Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Great Celtic Deities Still Existing In Great Britain.
been loosely attributed to the monks of the middle ages , simply because the oldest traditions of those localities give no indication of the date of their formation , coupled ivith tho fact of their being in tho vicinity of ancient monkish residences ; and those
who gave it as their opinion that they Avere antecedent to mediaeval times , and of Celtic origin , only attempted to support such opinions by conjecture . In a paper lately read before tho Eoyal Institute of British Architects , in London , Mr . Phene ' shoAved
reasons against their origin being monkish , as Avell as in favour of their being Celtic creations ; and hi consequence of this paper , the Sussex Archaeological Society , with the approbation of the Duke of Devonshire , AVIIO headed the list of subscribers , determined to take measures to avert the
obliteration by time of the outline of tho "Wilmington Giant . " Mr . Phen 6 has pointed out that this vast representation is not only in the attitude of the Colossus of Khodes , but that its proportions are just double those of that statue ; that it is
unlike any other representation , either in barbarous or classical device , except an almost exact delineation on one of the ancient Gnostic gems ; and that , Avhile the last figure is accompanied by solar and lunar emblems , both the carving at Cerne Abbas ,
and also that at "Wilmington , have , in their vicinity , British earthworks of a lunar form . The descriptions by Cresar and Strabo of the Celtic deity to Avhich human sacrifices Avere offered , refer to a gigantic effigy of the human figureAvhich Mr . Phen 6 argues
, could not have been as has been supposed , a great wicker idol , but rather an idol in that form , and surrounded by a palisade , or ( contexta ) " interwoven" barrier , and that in such area the Avild beasts and cattle
mentioned by Strabo Avere placed Avith human victims , The Sussex figure has moreover two staves , as indications of travelling , and Caesar refers to a Celtic deity as a god of journeying , of Avhich many images or representations then existed . The fact that a number of curious bronze
celts , and ancient cinerary urns filled Avith bones , have been found in the vicinity of this figure , Avhich is incised in the chalk elifl " , on the range of doAvns connected Avith Beach y Head , gives support to the idea of its Celtic origin . A further corroboration exists in the adjoining heights being occupied by British tumuli . But apart from
such evidences , one of the great points on Avhich Mr . Phene rests for these figures not having been made by the monies is , that they aro not such as Christian men of a religious calling Avould have made , they being nude , and otherwise totally unlike
early Christians' art , Avhile that they aro very ancient Avorksis unquestionable . Those Avho have suggested their mediaeval origin have imagined the one at Wilmington to represent a religious devotee , or pilgrim , but it need hardly be observed that this
only increases the improbability . That early Christian art should descend to such representations is a proposition Avithout example , Avhile that it should so represent a devotee is impossible ; Avhereas it is just Avhat Avould be expected in the cruelty of a
religion Avhich tolerated human sacrifice . If , as Dr . Beddoe suggested , the explanation given in this paper may probably be the
correct one , it solves a difficulty over which more than one antiquary has stumbled , as Ave find the historian of our OAVU tOAvn , Mr . John James , F . S . A ., getting over the improbability of great Avicker idols by suggesting that the victims Avere put into " largo
Avicker baskets , and thrown into the fire . " Those Avho have the restoration in hand desire to excite a general , and not a local interest in this great monument of the past , and for that reason Avish for a Avidely-spread subscription of half-a-crown , rather than
large amounts from individuals . The Vicar of Glynde , Sussex , is appointed treasurer . Operations have commenced , and the first sod Avas toned by Mr . Phen 6 just before the meeting of the British Association , but Arork has been suspended for a time to give an opportunity to any AA'I IO may bo interested in this relic of antiquity to see it in its present condition .
MARITIME DISASTEES . —The Committee of Management of the Bureau Veritas has just published the list of maritime disasters , reported during the month of November , 1873 , concerning all flags . The list gives the following statistics : —Sailing vessels totally lost , 217—viz ., 83 English , 26 German , 24 French , 19 Norwegian , 15 Italian , II Dutch , 11
Danish , 7 American , 7 Greek , 5 Kussian , 3 Swedish , 1 Spanish , 1 Portugese , 1 Austrian , 1 Turkish , 1 Guatemala , 1 Nicaraguan , and 1 Belgian . In this tolal number are included three sailing vessels reported missing . Steamers totally lost 21 , viz . —11 English , 5 German , 1 American , 1 Spanish , 1 French 1 Bepublica Argenta , and 1 Turkish .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Great Celtic Deities Still Existing In Great Britain.
