoli, Cœlo,acTerræbovem. Before the battell struck with the Giants inCrete,they sayJupitersacrificed an Oxe toSol, Cœlus,andTerra. Now that there hath oftentimes been digged out of the ground atStoneheng, the heads of such beasts, in all probability anciently in that place sacrificed; I need not again remember, being it is so well known.Sixthly, all the upright stones in thisAntiquityarePyramidalllike flames, in imitation of thoseÆtheriallfires, wherewith theHeavenis adorned.Pier. Valer. Hier. lib. 60.Now, thatFirehath the form of aPyramisis evident,percioche, essendo largo da basso, intorno alla materia & esca, da che si pasce, finisce in acuta fiammache riguardo al Cielo. Because, being large at the bottome, in respect of the matter and fewell, by which it is fed, it finishes in an acute flame tending upwards towards Heaven.And, that the Heavens are adorned with fires,Natalis Comesin his Mythology, out ofOrpheus, makes apparent.Nihil aliud esse Cœlum existimans, nisihunc æthera qui constat ex altissimis illis ignibus. Supposing the Heaven to be no other thing, but this Air which consisteth of those transcendent Fires.Lastly, thatStonehengwas anciently dedicated toCœlusI collect from theConformationof the work. For theconformationof theCellandPorticusin the Plant, was designed with four equilaterallTriangles, inscribed in aCircle, such as theAstrologersuse in describing the twelvecelestiallsigns in musicall proportions. According to that ofVitruvius;Vitr. lib. 5.In ea conformatione quatuor scribantur trigona paribus lateribus & intervallis, quæ extremam lineam circinationis tangant; In the conformation thereof let four triangles be inscribed of equall sides and intervals, which may touch the extreme part of the circumference: quibus etiam in duodecim signorum cœlestium descriptione, Astrologi ex musica convenientia astrorum ratiocinantur; by which figures also, Astrologers from the musicall harmony of the stars ground their reasonings, as concerning the description of the twelve celestiall signs. Besides theCellit self in the formation thereof, is cast into anExagon, one of the three figures, likewise used byAstrologersin their aforesaid arguments of thesympathyof the stars.Figuris tribus(saithPhilander)utuntur Astrologi, Trigono, Tetragono & Hexagono. The Astrologers make use of three sorts of figures; the Triangle, Tetragon, and Hexagon.Furthermore, the three entrances leading into the Temple from the Plain, were comparted by an equilateralltriangle; which was the figure whereby the Ancients expressed what appertained toHeaven, and divine mysteries also.Pier. Valer.Hier. lib. 39.Aggiungono i Magi(saithPierius Valerianus)che un triangolo semplice di lati uguali, è indizio di divinità, overo effigie di cose celesti. TheMagiadde that a triangle of equall sides is a symbole of Divinity, or sign of celestiall matters. Now thisAntiquityconsisting of severall stones, orderly disposed into one entire work, in imitation, as it were, of those severall stars which appearing to us in the Heavens in form of a circle, are called thecelestiall Crown; and wholly designed by thoseScheamswherewithAstrologersuse to describecelestiallbodies, which figures, usually applied by them to particular accidents onely, being all joyntlymade use of by theArchitectfor conformation of this sacred structure, it is not improbableStonehengwas so composed, because dedicated toCœlum. Yea further, (if lawfull to compare an idolatrous place with so divine a work) was not theTempleatHierusalemadorned with the figures ofCherubims; that thereby the Nations of the Earth might know it was the habitation of the living God? and, why not in like manner thisTemplecomposed byAstrologicallfigures, that after Ages might apprehend, it was anciently consecrated toCœlusorCœlumHeaven?But in this conjuncture; concerning such kinde ofTemplesas this atStoneheng, what saith the learnedPatriarchofAquileia?Dan. Barba. in lib. 4.Vitr. cap. 7. in Ven. 1584.Io credo, che quel Tempio senza parete significava alcune cose del Cielo, gli effetti delle quali sono nelle scoperto. I beleeve that Temple without walls(speaking of theMonopterosaforesaid)had a relation toCœlum (Heaven)because the effects thereof are openly displaied to the full view of all men.Camdentels us he had heard, that in the time of KingHenrythe eighth, a table of metall was found, not far from thisAntiquity, engraven with divers strange characters, which being not legible, was neglected and lost: had, indeed, that Table been found within the work it self it might happily have brought to light somwhat in relation toStoneheng. And by all likelihood, in time some inscriptions may therein be found, it being the custome as well ofGreeksasRomans, in times of greatestAntiquity, to lay inscriptions (usually) under the first stones set in what works soever; especially, those of any great magnificence. Wherefore, I advise mine honoured FriendLaurence WashingtonEsquire in whose demeasnes thisAntiquitystands, to whom I am much obliged, for his friendly notice of what things have been there of late years digged up, that he would be solicitous upon any search made there, to enquire after them, and if any found not to neglect, or curiously conceal them, but preserve and willingly produce the same.I suppose, I have now proved from Authentick Authors, and the rules of Art,Stonehenganciently aTemple, dedicatedtoCœlus, built by theRomans; either in, or not long after those times (by all likelihood) when theRomanEagles spreading their commanding wings over thisIsland, the more to civilize the Natives, introduc’d theArtof Building amongst them, discovering their ambitious desire, by stupendious and prodigious works, to eternize the memory of their high minds to succeeding Ages. For, the magnificence of that statelyEmpire, is at this day clearly visible in nothing more, then in the ruines of theirTemples,Palaces,Arch’s Triumphals,Aquæducts,Thermæ,Theaters,Amphitheaters,Cirques, and other secular, and sacred structures.History affords onlyContemplation, whereby their great Actions are made conceivable alone to reasoning: but the ruines of their buildingsDemonstration, which obvious to sense, are even yet as so many eye-witnesses of their admir’d atchievements.

