would have been a valuable addition to their poor fare.  The wealthy, whose tables are furnished daily with every luxury, can have but little idea how bitter such privations are to the poor.  Had there been a resident landlord in the place, to interest himself in the welfare of his tenants, a few pounds would have procured all that was necessary, and the people, always grateful for kindness, would long have remembered the boon and the bestower of it.

[55] Commerce.—­“Phoenices a vetustissimis inde temporibus frequenter crebras mercaturae gratia navigationes instituerunt.”—­Diod.  Sic. vers.  Wesseling, t.i.

[56] Confessio.—­Dr. O’Donovan states, in an article in the Ulster Archaeological Journal, vol. viii. p. 249, that he had a letter from the late Dr. Prichard, who stated that it was his belief the ancient Irish were not anthropophagi.  He adds:  “Whatever they may have been when their island was called Insula Sacra, there are no people in Europe who are more squeamish in the use of meats than the modern Irish peasantry, for they have a horror of every kind of carrion;” albeit he is obliged to confess that, though they abuse the French for eating frogs, and the English for eating rooks, there is evidence to prove that horseflesh was eaten in Ireland, even in the reign of Queen Elizabeth.

CHAPTER V.

Landing of the Milesians—­Traditions of the Tuatha De Dananns in St. Patrick’s time—­The Lia Fail, or Stone of Destiny—­The Milesians go back to sea “nine waves”—­They conquer ultimately—­Reign of Eremon—­Landing of the Picts—­Bede’s Account of Ireland—­Fame of its Fish and Goats—­Difficulties of Irish Chronology—­Importance and Authenticity of Irish Pedigrees—­Qualifications of an Ollamh—­Milesian Genealogies—­Historical Value of Pedigrees—­National Feelings should be respected—­Historic Tales—­Poems.

[A.M. 3500.]

The last colonization of Ireland is thus related in the Annals of the Four Masters:  “The age of the world 3500.  The fleet of the sons of Milidh came to Ireland at the end of this year, to take it from the Tuatha De Dananns, and they fought the battle of Sliabh Mis with them on the third day after landing.  In this battle fell Scota, the daughter of Pharaoh, wife of Milidh; and the grave of Scota[57] is [to be seen] between Sliabh Mis and the sea.  Therein also fell Fas, the wife of Un, son of Uige, from whom is [named] Gleann Faisi.  After this the sons of Milidh fought a battle at Taillten[58] against the three kings of the Tuatha De Dananns, MacCuill, MacCeacht, and MacGriene.  The battle lasted for a long time, until MacCeacht fell by Eiremhon, MacCuill by Eimheur, and Mac Griene by Amhergen."[59] Thus the Tuatha De Danann dynasty passed away, but not without leaving many a quaint legend of magic and mystery, and many an impress of its more than ordinary skill in such arts as were then indications of national superiority.