been loosely attributed to the monks of the middle ages , simply because the oldest traditions of those localities give no indication of the date of their formation , coupled ivith tho fact of their being in tho vicinity of ancient monkish residences ; and those
who gave it as their opinion that they Avere antecedent to mediaeval times , and of Celtic origin , only attempted to support such opinions by conjecture . In a paper lately read before tho Eoyal Institute of British Architects , in London , Mr . Phene ' shoAved
reasons against their origin being monkish , as Avell as in favour of their being Celtic creations ; and hi consequence of this paper , the Sussex Archaeological Society , with the approbation of the Duke of Devonshire , AVIIO headed the list of subscribers , determined to take measures to avert the
obliteration by time of the outline of tho "Wilmington Giant . " Mr . Phen 6 has pointed out that this vast representation is not only in the attitude of the Colossus of Khodes , but that its proportions are just double those of that statue ; that it is
unlike any other representation , either in barbarous or classical device , except an almost exact delineation on one of the ancient Gnostic gems ; and that , Avhile the last figure is accompanied by solar and lunar emblems , both the carving at Cerne Abbas ,
and also that at "Wilmington , have , in their vicinity , British earthworks of a lunar form . The descriptions by Cresar and Strabo of the Celtic deity to Avhich human sacrifices Avere offered , refer to a gigantic effigy of the human figureAvhich Mr . Phen 6 argues
, could not have been as has been supposed , a great wicker idol , but rather an idol in that form , and surrounded by a palisade , or ( contexta ) " interwoven" barrier , and that in such area the Avild beasts and cattle
mentioned by Strabo Avere placed Avith human victims , The Sussex figure has moreover two staves , as indications of travelling , and Caesar refers to a Celtic deity as a god of journeying , of Avhich many images or representations then existed . The fact that a number of curious bronze
celts , and ancient cinerary urns filled Avith bones , have been found in the vicinity of this figure , Avhich is incised in the chalk elifl " , on the range of doAvns connected Avith Beach y Head , gives support to the idea of its Celtic origin . A further corroboration exists in the adjoining heights being occupied by British tumuli . But apart from
such evidences , one of the great points on Avhich Mr . Phene rests for these figures not having been made by the monies is , that they aro not such as Christian men of a religious calling Avould have made , they being nude , and otherwise totally unlike
early Christians' art , Avhile that they aro very ancient Avorksis unquestionable . Those Avho have suggested their mediaeval origin have imagined the one at Wilmington to represent a religious devotee , or pilgrim , but it need hardly be observed that this
only increases the improbability . That early Christian art should descend to such representations is a proposition Avithout example , Avhile that it should so represent a devotee is impossible ; Avhereas it is just Avhat Avould be expected in the cruelty of a
religion Avhich tolerated human sacrifice . If , as Dr . Beddoe suggested , the explanation given in this paper may probably be the
correct one , it solves a difficulty over which more than one antiquary has stumbled , as Ave find the historian of our OAVU tOAvn , Mr . John James , F . S . A ., getting over the improbability of great Avicker idols by suggesting that the victims Avere put into " largo
Avicker baskets , and thrown into the fire . " Those Avho have the restoration in hand desire to excite a general , and not a local interest in this great monument of the past , and for that reason Avish for a Avidely-spread subscription of half-a-crown , rather than
large amounts from individuals . The Vicar of Glynde , Sussex , is appointed treasurer . Operations have commenced , and the first sod Avas toned by Mr . Phen 6 just before the meeting of the British Association , but Arork has been suspended for a time to give an opportunity to any AA'I IO may bo interested in this relic of antiquity to see it in its present condition .
MARITIME DISASTEES . —The Committee of Management of the Bureau Veritas has just published the list of maritime disasters , reported during the month of November , 1873 , concerning all flags . The list gives the following statistics : —Sailing vessels totally lost , 217—viz ., 83 English , 26 German , 24 French , 19 Norwegian , 15 Italian , II Dutch , 11
Danish , 7 American , 7 Greek , 5 Kussian , 3 Swedish , 1 Spanish , 1 Portugese , 1 Austrian , 1 Turkish , 1 Guatemala , 1 Nicaraguan , and 1 Belgian . In this tolal number are included three sailing vessels reported missing . Steamers totally lost 21 , viz . —11 English , 5 German , 1 American , 1 Spanish , 1 French 1 Bepublica Argenta , and 1 Turkish .