by the Druids, consisted in committing to memory a large number of verses.
They did not use writing. In fact, they considered it an unholy thing to com-
mit their knowledge to writing. They believed men’s souls after death did
not perish, but passed from one individual to another.

They lived mostly in groves of oak timber, the oak being with them a
sacred tree. If mistletoe was found upon the oak it added to its sacredness,
as the mistletoe was considered the highest of all plants, an antidote for poi-
sons, anda cure for almost all diseases.

They knew something of astronomy, but little of other branches of know-
ledge.

For some reason the Romans took a strong dislike to them, possibly be-
cause they refused to pay taxes and to perform public services. Whatever
was the cause the Romans took active steps to destroy them, and with success.
Nevertheless their superstition continued to hold power over many of the peo-
ple, and there is little doubt that even to this day they have an influence over
the descendants of the Celtic tribes, among whom the Druids flourished.