The Plant of theMonopteros.

TheOrderofPillarswhich continued round about it, to which the outward circle (of Pillasters) in thisAntiquity Stoneheng, directly corresponds, as will appear in the second Figure thereof, formerly described by the LetterI.

TheDesignfollows.

The Plant of thePeripteros.

ThePorticocontinuing about theCell.

The CircularCellenclosed with a wall, which in theTemple Stoneheng, to vary the invention, was converted into anHexagonallform, and in stead of walling it round about, theArchitectas said before, left it wholly open, as most agreeing with the nature of theDeityto whom consecrate.

The Design follows.

By the Plants of which saidRoman Temples, although it is plainly manifest, from whence the invention ofStonehengwas taken: yet, that it may more clearly be understood, I have, unto theOrderof pillars which makes thePorticoof the last of thoseTemples, applied theArchitectonicall Scheamby which ourAntiquitywas formed; whereby the intersection of the severall triangles fully demonstrates after what manner the greaterHexagonmade open atStoneheng, was raised from the solid wall environing theCellof thePeripteros.

The Rank ofPillarswhich made thePorticoof thePeripteros.

TheArchitectonicall Scheamby whichStonehengformed.

The circular wall environing theCellof thePeripteros.

After what manner the stones of the greaterHexagonatStoneheng, were raised from the circumference of the said wall.

The Design follows.

But, before deliver my judgment, unto which of theirDeitiesthisTemple Stonehengwas anciently dedicated by theRomans, I shall give you some customs in force amongst theAncients, relating theDecorumused by them, in building their particularTemples: whereby, those several opinions seemingly conclusive to whomStonehengsacred, may more evidently appear invalid, and my own more apparently probable. Those therefore that endevour the searching outAntiquitiesofArchitecture, must amongst others, especially prescribe to themselves five things to be guided by.viz.The Situation,Aspect,Manner,Form, andOrderof the work as in use amongst theAncients. For, inventing the severall ornaments ofArchitecture, at first for honour and distinction onely of theirDeities, they appropriated to each of them particularsituations, preciseforms, peculiarOrders, according to the severall qualities, in regard whereof adored by them.

Thesituationof theTemplestoVenus,Mars,Vulcan, they ordained to be chosen without their Cities, as those which moved mens minds to lasciviousnesse, wars, and devastations. Within their Cities they placed theTemplesof the Patrons ofChastity,Peace, goodArts: and of such Gods also, to whom the Protection of their Cities committed. ToPallas,Mercury, andIsisthe chief Presidents of Artificers, and Merchants, they builtTemplesnear the Market places, or upon the Market places themselves. ToApolloandBacchusnear theTheater. ToHerculesnear the Cirque orAmphitheater. UntoÆsculapiusandSalus, in places most of all others healthfull, and near to pure streams, and waters; because the infirm people, coming out of a pestilent and contagiousAire, to that which was good and healthfull, by drinking those waters might the sooner, and with lesse difficulty be recovered, whereby zeal to those supposedDeitiesencreased.

TheAspect Hypæthros, mentioned before, of whichStonehengappears built, was proper only to some of their Gods, as shall be remembred in due time: the otherfive(needlesse here to name) were indifferently disposed, sometimeto one, and sometime to anotherDeity, as the magnificence of theTemplesto be built required, and, as to be made withPortico’sor without.

TheManner, whichVitruviusdistinguishes into five kinds, according as the intercolumnes are of five severall proportions, was only so far forth peculiarly appropriated to theirDeities, as it was agreeable to the properOrder, otherwise they followed the greatnesse of the Work.

But, to each of them appropriating particular forms ofTemples; to some of their Gods, they made them of a round form, to others quadrangular, to others of many angles: some of them having theirTemplescovered, with roofs over them; others again built uncovered, without any manner of roofs at all: As, ourAntiquity Stoneheng.

Lastly, theOrderof which they built them, was so diligently observed, according to the peculiar qualities of theirDeities, that seldom or never they varied: as in fit place I shall remember. These aforesaid rules also were so firmly observed by theAncients, that even at first sight theRoman Architectsof old were able to judge, to whatDeity, this, or thatTemplesacred: and the modernItalian Architects, by the ruines of them at this day, give such notable testimonies towards the discovery of them, as are very hardly to be contradicted. Whosoever desires more of this, may readVitruvius,Leo Baptista Albertus, and other Authors writing ofArchitecture. That then we may arrive to a degree of certainty unto whom ourStonehenganciently dedicated; some suchDeitieof theRomansis to be found out, in whose honour they builtTemples, not only in suchsituationsas this atStoneheng; but with whole nature or quality theFormandAspectthereof may be agreeable also; and theOrder proper. For, whosoever goes about to enforce other reasons, do as I conceive but beat the air, neither can they reduce thisAntiquityto any probable Originall.

To which of theRomanDeitiesStonehengconsecrated, are, as I said before, severall opinions. Some presume it sacred toDiana, but upon what ground their conjecture is raised,considering both theAspectandMannerof thisTempleutterly different from those theAncientsused to dedicate to Her, I cannot conceive;Vitr. lib. 3. cap. 1 & 2.for, theMannerof theTempleserected toDiana, wasDiastylos, i.e.columnis ampliùs patentibus, made with large and void spaces: theAspectof that atEphesuswasDipteros; that atMagnesia Pseudodipteros: whichManner Hermogenesinventing to save expence and labour, though he left out theOrderof pillars within, and thereby thePorticocame to be more large, yet theAspectcontinued still the same. And, as in theAspectandManner, so likewise in theOrderandFormit’s different: that, atEphesusaforesaid being of theIonick Order, theOrderpeculiarly appropriated toDiana, and quadrangular: of the sameFormalso, was that atMagnesiaaforesaid, and so likewise theRomansbuilt them, as by the now Church of S.JohnEvangelist at theLatian, orLatinePort, anciently the Temple ofDiana; and that in MountAventinealso,Fab. Cal.the chief of herTemplesinRome, fully appears. Thesituationof the Temples dedicated to her, was in groves, whenceVitruviuscalsVitr. lib. 4. cap. 7.her grovyDiana.

