Page:Archaeologia Volume 13.djvu/270

212 ed in these islands were dedicated to this deity, but the Celtæ who settled here in very early times acknowledged him, as did their successors the Romans, before the introduction of christianity; and therefore it is probable he might have been classed by our pagan ancestors amongst their idols. The Priapeid deity preserved at Hilton in Staffordshire, vulgarly called Jack of Hilton, of which Dr. Plot has given an account, accompanied with an engraving, seems to warrant this conjecture ; however, it is certain that the professors of the religion of Bramha in Asia, at this day exhibit the as the symbol of the vivifying spirit, on the boundaries of districts, on the highways, in their temples, choultries, oratories, and other places, by them held sacred. This symbol is also used by the ladies on their rings and bracelets, and is pendent to their necklaces, in the same manner as they wear crucifixes on the continent; and such is the force of education, opinion, and custom, that no improper ideas are annexed to the display thereof. Although such symbols are very properly rejected by christians, the philosopher may remark, that evil is only in the mind, and attaches to the ideas affixed to particular words or symbols: he may say with Horace