ed the death of Pope Alexander VII. These
conjunctions were believed to have been always attended with important
circumstances on earth. Tycho Brahe reckoned them thus:--The first, he
said, was under Enoch; the second under Noah; the third under Moses;
the fourth under Solomon; the fifth under a greater than Solomon; the
sixth under Charlemagne, when the Romans were subdued; and the seventh
conjunction was at the time first mentioned. Those who have made
themselves acquainted with the cruel persecutions in the year 1680 and
subsequent years, will not refuse to admit that, whether Kepler did or
did not know beforehand through astronomical calculations what dire
calamities were to take place on account of truth, his words prepared
many for coming danger, and emboldened them to struggle on until
Protestantism triumphed over Papacy.

In the _Day of Rest_ for September 1877 we find the following
statement relative to Solomon:--"Eastern traditions inform us that
Solomon possessed the secret power of expelling demons; that he
composed spells by which diseases were removed; and that he left
behind him exorcisms by which devils were driven away, never to
return. In wild exaggerated stories in the Talmud, Solomon is credited
with having dominion over the wild beasts, and over the birds of
heaven, and over the creeping beasts of earth, and over all devils and
spirits of darkness. He understood the languages of them all, and they
understood him. On one occasion, proceeds the legend, when the wise
king's heart was influenced with wine, he commanded that all the wild
beasts, birds, and creeping things of earth, and also the devils and
spirits of darkness, should be gathered together, that they might
dance before him. And what is most wonderful, if the Rabbis lie not,
every one that was summoned appeared before Solomon, and took part in
the great dance."

THE DRUIDS.

CHAPTER XXVI.

Druids laid claim to Supernatural Power--Functions
exercised by Druids--Representations of the Sun and
Moon--Belief of Druids--Beltane Feasts--Arkite and
Sabian Superstition--Dancing to the Song of the
Cuckoo--Holy Liquor--Initiation into the Druidical
Mysteries--The Goodmane's Land and the Guidman's
Fauld--Places frequented by Fairies--Good Manes gave
Plentiful Crops--Offerings to Demi-gods--Propitiating
Beasts of Prey--Sacred Cairns--Trees dedicated to
Demons--Law forbidding Worsh