Ecce suburbanæ templum nemorale Dianæ, saithOvid.See whereDiana’sgrovy Temple stands.

Ecce suburbanæ templum nemorale Dianæ, saithOvid.

See whereDiana’sgrovy Temple stands.

In which sortVirgil,Pliny, and other Authors also tell us her Temples were always sited. TheArchitecturetherefore of the Temples toDiana, and this atStonehengbeing so far different, there is no probable reasonStonehengshould be suppos’d dedicated to her.

Moreover, whether or no this opinion maybe consistent with any of those qualities, the Ancients endowed this Goddesse with, let us examine further the Nature of the Deity it self. IsStonehengNat. Com. lib. 3. cap. 18.consecrated toDianabecause she presided over ways? what publick roads then, or common high-ways are to be read of, which anciently led over the Downs near thisAntiquity? The most ancient ways we meet with, and which theRomansfirst made in thisIsland, asCamdenCamden fo. 64.sets them down, are four,Watling-street,Ikemild-street,Ermin-street, and theFosse.Watling-streetled throughVerolamiumdirectly as it were by a streight line to the West side ofLeicestershire,Camden fo. 517.and from thence through the Northerly Counties intoWales.Ikemild-streetbegan in the Countrey of theIceni, tending Eastward.Ermin-streetin the same quarter, running throughCambridgeshire,Huntingdonshire, and so on towardsLincolnshireled the right way into the Northern Countreys on that side: (this street-way, happly, may be that which among the inhabitants passeth now by the name ofHigh Dike.) TheFossepassing throughWarwickshire,Ibid. fo. 366.came down toStowon theWould, thence toCirncester, fromCirncestercontinuing on towardsBathand beyond it toSomertoninto the Western Provinces: the ridge whereof is yet to be seen in divers places of that tract. All of them lying so far fromStonehengthat none of them are remembred to come nearer thenCirncesterto any part of the Plains whereon it stands, and therefore in this respect there can be no cause to imagine thisAntiquityshould be dedicated to her. Or, isStonehengsacred toDiana, because she was the Patronesse of Gates? for which reason the Ancients built her Temples, either near to them within their Cities, or not far from them in the pleasant suburbs. But what Cities, or places having any such Gates, were ever found anciently so nearStoneheng, as might cause the dedication of so great a work to her? surely none. Or, isStonehenghallowed toDianabecause she had the tutelage of Mountains? if so, then where are those Mountains to be found near thisAntiquityonSalisburyPlains? which Plains, North, South, East and Westward through the midst ofWiltshireare so open, that they terminate the Horizon. If any such Mountains there, why do all Historians call them Plains? But admit Mountains somtimes onSalisburyPlain, what then became of them? were they removed by Earthquakes, swallowed into the ground by anHiatusof the earth, or levell’d by inundations? then let it be made apparent when such like accidents fell out. Or isStonehengdedicated toDiana, because she delighted to bath her self in fountains andfresh springs? where are those fountains and fresh springs to be found? haply, in the utmost borders they may be had, none certainly in the body of the Plains, or any thing nearStoneheng: spring veins being not there to be found, unlesse by sinking wells or pits very deep, which the inhabitants are enforced to make in severall places for watering their sheep, and as glad they are there, as the Patriarchs of old in the deserts ofCanaanto come by them. Or isStonehengsacred toDiana, because reputed Goddesse of hunting? then, who ever desirous of a Temple for her, may finde it inDaphne, the anciently famous suburbs ofAntiochia, where was not onely a Temple dedicated to her,Strab. li. 16.but anAsylumalso, asStrabowitnesseth: such places only being held proper for her mysteries, where interven’d variety of pleasures, goodly shadowy groves, delicate walks, and pleasant springs of most cool and fresh waters. In the midst of these delights the Ancients sited her Temples, not in wilde Downs, or vast Plains, so wide and open that hardly see from one side of them to another, affording neither shelter for travellers against canicular heats, nor succour for cattell against the boisterous blasts of blusteringBoreas. Lastly, isStonehengdedicated toDiana, because the supposed guardian of woods? then remains it to be made apparent by them, those Plains in ancient times bore another countenance then at present. That they were full of Forrests, woods and groves, with variety of lawns, replenished and stored with such sorts of game, and wilde beasts in chase whereofDianaand her companions are said to recreate themselves: from whence some are of opinion she was calledDiana, as much to sayRosin. lib. 2. cap. 7.Deviana, quoniam venantes per devia & silvas deviare solent, captantes feras. Because of huntsmens deviating, or wandring out of the way, through uncouth paths and woods in pursuit of their game.That those Plains afforded as much pleasure and delights as theThessalian Tempe, theSyrian Daphne, or what place else as famous where herTemplesanciently stood: and, in what unknown age they were disafforrested and laid wast. Which, if ever so, certainly some signs thereof would remain, or at least be found there, as well as in other parts of the Island, in times past overgrown with woods. As inAngleseyformerly mentioned; inCheshire, where, in digging their marlepits are often found huge trees, demonstrating to posterity the forrests there anciently growing; in the Isle ofAxholminLincolnshire, where the inhabitants have hardly any fewell, but what such trees afford so digged out of the earth; inSomersetshire, where I my self have seen trunks of trees lying under ground, and expressing the places in times past overgrown with trees, very few or none being in those places now standing. Besides, some remembrance of the aforesaid forrests and woods History questionlesse would yeeld; now what occasion soever Historians take for mentioning this tract, not one word is delivered by them to that purpose, all unanimously consenting ’twas never other then at present an open and champion Countrey. A Theater on whichBellonaoften displayed her bloody ensigns, and acted severall tragedies in times of old: A field ofMars, whereRomans,Saxonsand afterDanesfor obtaining the dominion of this Island decided their ambitious controversies. Of which actions we have visible testimony unto this day, witnesse those burrows, and places where they cast the bodies of their slain, over all quarters of the plain dispersed, which in long time are so shrowded by nature with ever growing grasse, that their memory will remain by their sepulchres to all posterity; that which consumes all works of Art, making them still more fresh and flourishing: witnesse spoils of war there frequently digged up, as formerly remembred: severall encamping places of those severall Nations in all parts of the plain even yet appearing, no place in the whole Island, respecting the circuit, having more remains of them: Also that huge Trench, mentioned before by the name ofWansdike, running through the very bowels of them, such manner of trenches appearing no where in any part ofEnglandbeside, saving where the like plains interveen; so atNewmarket Heaththe like trench vulgarly calledDevils Dike, as ifmade by Devils not by men, isto be seen; though in ancient times it was the limits of the Kingdome of the EastAngles,Camden fo. 490.and it took end, asCamdenvery well observes,where the passages by reason of woods grew cumbersome: Which, if the like be granted forWansdike(as is very probable, it ending also with the Plains) then without controversie there were no more woods in times of old onSalisburyPlains then at this day; it running overthwart them, as in a direct line from East to West. And who knows not, that other manner of fortifications then running trenches upon direct lines are to be cast up for defence of woody situations? But why urge more Authorities, when the Inhabitants of the Countrey tell us, the soil or ground being hot, dry, and chalky is altogether improper for the growth of trees. Thus then the situation of the place, so antipathizing in all respects with the nature and qualities anciently attributed toDiana, and theManner,Form, andOrderof thisAntiquity, so contrary to the custome used by theAncientsin erecting her Temples, no reason wherefore thisTemple Stonehengshould be conceiv’d as erected for celebration of the superstitious ceremonies anciently ascribed unto herWorship.

