The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-05-19

were appropriated. Evidently they were
never Intended for watch towers, as they are
sometimes met with In low situations; nor
could they have served for defense from their
pecllliar structure The most satisfactory
theory supposes them "fire-tOwers," used to
preserve Che sacred flames in the manner still
practiced by the Parsees. La support OF this
Lord Valentia. In his Travels mentions two
Round Towers near Baughuipor, Hindoostan.
In every respect similar to those in Ireland
This would suggest that at some very remote
time there was communication between those
distant countries. That such was actually
the case Is fully established by history me
PhTnicians carried on great trade with
Persia and India, and also visited Ireland tor
lead in the days of Hiram and Solomon,
thousand years before Christ. 1t was the
custom of these bold navigatOrs to erect
pillars or temples on the principal promon-
On Cape St. Vincent, Spain, was one OF these
sacred columns and from this point TO
Cairnsore, the sacred peninsula Of Ireland,
was scarcely days sail. Or
THE ROUND TOWERS
there are more than sixty on the island !;
they are found nowhere on the continent OF
Europe though one would expect to see them
In the north, If their builders, as once sup,
posed, were the Danes. That they were used
also for astronomical purposes Is certain.
The Tower OF Kerry contains representations
of the zodiac, and the writer's OF st Patrick
In the palmy days of Carthage, two eXpe--
ditioDs were sent beyond the Pillars One Of
them visited this island and founded The reli-
gions rites In honor of Ceres and Prosefpine
teries," sacred to the gods Of navigation,
which had been introduced by the PhTnl-
clans. But there are more witnesses than the
Round Towers that the earliest Inhabitants
were from the East and at no distant day
| from the dispersion began their westward
journey.
THE CROMLEACH
was originally called "bothel,' house Of God,
q word almost similar to "bethel," and Of the
same meaning. The mountains still retain
their ancient appelations, indicating the sun
sun; "GGraln Brict, suns Circle !" "Grenor,
place of the Suns Fire etc The worship
of Baal was also celebrated by bonfires
lighted on the first of May. This custom still
continues, though Invested OF its religious
character. The more fearful characteristics
of the Canaanitish rites were exhibited In tho
Offering Of children as sacrifices. The tern
Magi was often used instead OF Druid" ant
the cromleachs. large black altar stones, are
similar to those In Malabar, some so poiset
that touch of the hand sets them in motion
although the strength of hundred mel
could not overturn one. In place OF sun dlai'
the shadow of stones set in peculiar man
her Indicated the time.
We passed several
HOLY WELLS,
near one bush literally covered with pieces
of rags tied on the branches attracted atten
ton. Each superstitious passer-by attaches
q piece of his garment, as a charm agains
evil. There are also remains of the place
where parallel fires were built for the purfi
cation OF men and animals. This ceremon,
was called passing through the fire." and
like the preceding, was strictly Syrian. Tina
COLONIZATION FROM SPAIN
at later date occurred, is also attested b,
some very graceful customs. The Iris
peasant girl of to-day wears her shaw
over her in true Andalusian style.
From the contemplation of the past we tur
to the present Dublin is enthusiastic owe
the French exposition. This is accounted 70
by the fact that France in the early days G
Christianity received her most eminen
teachers and founders of colleges from Ire
land and in return sent help, though unavaiI
ing, when England's power crushed Iris
liberty.