@he @euids.

“ENTURIES ago there flourished in Gaul and Britain a sect of
Pagan priests named Druids. Wehave no complete history
of them, but in England and France are many relics of their life
in the shape of ruins of their rude stone temples. One of these

@ which has attracted much attention is foundin a deep, rocky glen
in London. A picture of itis before you.

Czesar, the Roman general who invaded Britain in the early part of the
Christian era, has given the clearest account of themthatwe have. He tells us
that they attended worship, performed sacrifices and explained matters of re-

ligion. They fixed re-
wards and punishment,
settled nearly all pub-
lic and private punish-
ments, and woe beun-
tothe man who dared to
dispute their decrees,
whether his station was
high or low. Many of
the youths af that day
gathered around them
for the sake of educa-
tion. These priests en-
joyed the highest honor
in the nation. They
had one chief who pos-
sessed full authority over them. Upon his death he was succeeded by the
most prominent member of the order. If there were several equally promi-
nent the chief was elected by the remainder. Notwithstanding their power
in settling quarrels between individuals and communities the election of the
chief sometimes led to war among themselves.

They assembled at some sacred place once a year, and thence journeyed
all who had disputes or questions which they wished to settle.

They took no part in war; they paid no taxes, and were not called upon
for military services or any public burden. It was these privileges, undoubt-
edly, which led many to join them.

It is said that a great part of the education given the youth of that day,