Some, again, would haveStonehengconsecrated toPan; becausePanaGreekword signifying theUniverse, under him the whole frame ofNaturewas adored. And therefore, theAncientsmade his statues with horns, saithServius, expressing thereby the beams of theSun, and horns of theMoon; those issuing from his forehead, and turning upwards towardsHeaven, asBoccacewill have it, signified the Celestiall bodies: feigning also, as the world moves with extraordinary swiftnesse, he excelled likewise in speed of running. By the purple, ruddy, and enflamed face, attributed toPan, that pure fire, above all otherElementsholding his place in the confines of the Celestiall Sphears was demonstrated: by his large long beard descending down upon his breast, the two superiour ElementsAireandFireof a masculine nature, sending down their impressions upon the other two naturally feminine was shewed: by the spotted skin covering his breast and shoulders, the eighth sphear wholly embelished with glorious stars; inveloping in like manner all appertaining to the nature of sublunary creatures was represented: by the sheep-hook which he held in one hand, Natures dominion over all things (according toBoccace) was signified: and asServiussaith, because this staffe, or rod was crooked, the year revolving into it self, was thereby expressed: in the other hand holding a Pipe, consisting of seven reeds, whereby, the Celestiall harmony conceived by some to have seven sounds, and seven different tunes, according to the number of thePlanets, and theirSphearswhich are seven, was so set forth.

After this mannerMythologistsdiscourse ofPan, with various opinions, according to the subtile niceties of their severall fancies: and in these respects as having relation to theHeavens, thisAntiquity Stonehengis imagined sacred toHim. ’Tis true, ifMythologie, and not demonstrative reasons were to be fixt upon in matters ofArchitecture, the former conceptions might be some ground to frame conjecturesStonehengsacred toPan. But,Architecturedepending upon demonstration, not fancy, the fictions ofMythologistsare no further to be embraced, then as not impertinently conducing to prove reall truths. Wherefore, the aforesaid ancient rules for buildingTemplesconsidered, and comparing theOrder,Form,AspectandSituationof theTemplestoPan, with the like in thisAntiquity, so much contrariety is found betwixt them, as may convince any reasonable judgementStonehengnot dedicated toHim.

Pan pastorum, venatorum, & universæ vitæ rusticanæ præsidem crediderunt Antiqui, saithNat. Com. lib. 5.Natalis Comes.Panwas the reputedGodamongst theAncients, of Shepherds, Huntsmen, and all those that led an agrestick life. The same Author also calling himPiscatorum Deum, theGod of Fishermenas well asShepherds.Arcadibus Deorum antiquissimus & honoratissimus est Pan, saithDionysius.Dion. Hali. lib. 1.Rosin. lib. 2.Pan is the most ancient, and most honoured Deity of the Arcadians.And inArcadiaitself where he was principally adored, they built hisTemplesfor the most part in Townsof the sameFormandOrderas toJuno: In theTown of Heræa,habet Pan templum suum(saithPausaniasPausan. fo. 496.in his description ofArcadia)quod olimJunonidicatum fuit, Panhad his Temple which anciently was dedicated toJuno. Now, theOrder appropriatedtoJunoby theRomans, was theIonick, as is manifest fromVitruvius, who tels us,To Juno, Diana, and Bacchus, and to the otherDeitiesVitr. lib. 1. cap. 2.of the same quality,they built Temples of the Ionick Order. TheFormin like manner of her sacred structures was quadrangular, as in MountAventine, inforo Olitorio(or the herb Market) in MountQuirinal, and elswhere amongst theRomanstheAlexan.Don.Pomp. Totti.ruinesof herTemplesdo evidently witnesse: as also, herTemplesanciently atArgos, and amongst theEliansinGreece, built of the likeForm, and of theDorick Order. But thisAntiquityPausan. fo. 114. & 317.is of the severeTuscanework, and of a round figure. TheTemplestoPanhad aPorticoonely infront, atStonehengit continues round about theCell. TheTemplestoPanwere not exposed to the openAire, and built uncovered asStonehengwas, but had roofs upon them. For,Ignis ei perpetuus ardebat, thereinthey kept perpetuall fire,Ibid. fo. 516.as atAcacesiumaTownalso ofArcadians; allTempleswherein they kept such fires being covered, as theTempletoApolloatDelphosamongst theGreeks, and toVestaatRomeamongst theRomans. But, if at any time they did erect them distant from aTown, reserving always theFormandOrder, they chose such situations as wholly environed with trees; for example, theTempletoPanin MountLycæus, was compassed in with a thick wood,condenso circumseptum luco, asPausaniashath it: so likewise, thatTemplesacred toHimin theParthenianForrest, according to the said Author. Now, thisTemple Stonehengis sited in an open champion Countrey, where scarce a bush or tree, much lesse thick woods, or forrests to be seen throughout the whole Plain; nor was there ever any in times of old as History remembers, and the nature of the soil, as I am informed, is no wise prosperous for their growing there, as is sufficiently before declared.

