As far neverthelesse, as from History ancient or moderne may be gathered, there is little likelyhood of any such matter, considering especially what the _Druid’s_ were; also, what small experience the _Britans_, anciently inhabiting this Isle, had, in knowledge of what ever _Arts_, much lesse of building, with like elegancy and proportion, such goodly works as _Stoneheng_.
Concerning the _Druid’s_ in the first place, true it is, they are reported in ancient times, to have been in great esteeme in this Island, where their discipline, and manner of learning, was supposed to be first invented, and from hence translated into _Gaul_. _Disciplina in Britannia reperta_ (saith _Cæsar_) _atque inde in Galliam translata esse existimatur._ They are said in like manner no have ordered and disposed all divine matters, as well in relation to their severall kinds of Sacrifices, as to expounding whatever rites of their idolatrous superstition; insomuch, you may call them (if you please) the Bishops and Clergy of that Age.
Their power moreover, and preheminence was not confined within the strict limits of sacred matters, but enjoying a more large prerogative, temporall negotiations, and affairs of State were transacted by them: the managing of Peace and War was usually remitted to their Authority, even when Armies were ready to joyn in Battell. _Publica iis_ (saith _Strabo_) _& privata judicia committuntur, & aliquando causis bellorum disceptandis jam acie congressuros composuerunt._ Judges they were (saith _Cæsar_ also) in almost all civill and criminall causes: sentence they gave in case of life and death: decide they did controversies, and debates betwixt party and party: finally, whatever else was requisite and convenient to keep the people in due obedience to their _Princes_, they wholly took the care and charge of.
These were the maine affaires wherein the employment of the _Druides_ consisted, and whereunto they wholly addicted themselves. Whosoever desires to know more of them, may read _Cæsar_, _Diodorus Siculus_, _Strabo_, _Pliny_, _Diogenes Laertius_, _Ammianus Marcellinus_, and such like ancient Authors. But, whatsoever these, or other Historians have written of the _Druides_, certainly, _Stoneheng_ could not be builded by them, in regard, I find no mention, they were at any time either studious in _Architecture_, (which in this subject is chiefly to be respected) or skilfull in any thing else conducing thereunto. For, _Academies_ of _Designe_ were unknown unto them: publique Lectures in the _Mathematiques_ not read amongst them: nothing of their _Painting_, not one word of their _Sculpture_ is to be found, or scarce of any Science (_Philosophy_ and _Astronomy_ excepted) proper to informe the judgement of an _Architect_; who, (as _Vitruvius_ saith) should be _peritus Graphidos, eruditus Geometria, & Optices non ignarus_ &c. _perfect in Designe, expert in Geometry, well seen in the Opticks, skilfull in Arithmetick, a good Historian, a diligent hearer of Philosophers, well experienced in Physick, Musick, Law and Astrologie_.