[231] “Granem dixere priores.”—Ovid.
Although those heaps are now but signals of accidental or violent death, for which each passenger bespeaks his sorrow by adding a small stone, yet we see that in their origin they were more religiously designed; and while this latter practice is observed also in India, it appears that they have retained there more correctly the primitive idea, as may be inferred from these words of Major Archer:—“On the right and left are several cairns of stones, erected by parties of travellers as they cross, in acknowledgment to the deities or presiding spirits for their protection.”
[232] Ogyg. seu Rer. Iber. Chron. part i. p. 16.
[233] One of the ancient names of Ireland is Inis Algan, that is, the Noble Island.
[234] “The children gathered the wood, the fathers kindled the fire, and the women kneaded the dough to make cakes for the queen of heaven” (Jer. vii. 18).
[235] Lettres sur les Sciences, p. 202.
[236] Hist. du Calendrier, Pref. p. 14.
[237] “Obeliscum Deo soli, speciali munere, dedicatum fuisse” (Ammianus).
[238] “Chinenses et Indi, præter imagines in pagodis et delubris, prægrandes aliquando etiam integras rupes, presertim si naturâ in pyramidalem formam vergebant, in idola formari solebant” (Hyde).
[239] Is it not pitiable, therefore, to hear Mr. Deane, in the last volume of the Transactions of the Society of Antiquaries, London, ascribe the erection of those obelisks which he met in Britanny, to the following text? namely, “Behold Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster” (1 Sam. xxvi. 7).