ButPan(say they) being the God ofShepherds, why might notStonehengto gratifie them be erected, and consequentlyby theRomansdedicated to their GodPan? no place in the whole Island more abounding with sheep, then the circumadjacent Plains; the almost innumerable flocks whereof, not only most plentifully satisfying the bordering inhabitants for food; but, from their delicate fleeces, a great part of the known universe are clad also. I answer, amongst theRomans(declared at large before to beFoundersofStoneheng) I do not finde any oneTemple,Holy House,Sanctuary,Grove,Altar, or any such like sacred structure consecrated toPanin their own Country; much lesse anyTemplededicated unto Him by them inBritain: and therefore, utterly improbable thisTemple Stonehengshould be erected by theRomansuntoPan.

There was aTempleindeed,Dion. Hal. lib. 1.Rosin. lib. 2. cap. 20.built toPan Lycæuson MountPalatine, by thoseArcadianswhich accompaniedEvanderintoItaly; in which, though theRomansin succeeding times performed the same rites, as theArcadiansanciently had instituted; yet,Hepassed with theRomansunder the name ofLupercus,Justin. lib. 43.and in honour ofHim, as some Authors of opinion, certain festivals or games calledLupercalia, atRomeonely, not in Provinces conquered by them, were solemnized by theRomans; Noblemens sons running in those games,Plutarch. in Rom.Rosin. lib. 3. cap. 2.according to the primitive institution setting forth and beginning their course at MountPalatine, and so round about the City to the same place again. I may not omit, neverthelesse, that severall Authors deliver theLupercaliawere instituted in thankfulnesse toLupa, or the wolf that gaveRomulussuck, and the course of those games beginning at MountPalatine(not so much in remembrance it seems ofPansTemple there, as) from theLupercalorthe very place they say wherePlut. in Rom.Romuluswas cast out.

DionysiusofHalicarnassustels usDion. lib. 1.theArcadiansbuilt the aforesaidTempletoPan,idoneo invento loco &c.when they had found out aconvenient placefor it adjoyning to their habitations: the condition or nature of which place is not unworthy your observation; for by his description thereofwe shall easily perceive what manner of situation was by theArcadianShepherds held proper for performing the ceremonies of their GodPan. His words are,Erat tum, ut fertur, spelunca sub tumulo magna, denso querceto contecta, & sub petris profundi fonticuli, solúmque rupibus contiguum nemorosum, & frequentibus ac proceris opacum arboribus: ibi ara deo extructa, more patrio sacra fecerunt. Under the Hill(to wit, MountPalatine)was anciently, as report goes(saith he)a great cave or den, covered over by a thick grove, deep wells or riverets running amongst the stones of the cave, and round about it a wood, by the many and tall trees growing therein very dark and obscure: there the Altar of the God was placed, and his Sacrifices after their Country manner performed. Now isStonehengthus sited, or was there ever any such like place near thisAntiquity? of all the places inEnglandthat I know, none comes nearer that cave, thenOchy-holeinSomersetshire: And if the Ancients held such dismall situations only proper forPans Temples, then without peradventureStonehengwas never erected in honour of him, they being no innovators in their superstitions.

A further observation may be made to our purpose, upon the aforesaid description,Erat tum antrum magnum, it was anciently(saithDionysius)Dion. lib. 1.a great cave. But in his own time, which was underAugustus, theRomanshad so choked up the place with building, that the manner howPans Templein old time stood, was hardly to be discovered:nunc quidem ædificiis(saith he)fanum circumquaque sepientibus, difficilis conjectura est qualis olim loci natura fuerit. At this present, verily, the Temple being every way environed with buildings, it is hardly to be conjectured in what manner of place it anciently stood. This was the cause which enforced him to deliver to posterity the former description meerly upon report. Certainly then, theRomansemploying the place to profaner uses,PansDeity was little esteemed by them; otherwise, they would never have polluted it, by setting up private houses upon the place consecrated to him. Now theRomansslighting him after this manner at home, little reason appears so magnificent a structure asStoneheng, should beerected by them for adoration ofPanin other Countreys.

Furthermore, the Sacrifices in times of old offered toPanwere milk and honey, offered up in simple Shepherds crocks or earthen pitchers:quare non ritè sacrificabant, qui tauros illi immolabant, aut qui in aureis poculis lac aut vinum offerebant &c.Nat. Com. lib. 5.Wherefore, they sacrificed not aright, saithNatalis Comes, who immolated Buls or Oxen unto him, or out of golden cups poured forth milk or wine upon his Altars; for goblets of that metall were proper onely for the supernall and celestiallDeities, not to terrestriall, and such as had care of Heardsmen or Shepherd Swains. To which purpose also, the same Author out ofApollonius SmyrnæusremembersPan, thus speaking of himself.

