ve been enticed into subterranean abodes, and
retained for years. Places dedicated to gods and demi-gods lay
uncultivated, though the surrounding ground bore good crops. For these
acts of self-denial in permitting ground to remain waste which might
have been producing good fruit, "the good neighbours" sent untold-of
blessings. To secure prosperity, goodmanes attached themselves to
deserving persons and families, making their crops plentiful, causing
their cows to have calves, and giving milk in abundance. We have an
account of how offerings were presented to those demi-gods at stated
occasions. The people made a circle on the ground, in which they
kindled a fire, and then cooked a mess, consisting of milk, butter,
eggs, and meal, for the beings whose favour they desired to secure for
the first time, or whose continued good service was wished. Cakes were
baked and offered to the manes in this manner: piece after piece was
broken off the cake or bannock and thrown over the left shoulder,
while the desire was expressed aloud, that those to whom the offering
was made would preserve the cattle, horses, and other animals and
substance from the power of evil spirits. In the same way, or after a
fashion somewhat similar, beasts of prey were propitiated.

Then there were sacred cairns, consisting of stones thrown together by
passers by, every one adding his stone. If any one removed these
cairns, or part thereof, superstitious people predicted evil to the
spoiler. The late Rev. James Rust, in his _Druidism Exhumed_, mentions
that circles stood on the spot where one of the extensive
manufactories at Grandholm, near Aberdeen, has been built. The people,
shocked at the removal of the Druidical works, predicted retributive
justice to those who disturbed the sacred relics. For a long time
every misadventure to the company, or to individuals connected
therewith, was attributed to the sacrilegious action.

Trees were sometimes dedicated to demons. The people worshipped such
trees, holding them in the highest esteem that any earthly thing could
be regarded. It was a capital offence to cut off a branch or shoot
from one of them. King Cnut passed a law forbidding the worship of
the sun, moon, fire, rivers, wells, stones, or forest trees of any
kind.

Mr. Rust gives the following extracts from the Kirk Session records of
the parish of Slains, which bear upon Druidical superstitions:--

"18th November 1649.--The sd day the Ministe