STONEHENG RESTORED, BY _INIGO JONES_ Esquire.
Being naturally inclined in my younger years to study the _Arts of Designe_, I passed into forrain parts to converse with the great Masters thereof in _Italy_; where I applied my self to search out the ruines of those ancient _Buildings_, which in despight of _Time_ it self, and violence of _Barbarians_ are yet remaining. Having satisfied my self in these, and returning to my native _Countrey_, I applied my minde more particularly to the study of _Architecture_. Among the ancient monuments whereof, found here, I deemed none more worthy the searching after, then this of _Stoneheng_; not only in regard of the _Founders_ thereof, the _Time_ when built, the _Work_ it self, but also for the rarity of its _Invention_, being different in _Forme_ from all I had seen before: likewise, of as beautifull _Proportions_, as elegant in _Order_, and as stately in _Aspect_, as any.
King _James_, in his progresse, the year one thousand six hundred and twenty, being at _Wilton_, and discoursing of this _Antiquity_, I was sent for by the right Honourable _William_ then _Earl of Pembrook_, and received there his Majesties commands to produce out of mine own practise in _Architecture_, and experience in _Antiquities_ abroad, what possibly I could discover concerning this of _Stoneheng_. What mine opinion was then, and what I have since collected in relation thereunto; I intend to make the subject of this present Treatise. And certainly, in the intricate, and obscure study of _Antiquity_ it is far easier (as _Camden_ very well observes) to refute and contradict a false, then to set down a true and certain resolution. For mine own part, in what I shall here deliver, I intend not to struggle against any opinion commonly, and long since received. Let every man judge as it pleaseth him. What opinion soever the Reader inclines to, I shall not make much materiall, my aime being, a desire only to vindicate, as much as in me lies, the _Founders_ of this venerable _Antiquity_ from oblivion, and to make the truth, as far forth as possibly I may, appeare to all men.
Severall Writers, both Strangers, and our own Countreymen, have treated of _Stoneheng_. Before recite whole opinions, I think not amisse to seek this subject from the most ancient times, endevouring thereby to give satisfaction whether or no, the _Druides_, _aliàs_ _Druidæ_ (in Authors indifferently written, and in old time the _Priests_ of the _Britans_ and _Gauls_) or the ancient _Britans_, for the _Druid’s_ use, might not be the _Founders_ of so notable a monument; which if they were, there is then no cause why bestow farther study or pains, in searching who the _Founders_ were, but acquiesce in the honour of our own Nations first erection of it.