Sum Deus agrestis, cur his sunt aurea sacrisPocula? quo vinum funditis Italicum?Ad petram cur stat taurus cervice ligatus?Parcite: non hæc est victima grata mihi.Pan montanus ego sum, ligneus, ipsáque vestisPellicea est: mustum è fictilibúsque bibo.

Sum Deus agrestis, cur his sunt aurea sacris

Pocula? quo vinum funditis Italicum?

Ad petram cur stat taurus cervice ligatus?

Parcite: non hæc est victima grata mihi.

Pan montanus ego sum, ligneus, ipsáque vestis

Pellicea est: mustum è fictilibúsque bibo.

In English thus:

A rurall God am I, in golden cupThe Falern wine, why then d’yee offer up?Why at mine Altar, stands the stern Bull bound,Or Oxe that’s fat, with laurell girland crown’d?Spare ye such cost: no gratefull victimes theseAre unto me, others lesse costly please.A Mountaineer, a wood-man clad in skinAm I: your wine in earthen vessels bring.

A rurall God am I, in golden cup

The Falern wine, why then d’yee offer up?

Why at mine Altar, stands the stern Bull bound,

Or Oxe that’s fat, with laurell girland crown’d?

Spare ye such cost: no gratefull victimes these

Are unto me, others lesse costly please.

A Mountaineer, a wood-man clad in skin

Am I: your wine in earthen vessels bring.

But the Sacrifices anciently offered atStoneheng(already remembred) wereBulsorOxen, and severall sorts of beasts, as appears by the heads of divers kinds of them, not many years since there digged up.

As for that of thePantheon, it is very well known theAncientsso called it, not in any relation toPan, but because it was sacred toJovetheRevenger, and according to others toCibele, and all Gods. For which reason,Bonifacethe fourth obtained licence from the EmperourPhocas,Platin. in Bon.to consecrate it to theVirgin Mary, and all Saints. And who knows not theArchitecturethereof wholly different from this ofStoneheng? ThePantheonhath itsCellenclosed with a continued solid wall, and thePorticoonly in front, of the delicateCorinthian Order; of whichOrderthe inner part consisted likewise, being vaulted in most admirable and magnificent manner. From whenceDion. lib. 53.Dion Cassiusdelivers his opinion,inde id nominis habere, quod forma convexa fastigiatum, cœli similitudinem ostenderet, it to be called thePantheon,because by the form of that vault wherewith covered, it represented the concave of Heaven, or (as others will) the figure of the world; for the world being mans house, the firmament is as the vaulted roof thereof. At the crown of the vault it had an opening, by which only it received light and air. But, thisAntiquity Stonehengbuilt of a grave and humbleOrder(as is said before) had a doublePorticocontinuing round about it, the Cell thereof free and open, and every way exposed to the air, received light from all parts.

Wherefore leaving these,Stonehengwas dedicated, as I conceive, to the GodCœlus, by some Authors calledCœlum, by othersUranus, from whom the Ancients imagined all things took their beginning. My reasons are, First, in respect of thesituationthereof; for it stands in a Plain, remote from anyTownorVillage, in a free and open air, without any groves or woods about it.

Secondly, in regard of theAspect; forStonehengwas never covered, but built without a roof. WhichDecorumtheRomansever observed, both in theSituationandAspectof theTemplesdedicated to this their God, and toJovetheLightner, theSun, and theMoon.Vitr. li. 1. cap. 2.Jovi fulguratori, & Cœlo, & Soli, & Lunæ, ædificia sub divo Hypæthráque constituuntur. ToJovethe Lightner, and to Cœlus, and to the Sun, and to the Moon, they erected buildings in the open air and uncovered, saithVitruviusin the second Chapter of his first Book. Take with you also his reason.Horum enim Deorum & species & effectus in aperto mundo atque lucentipræsentes videmus, because both the forms and effects of these Deities, we behold present before our eyes, in a clear and open view.Another reason I find also why they built their Temples toCœlus,Godw. Antiq. l. 1. cap. 20.and those other Deities uncovered asStoneheng: because they counted it an hainous matter to see those Gods confined under a roof, whose doing good consisted in being abroad.

Thirdly, in regard of theFormofStoneheng, which iscircular.Pier. Valer.Hier. lib. 39.This figure was proper to theTemplesofCœlusandTellus, whom the Ancients calledVesta, asValerianus(in hisHieroglyphicks) affirms.Non solamente la palla, ma una simplice piegatura di ruota, appresso gli Egizziani demostrava il Cielo. Not only(saith he)the circular form, but the meer segment of a circle amongst the Egyptians was an Hieroglyphick of Cœlus. And to this purpose also,Leo Baptista Albertususeth these words.Leo Bapt.Alb. lib. 7.Ædem Vestæ, quam esse terram putarent, rotundam ad pilæ similitudinem, faciebant. Unto Vesta, whom they reputed to be the Earth, they built Temples of a round form globelike. Besides, observe whatPhilandercommenting onVitruviustels us.Philand. in 4. lib. Vitr. cap. 7.Templorum quanquam alia fiant quadrata, alia multorum angulorum, Cœli naturam imitati veteres, imprimis rotundis sunt delectati: Although(saith he)the Ancients made some Temples square, some of six sides, others of many angles, they were especially delighted with making of them round, as representing thereby the Form or Figure ofCœlum,Heaven.

