The objects of the Druid worship were many.  In this respect they did not differ from other heathens:  but it must be owned that in general their ideas of divine matters were more exalted than those of the Greeks and Romans, and that they did not fall into an idolatry so coarse and vulgar.  That their gods should be represented under a human form they thought derogatory to beings uncreated and imperishable.  To confine what can endure no limits within walls and roofs they judged absurd and impious.  In these particulars there was something refined and suitable enough to a just idea of the Divinity.  But the rest was not equal.  Some notions they had, like the greatest part of mankind, of a Being eternal and infinite; but they also, like the greatest part of mankind, paid their worship to inferior objects, from the nature of ignorance and superstition always tending downwards.

The first and chief objects of their worship were the elements,—­and of the elements, fire, as the most pure, active, penetrating, and what gives life and energy to all the rest.  Among fires, the preference was given to the sun, as the most glorious visible being, and the fountain of all life.  Next they venerated the moon and the planets.  After fire, water was held in reverence.  This, when pure, and ritually prepared, was supposed to wash away all sins, and to qualify the priest to approach the altar of the gods with more acceptable prayers:  washing with water being a type natural enough of inward cleansing and purity of mind.  They also worshipped fountains and lakes and rivers.

Oaks were regarded by this sect with a particular veneration, as, by their greatness, their shade, their stability, and duration, not ill representing the perfections of the Deity.  From the great reverence in which they held this tree, it is thought their name of Druids is derived:  the word Deru, in the Celtic language, signifying an oak.  But their reverence was not wholly confined to this tree.  All forests were held sacred; and many particular plants were respected, as endued with a particular holiness.  No plant was more revered than the mistletoe, especially if it grew on the oak,—­not only because it is rarely found upon that tree, but because the oak was among the Druids peculiarly sacred.  Towards the end of the year they searched for this plant, and when it was found great rejoicing ensued; it was approached with, reverence; it was cut with a golden hook; it was not suffered to fall to the ground, but received with great care and solemnity upon a white garment.

In ancient times, and in all countries, the profession of physic was annexed to the priesthood.  Men imagined that all their diseases were inflicted by the immediate displeasure of the Deity, and therefore concluded that the remedy would most probably proceed from those who were particularly employed in his service.  Whatever, for the same reason, was found of efficacy to avert or cure distempers was considered as partaking