cut stone, and the rude loops that do duty for windows. "Stone walls are built," he says, "with the same materials for churches as for other buildings," and concludes by asserting that "the Irish were not accustomed to the use of cut stone even at the end of the twelfth century."

Proofs that before the Invasion the Gael despised stone buildings are easily met with. When some Irish chiefs attempted to raise strong defences after that woeful visitation, the Northern bards prophesied the impending downfall of the native

chiefs.

“Let us,” said one of them, "pull down those fortresses of the insidious enemy, and cease working for them by erecting any of our own. Their stratagems will assuredly wrest them out of our hands. Our ancestors trusted entirely to their personal valour, and thought the stone houses of the Galls (foreigners) a disgrace to courage."

The natives were as partial to wood in their churches as in their dwellings. Mr. Keane makes an apposite quotation from Dr. Reeves (Ulster Jurnal, vol. 1, p. 170).

"St. Malachy's first oratory (Bangor) was 'constructed of boards, but well and closely united, a Scotic fabric, respectable enough;' and this was a step in advance of the early structure which probably answered to the description of wicker-work interwoven by a fence, and surrounded by a ditch.' Subsequently, however (in the year 1120), when foreign travel had enlarged his views, it seemed fit to Malachy that he should build at Benchor (Bean, fine; Cor, music; Coire, a circle) an oratory of stone like those churches which he had seen in other countries. But when he had begun to lay the foundations, some of the inhabitants were astonished, for no buildings of the kind were known in that land. Whereupon a factious crowd gathered round him, and one who was chosen as their spokesman, expressed their sentiments in these memorable words: 'O worthy man, what is your motive in introducing this novelty in our neighbourhood? We are Scots, not Gauls. Why this vanity? What need of a work so extravagant, so aspiring!".

The building called Cormac's Chapel, perhaps the finest specimen extant of Irish ecclesiastical architecture, is said to have been built seven

years after this attempt of St. Malachy's, and apropos to this unlikely feat, our archæologist asks—

"Are we to believe that Cormac's Chapel was built by an Irish provincial chief, who aspired unsuccessfully to the throne of Munster, and that he did build Cormac's Chapel, with all its beautiful sculpture more than forty years before Henry II. erected his Royal Palace in Dublin of smoothe wattles after the fashion of Irelande, and more than 209 years before Christ Church was furnished with a bell-tower of stone?"

Our author is enthusiastic, and indeed with good reason, on the subject of this temple. We willingly copy items of his description.

"It appears to have been built without windows suitable for glass, for the lights now appearing in it were manifestly an effort to adapt it in after times to Christian uses. It is built of cut stone within and without, and ornamented with the greatest variety of minute and beautiful architecture."

He then particularizes it as—

costly by far in proportion to its size than

"A temple small in dimensions, yet more

any church or cathedral ever erected in Ireland since the conquest by England. A temple in design and construction unlike any church in Christendom, whose building can be proved to date within the Christian era. A temple roofed with a thorough semicircular arch of cut stone, appearing like one of the rock temples of Hindoostan. This arch is again surmounted by a cut-stone roof having chambers between both."

There is a considerable resemblance between the style of these old Irish structures and that of Norman buildings introduced by the English, but our author points out differences which are uniformly found in all the specimens of both, and a general superiority in the Irish structures, which would hardly be the case if the Norman style was the parent. Here are some of the points of difference

"Every so-called Norman doorway and window in Ireland, which I have examined, and found in its original position, has the sides, and I have been informed that a single cyclopean peculiarity of sloping or inclining

specimen of such characteristic is not to be found in any existing example of English Norman.

"The construction of windows is another point in which the ancient Irish architecture stands in direct contrast with the English Norman. Glass was known throughout England since the eighth century. It was in general use in churches since the earliest age of Norman architecture. But in Ireland there is no specimen of the ancient Norman window adapted to the use of glass, the only exception to the rule with regard to England being, that in some country churches-specimens of the early Norman-rude loop-holes were used instead of windows to admit light. But the rudeness of such unglazed windows, without a morsel of ashlar, stands in striking contrast

with the Irish windows belonging to the

so-called Norman style.

These Irish windows are all made of the

best cut stone, closely and perfectly jointed; some plain, others highly ornamented with the richest devices of so-called Norman sculpture. They all admit a very limited supply of light; they are not

adapted for fitting of glass; and they have got slightly inclining jambs, being generally

from half an inch to two inches wider at

bottom than at top. The large window at Kilmacduagh consists of about 200 superficial fect of beautifully cut stone, used to admit about 9 superficial feet of light. This is one of the largest in Ireland, but the characteristics of all are alike, namely, thoroughly well cut stone, little light, and no preparation for glass or frame. While hundreds of this class of windows are to be found among the 'Norman' ruins of Ireland,

I have not heard

of the existence of

a single specimen in England of a well. executed window with ashlar jambs, having sloping sides, but unprepared for the use of glass.'

The early English (Gothic) which succeeded the Norman in England, much excelled it in picturesque effect and finish; "but (we quote the text) if the best specimens of ancient Norman in the richest localities of England manifest a considerable degree of roughness in the masonry, compared to the styles which suc ceeded them, the very opposite is found to be the case in Ireland. The

so-called Norman ruins in Ireland, in point of masonry and the abundance of ashlar used, are as far superior to Gothic buildings (the genuine Christian churches) as the Gothic of England is superior to the English Norman. This anomaly has never before been attempted to be explained."

"Almost every church in Ireland, built within the period of authentic history, is found to be in the pointed style like the

English of the same date, but far inferior to the English churches in point of material and execution. Even in their im

proved state they fall far short of the 'Norman' ruins, in respect of the quantity and workmanship of the cut stone used.