Fourthly, in respect of theOrderwhereofStonehengbuilt. The severity of thisTuscanework, retaining in it a shew (as it were) of that first face ofAntiquity(asA. Palladioterms it)An. Pal. li. 1.being most agreeable to the nature of this their God, reputed the ancientest of all theirDeities, and Father ofSaturn. For, it was the custome of the Ancients (as in part I remembred before) to appropriate the severallOrdersofArchitecture, according to the particular qualifications of those they deified.Vitr. lib. 1. cap. 2.Minervæ, & Marti, & Herculi, ædes Doricæ fient: his enim diis propter virtutem, sine deliciis ædificia constitui decet. To Minerva, and Mars, and Hercules, Temples of the Dorick Order were made; for, to these Deities in respect of their valiant actions, itwas requisite to build without delicacy. Veneri, Floræ, Proserpinæ, Fontium Nymphis, Corinthio genere constitutæ, aptas videbuntur habere proprietates, quòd his diis propter teneritatem, graciliora & florida, foliísque & volutis ornata opera facta augere videbuntur justum decorem. To Venus, Flora, Proserpina, the Fountain Nymphs, the Corinthian Order was thought most proper: because unto these in regard of their tender natures, the work seemed to advance a just decorum, when made delicate and flourishing, and adorned with leaves and volutes. Junoni, Dianæ, Libero Patri cæterísque diis qui eadem sunt similitudine, si ædes Ionicæ construerentur, habita erat ratio mediocritatis, quod & ab severo more Doricorum, & à teneritate Corinthiorum, temperabitur earum institutio proprietatis. To Juno, Diana, Bacchus, and to the other Deities of the same quality, building Temples of the Ionick Order, they had regard unto the mean, that from the severe manner of the Dorick, and delicacy of the Corinthian, the condition of their indowments might be duly moderated, saithVitruvius. ToJupiter,Sol, andLuna, though they made Templessub divoopen to the air and without roofs like thisAntiquity; yet were they not built of severe and humble but most delicateOrders, and accordingly were adorned with costly ornaments, and beautified with various enrichments in severall sorts of sculpture, as by the ruines of them in divers parts ofItalyremaining to this day, evidently appears. Respecting therefore, thisDecorumused by theAncientsin building theirTemples, and that this workStonehengis principally composed of a most graveTuscanemanner, by just proportions of an agreeable form; it is in mine opinion, as I said before, most agreeable to the quality and condition of that ancientCœlus, whom Antiquity reputed the very stem whence all those Deities in the succeeding Ages proceeded. Cœlusex eadem conjuge (scilicet Tellure) procreavitOceanum, Cœlum, Hyperionem&c. &Apollod. lib. 1.novissimum omniumSaturnumsuscepit. Cœlus,by the same wife(to witTellus)hadOceanus, Cœlum, Hyperion&c. and last of all begatSaturn. To which purpose alsoLactantius, I findeUraniusby his wifeVestahadSaturnandOps: Saturnattaining the government, called his fatherUranius, Cœlus,and his motherTerra;that by this change of names,he might the more magnifie the splendor of his originall &c.Further, I conceive it will not be impertinent to our purpose in hand, to deliver what theAncientshave reported ofCœlus; and wherefore they ascribed divine Honours unto Him.

According to thePoets,Cœluswas not that huge machine adorned with stars, whichOrpheussaith was composed for habitation of thePlanets, and otherDeities, and which we behold moving with continuall revolution: but a certain man so called, son toÆtherandDies, that, isdella virtù ardente, & della luce famosa, of transcendent influence and resplendent brightness, asBoccacehath it.Boccace lib. 3.

By Historians, especiallyDiodorus Siculus,Diodor. lib. 4.it’s thus delivered.Scribunt primùm regnasse apud AtlantidesCœlum:Hominésque antea per agros dispersos, ad cœtum, condendásque urbes exhortatum, à fera eos agrestíque vita ad mitiorem cultum extitisse &c. They write, he which first reigned over theAtlantideswasCœlus,and that he invited men living dispersedly before throughout the fields, to convene, and dwell in companies together, exhorting them to build Towns, and reducing them from wild and savage to the conversation of civill life: Taught them also to sow corn and seeds, and divers other things belonging to the common use of mankind; Ruled likewise over a great part of the world from East to West; Was a diligent observer of the stars, and foretold men divers things to come: The year (before confus’d) bringing into Order, according to the course of the Sun, reducing it also into moneths after the Moons course, and appointing likewise the severall seasons of the year. Whereby many ignorant of the perpetuall course of the stars, and amazed at his future predictions, did verily believe he participated of Divine Nature, and therefore after his death, as well for benefits received from him, as great knowledge of the stars, they conferred on him immortall honours, and adored him as a God. And, as appears, calledCœlusin regard of his skill in the celestiall bodies, as also, for divers other causes eternall King of all the world. ThusDiodorus. It being an ordinary custome among the Heathens to deifie, and esteem for Gods, such excellent personages, as either had well ruled, or governed them, or done any notable thing amongthem to their especiall benefit, or good liking. Such, were they men, or women, remained with the name, reputation, and reverence ofGodsorGoddessesafter their deaths.

Furthermore, according to thePhilosophers;Men(they knew not how) by nature soon wanting, and by instinct as soon seeking some God (in stead of apprehending better) deified thebestto sense. Whereupon, out of allEntitiesas most glorious to the eye, they first made choice ofHeaven, andHeavenlybodies; considering again, as the most beneficiall objects,Plut. Phil. opin. lib. 1.those living creatures, and fruits which theEarthbeneath brought forth, to make compleat generations, they coupledCœlustoTellus, adoringHeavenas Father, andEarthas Mother to these; the pouring down of showers fromHeavenseeming in stead of naturall seeds, and theEarthas a Mother to conceive, and bring forth the same.

Fifthly, the Sacrifices in times of old offered toCœluswere Bulls or Oxen, their great GodJupiterhimself, as I find inRosinus, offering such Victimes unto him.Rosin. lib. 2. cap. 5.Ante pugnam, que cum Gigantibus inCretahabita est, Jovemsacrificasse dicuntSoli, Cœlo,acTerræbovem. Before the battell struck with the Giants inCrete,they sayJupitersacrificed an Oxe toSol, Cœlus,andTerra. Now that there hath oftentimes been digged out of the ground atStoneheng, the heads of such beasts, in all probability anciently in that place sacrificed; I need not again remember, being it is so well known.

