Saint Columba - Page 2

was afterwards ascertained to be true.

A very large Christian establishment appears to have been afterwards
formed in the Bay of Cells; and the remains of a chapel, dedicated to
Saint Kiaran, are still to be seen there. It is the favourite place of
interment among the Catholics of this day. Indeed, Columba and many of
his successors seem to have adopted the policy of engrafting their
institutions on those which had formerly existed in the country. Of this
there are innumerable instances, at least we observe the ruins of both
still visible in many places; even in Iona we find the burying-ground of
the Druids known at the present day. This practice may have had
advantages at the time, but it must have been ultimately productive of
many corruptions; and, in a great measure, accounts for many
superstitious and absurd customs which prevailed among that people to a
very recent period, and which are not yet entirely extinct. In a very
ancient family in that country two round balls of coarse glass have been
carefully preserved from time immemorial, and to these have been ascribed
many virtues--amongst others, the cure of any extraordinary disease among
cattle. The balls were immersed in cold water for three days and nights,
and the water was afterwards sprinkled over all the cattle; this was
expected to cure those affected, and to prevent the disease in the rest.
From the names and appearance of these balls, there is no doubt that they
had been symbols used by the Archdruids.

Within a short distance of the Bay of Cells there is a cave very
remarkable in its appearance, and still more so from the purposes to
which it has been appropriated. Saint Columba, on one of his many
voyages among the Hebrides, was benighted on this rocky coast, and the
mariners were alarmed for their own safety. The Saint assured them that
neither he nor his crew would ever be drowned. They unexpectedly
discovered a light at no great distance, and to that they directed their
course. Columba's boat consisted of a frame of osiers, which was covered
with hides of leather, and it was received into a very narrow creek close
to this cave. After returning thanks for their escape, the Saint and his
people had great difficulty in climbing up to the cave, which is elevated
considerably above sea. They at length got sight of the fire which had
first attracted their attention. Several persons sat around it, and
their appearance was not much calculated to please the holy man. Their
aspects were fierce, and they had on the fire some flesh roasting over
the coals. The Saint gave them his benediction; and he was invited to
sit down among them and to share their hurried repast, with which he
gladly complied. They were freebooters, who lived by plunder and