ments are represented, in the form in which they were evidently used by the ancient wood-hewers and carpenters. The one on the left side shews the method by which the most simple form, both in stone and metal, was used. Besides the ligature, a slight ridge may be observed on some, apparently to prevent their being forced out of their proper position. In the more improved manufacture of metal Celts, which are common to North and South Britain, they are formed with a hollow for the insertion of the handle, and, in several instances, part of the wood has been found remaining in the socket. From this circumstance, and their peculiar formation, it has been inferred that the shaft and blade were in a line, making, as it were, a bludgeon ;° but was it not possible for the Celtic warrior to find boughs of trees bent naturally to a right angle, or that could be readily made so and adopted as an efficient handle? The lower figure on the dexter side of the trophy, forming the vignette to this Chapter, represents the method in which it is believed to have been fixed when used as an axe. The metal Celts are usually provided with a ring, as represented in the engraving, supposed to have been for the purpose of suspending them by the side or over the shoulder. They are often found with a mould, or case, into which they exactly fit, which was either adopted for their preservation, the mould in which they were formed, or itself adapted for service. It has, however, been observed that all brazen instruments, from their value, were kept in cases of wood lined with cloth. Celts have also, not unfrequently, a ring attached, with sometimes a bit of jet or other ornament appended. • Whitaker's Hist. of Manchester, &c. In some tumuli that were opened near the Cree, in the parish of Monigaff, where, according to tradition, the Picts and Romans had fought a severe battle, several stone Celts were found. One was in the form of a hatchet, and resembled a pavior's hammer in the back part, like the one represented in the engraving, and another was broad and flat, both having an aperture for the shaft." It may be observed that not only are many of these implements formed at one end like the above, but hammers are often found buried with the primitive inhabitants of these Islands. The Gauls consigned similar articles to the graves of their relatives, and in several seulptures they are represented carrying them in their hands.a There is no very positive authority to believe that the axe was a weapon in common use, either by the Continental or British Celts, but Marcellinus speaks of it as carried by the former, and in 538 the Franks used it. By the Welsh, when formed of flint, it was called Bwyelt-arv. In a Teutonic romance of the eighth century, it is said that after the javelins had been thrown, "they thrust together resounding stone axes." The word used for these is staim bort, from stein, a stone, and barte, an axe, and it is thought to be the only name by which they are recorded.' Hengist, the Saxon, calls a sword an axe. Among the Danes, who used it double, it was called bye, and when fixed to a long staff, it is said to have acquired the name of all bard, or cleave all. This weapon, when used by the Highlanders, was known as the Lochaber axe, called, in Gaëlic, tuagh-chatha. The P Stat. Acc. vii. 60, xvi. 227, xviii. 186, &c. Septentrionale. Archæologia, xvii. 120, &c. A reprint by Dr. Jamieson in a work on Edinb. Journal of Science, Nov. 1824. • Jamieson's Remarks on the Pictish language. See also Gordon's Itin. a See the plate. Northern Antiquities. heavy armed soldier in Scotland and Ireland carried it, until very lately, from whom it was called the Galloglach axe. It was usually mounted on a staff about five feet long, but another sort was wielded with one hand, the thumb being extended along the shaft, and so forcibly that no mail could resist it. In the Tower of London were formerly shewn some weapons called Lochaber axes; but since the recent excellent arrangements of Dr. Meyrick, it appears they were English arms, no real Lochaber axes being in the armoury. They are, indeed, unaccountably rare. One, in this gentleman's admirable collection, is of a ruder form than the one here represented. The figure on the right is from the axes formerly borne by the town guard of Edinburgh, that in the middle from those of old Aberdeen, and the other is an ancient form of the Highland tuagh. |