Sixthly, all the upright stones in thisAntiquityarePyramidalllike flames, in imitation of thoseÆtheriallfires, wherewith theHeavenis adorned.Pier. Valer. Hier. lib. 60.Now, thatFirehath the form of aPyramisis evident,percioche, essendo largo da basso, intorno alla materia & esca, da che si pasce, finisce in acuta fiammache riguardo al Cielo. Because, being large at the bottome, in respect of the matter and fewell, by which it is fed, it finishes in an acute flame tending upwards towards Heaven.And, that the Heavens are adorned with fires,Natalis Comesin his Mythology, out ofOrpheus, makes apparent.Nihil aliud esse Cœlum existimans, nisihunc æthera qui constat ex altissimis illis ignibus. Supposing the Heaven to be no other thing, but this Air which consisteth of those transcendent Fires.

Lastly, thatStonehengwas anciently dedicated toCœlusI collect from theConformationof the work. For theconformationof theCellandPorticusin the Plant, was designed with four equilaterallTriangles, inscribed in aCircle, such as theAstrologersuse in describing the twelvecelestiallsigns in musicall proportions. According to that ofVitruvius;Vitr. lib. 5.In ea conformatione quatuor scribantur trigona paribus lateribus & intervallis, quæ extremam lineam circinationis tangant; In the conformation thereof let four triangles be inscribed of equall sides and intervals, which may touch the extreme part of the circumference: quibus etiam in duodecim signorum cœlestium descriptione, Astrologi ex musica convenientia astrorum ratiocinantur; by which figures also, Astrologers from the musicall harmony of the stars ground their reasonings, as concerning the description of the twelve celestiall signs. Besides theCellit self in the formation thereof, is cast into anExagon, one of the three figures, likewise used byAstrologersin their aforesaid arguments of thesympathyof the stars.Figuris tribus(saithPhilander)utuntur Astrologi, Trigono, Tetragono & Hexagono. The Astrologers make use of three sorts of figures; the Triangle, Tetragon, and Hexagon.Furthermore, the three entrances leading into the Temple from the Plain, were comparted by an equilateralltriangle; which was the figure whereby the Ancients expressed what appertained toHeaven, and divine mysteries also.Pier. Valer.Hier. lib. 39.Aggiungono i Magi(saithPierius Valerianus)che un triangolo semplice di lati uguali, è indizio di divinità, overo effigie di cose celesti. TheMagiadde that a triangle of equall sides is a symbole of Divinity, or sign of celestiall matters. Now thisAntiquityconsisting of severall stones, orderly disposed into one entire work, in imitation, as it were, of those severall stars which appearing to us in the Heavens in form of a circle, are called thecelestiall Crown; and wholly designed by thoseScheamswherewithAstrologersuse to describecelestiallbodies, which figures, usually applied by them to particular accidents onely, being all joyntlymade use of by theArchitectfor conformation of this sacred structure, it is not improbableStonehengwas so composed, because dedicated toCœlum. Yea further, (if lawfull to compare an idolatrous place with so divine a work) was not theTempleatHierusalemadorned with the figures ofCherubims; that thereby the Nations of the Earth might know it was the habitation of the living God? and, why not in like manner thisTemplecomposed byAstrologicallfigures, that after Ages might apprehend, it was anciently consecrated toCœlusorCœlumHeaven?

But in this conjuncture; concerning such kinde ofTemplesas this atStoneheng, what saith the learnedPatriarchofAquileia?Dan. Barba. in lib. 4.Vitr. cap. 7. in Ven. 1584.Io credo, che quel Tempio senza parete significava alcune cose del Cielo, gli effetti delle quali sono nelle scoperto. I beleeve that Temple without walls(speaking of theMonopterosaforesaid)had a relation toCœlum (Heaven)because the effects thereof are openly displaied to the full view of all men.

Camdentels us he had heard, that in the time of KingHenrythe eighth, a table of metall was found, not far from thisAntiquity, engraven with divers strange characters, which being not legible, was neglected and lost: had, indeed, that Table been found within the work it self it might happily have brought to light somwhat in relation toStoneheng. And by all likelihood, in time some inscriptions may therein be found, it being the custome as well ofGreeksasRomans, in times of greatestAntiquity, to lay inscriptions (usually) under the first stones set in what works soever; especially, those of any great magnificence. Wherefore, I advise mine honoured FriendLaurence WashingtonEsquire in whose demeasnes thisAntiquitystands, to whom I am much obliged, for his friendly notice of what things have been there of late years digged up, that he would be solicitous upon any search made there, to enquire after them, and if any found not to neglect, or curiously conceal them, but preserve and willingly produce the same.

I suppose, I have now proved from Authentick Authors, and the rules of Art,Stonehenganciently aTemple, dedicatedtoCœlus, built by theRomans; either in, or not long after those times (by all likelihood) when theRomanEagles spreading their commanding wings over thisIsland, the more to civilize the Natives, introduc’d theArtof Building amongst them, discovering their ambitious desire, by stupendious and prodigious works, to eternize the memory of their high minds to succeeding Ages. For, the magnificence of that statelyEmpire, is at this day clearly visible in nothing more, then in the ruines of theirTemples,Palaces,Arch’s Triumphals,Aquæducts,Thermæ,Theaters,Amphitheaters,Cirques, and other secular, and sacred structures.

History affords onlyContemplation, whereby their great Actions are made conceivable alone to reasoning: but the ruines of their buildingsDemonstration, which obvious to sense, are even yet as so many eye-witnesses of their admir’d atchievements.

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