66 and the Eleusinian mysteries were only varieties of the two different sects." Amongst other circumstances, he tells us, that he compared an astrolabe in the Nagari (the oldest Sanscreet) character of India, with Chaucer's description of one, and found them to agree together most minutely; even the centre-pin, which Chaucer calls the horse, having a horse's head upon the instrument:" and, after acquainting us that he meant shortly to enter into a full investigation of the question, he finally gives it as his own decided opinion, that (6 THE DRUIDS WERE BRAHMINS."* The death of this ingenious gentleman in India prevented the completion of his engagement, and the present is only a humble effort, made amidst the pressure of illness, and other weightier pursuits, to fill up some of the outlines of his projected plan. * Asiatic Researches, vol. ii. p. 489, Calcutta quarto edition. A DISSERTATION, &c, SECTION I. The Author unfolds his Design in this Essay.The immense Extent of the ancient Indian Empire; and the wide Diffusion of the Indian Mythology and Sciences throughout Asia.— The geographical Limits of the pot less extensive Region of Scythia.-These two mighty Nations, the Indians and Persians, being throughout considered as one People, possessed the greater Part of Asia: the Indians, from the earliest Periods, a polished Race; the Scythians, ever Barbarians.-Escaped from the Horrors of the general Deluge, the Noachida, who settled in Asia, inhabited the Regions nearest the great Range of Taurus. In the Median Mountains, and near the Heights of Caucasus, were established, in Caverns, their |