Stonehenge | Page 7

and frost. Originally, as has already been stated, the
foreign stones numbered forty-five, disposed as follows: thirty in the
outer circle, and fifteen in the inner horseshoe. To-day only nineteen
exist in the outer circle, and eleven in the inner horseshoe.
A very striking proof that many of these foreign stones have
disappeared, is to be found in the wide gaps which exist to-day in
certain parts of the circle. That such gaps were originally filled by
standing stones is beyond question, indeed, the base of a "schistose"
stone (see Class 3 in the Lithology above) was actually discovered by
Mr. Cunnington in the course of his investigations into the nature of the
rocks composing Stonehenge. It is highly probable that careful and
scientific excavation may add greatly to our knowledge in this
direction.
There is yet one other point of interest in connection with these foreign
stones. On entering the circle from the north-east (the usual path taken

by visitors) a recumbent foreign stone will be noticed on the left-hand
side, which has two cavities worked in it. This is the only worked
foreign stone in the whole monument, and at first sight these cavities
may possibly suggest themselves as "mortise holes" similar to those on
the Sarsen trilithons, to be described later. It has even been suggested
that the small uprights once carried imposts, or lintel stones similar to
the trilithons, on the evidence of this one stone. Such a theory, however
attractive, should be accepted with due caution, for the cavities on the
stone are far from the ends, and situated too close together to justify a
comparison with the existing Sarsen trilithons of the outer circle. This
stone has never yet been explained and its position defined,
consequently it is omitted from the frontispiece.

THE STONES WITHOUT THE CIRCLE
Outside the circle of Trilithons stand three stones which have not as yet
been described in detail, since they do not fall within the geometrical
arrangement of the circle. They are, however, of the highest importance,
as it is from them, and from their position, that it is possible to gather
some conclusions as to one use to which the structure may have been
put.
Within the circular earthwork, lying in a line north-west and south-east,
are two small untrimmed Sarsens, while outside the earthwork stands
yet another unworked Sarsen, already referred to as the "Hele Stone" or
"Friar's Heel." The fact that these three Sarsens are unworked, while all
the others show very marked traces of dressing and trimming, is one
that should be remembered. These three stones occupy no haphazard
position either. As already stated, the "Hele Stone" marks the rising of
the sun on the Summer Solstice. The remaining two mark both its
rising on the Winter Solstice, and its setting on the Summer Solstice.
THE HELE STONE OR FRIAR'S HEEL
This stone, as being the largest of this group of three, and such a
conspicuous feature in the structure, demands something more than

mere passing mention. It is a monolith of unwrought stone standing
sixteen feet high. Such untrimmed stones are to be found all the world
over in connection with religious rites. Even the Jews were not
untainted with this early cult of stone worship.
"Among the smooth stones of the valley is thy portion; they are thy lot;
even to them hast thou poured a drink offering, hast thou offered a meat
offering," writes Isaiah.
In Christian times the custom continued. The Council of Tours as late
as A.D. 657 categorically excluded from Christianity all worshippers of
upright stones; while later, Canute forbade the barbarous worship of
stones, trees, fountains, and heavenly bodies. At once, therefore, this
huge unwrought monolith suggests religion, and probably one of the
earliest, and most primitive forms of worship. And thus being
obviously connected with non-Christian rites, it is not surprising to find
that it has a "devil-legend" attaching to it.
THE LEGEND OF THE FRIAR'S HEEL
The devil, so the story runs, determined one day to undertake some
great and stupendous work, for the like of which he is famous
throughout the world. In this devil we can still discern the Scandinavian
"giant" legend, which in later Christian times became "devil" legends.
The work had to be great, puzzling, and amazing to all beholders, for as
the Wiltshire story-teller adds, "he had let an exciseman slip through
his fingers." In the course of his wanderings up and down the earth, he
had noticed some huge stones in the garden of an old crone in Ireland;
and he determined, therefore, to transport them to the stoneless waste of
Salisbury Plain as being the most unlikely spot in which to find such
things. There yet remained the old woman's permission to be obtained
before he could commence his