"There are particular dates assigned to more than a hundred Gothic churches and monasteries in Ireland. The earliest are ascribed to the twelfth century, but there is no historical record whatever of the foundation of a single one of the so-called Norman churches."

The zig-zag ornament on the Irish buildings seems to identify them with the Norman ; but Mr. Rickman, quoted by our author, points out its existence on the buildings of Diocletian. He also refers to the buildings in central America as described by Stephens, where many instances of it are to be

seen.

Mr. Keane has given views and descriptions of some beautiful pieces of Norman architecture in doorways, &c., still extant at Kilmelchedor in the S.W. of Kerry, and others at Glandeloch, localities not in English possession till comparatively modern times. There being a hostile feeling between Saxon and Gael at the period when Norman architecture might be supposed to be introduced, he argues with every appearance of reason, that native artists would not adopt the favourite style of the intruders. Generally, remains of structures in this style are found in localities which came latest under foreign power, and saints of the fifth and sixth centuries. belong to churches dedicated to Irish The skill of English architects would naturally be exerted for fanes dedicated to English saints.

Mr. Brash of Cork, a high authority on architectural matters, states in the Ulster Journal, April 1859, that "from the year 1200 to 1260 tic houses:- Drogheda, Newtown, were erected the following monasBallybeg, Buttevant, Athenry, and Lorha, Kilkenny, Youghal, Trim, Kildare. These buildings were erected in the first pointed style.'

English architects or their pupils of The proofs adduced seem to deprive the honour of having raised any ecclesiastical buildings in Ireland except those belonging to the Gothic style. So the thing narrows itself to this :-The so-called Norman churches were either built by native architects in the fifth or sixth century,

or they were modified Heathen remains, found by these artists ready to their hands, and adapted well or ill to Christian worship.

The portion of the work now under consideration is richly illustrated with remains of door-ways and other parts of the old fanes. Some of the entrances are crowned by the semicircular arch, others by the ponderous slab, the jambs approaching each other in every instance as they ascend, and the cyclopean irregular layers distinguishing many of the basements the fine cut stone work of windows and doors excepted. Specimens of similar styles are engraved from the ancient piles at Ferentinum, and Matrium (Italy), Roselli (do.), Norha (do.), Mycenae (Greece), Avantipore (Cashmere). In some of the illustrations the similarity of the beautiful spiral ornamentation on Irish door-pillars and others found at Mycenae and Avantipore, is very remarkable.

There are notices in the annals of the Four Masters, which seem to fix the building of Cormac's Chapel, and of other religious houses within Christian times. However the word used to express the action is Forbadh, which implies "finishing" and is not used to express complete construction, which belongs to the word, Dean, to do.

As the Christianized Gael were not more partial to the erection of stone buildings than their Pagan forefathers, our author is convinced of the great improbability of buildings exhibiting such architectural beauty to have been raised by them. It might be conjectured that the foreign missionaries would have brought the knowledge of such architecture as was then the fashion on the Continent along with them, and instructed their neophytes in the art. But with the exception of St. Patrick and a few coadjutors, the visits of Continental divines, or scholars, or artists, were exceedingly rare. The great saint himself was more intent on the conversion of his people than on instructing them in the principles of

any human art. He was well satisfied with a present of a barn for the performance of religious functions. His biographers enlarge on his solicitude to provide for the comforts of the workmen who raised his church at Armagh, but say nothing of the style of the building, the greater part of which we may suppose to consist of wood. There being such an amount of apathy among our sixth-century ancestors about the construction of stone churches, if they had not these Chapels of Cormac, Temples of Kilmelchedor, &c., to convert at slight expense of labour and genius into churches, there must have taken place an irruption of masons free or otherwise from the Continent, who had retained a knowledge of the solid cyclopean style of architecture known to the ingenious building-artists contemporary with Homer, and averse to any insinuations of the learned Vandals of their day, who would naturally prefer the pointed style, which has taken its name from their relatives the Goths.

No one except a "modern philosopher" commends the Emperor Julian for lapsing into Paganism after he had been made acquainted with Christian faith and practice. Nor do we expect many Christians* to change their faith for Heathenism on the perusal of the learned book before us. The author is not a man likely to take offence: he modestly states his opinions, but issues an edict of toleration in favour of all who take the liberty of differing from his views.

CONCLUDING REMARKS.

We have touched but on very few of the many subjects handled by the author, who as well as the lamented scholar, Henry O'Brien, has ransacked all the Heathen systems, and the treasures left us by little known authors of the East, that land of illarranged and incoherent myths. We, ourselves, have treated in this MAGAZINE of Hecateus's account of Apollo's visits to the Hyperboreans (the ancient Gael, qu.), of the visit of

Abaris, of the Ocean Stream of Homer, of the Riphean Valley, of early Celtic Saints, of the decadence of Pagan myths into Christian superstitions, of the derivation of Bonfires, Halloween-incantations, Holywells, &c., from the practices of the Heathen Gael, all of which are learnedly treated in the present volume. The reader will get much curious information in Mr. Keane's richly illustrated work, on these sub

jects as well as about the Aborigines of America, Arkite mythology, and that in which worship was paid to mere animal functions, Hindoo and Egyptian and Chaldean myths, the Rock buildings of Bashan and the Cave temples of India, the transmigrations of the early dwellers after the Flood, and many other subjects of a useful or at least very curious nature.

THE following story was heard some half century since by the writer on a winter's night after a good many tales had been told of a humorous or extravagant character. The farmer by whose hearth the assembly were mutually amusing each other was of a pious turn of mind in his way, and wished to bring the imaginations of his guests round to a more healthy condition, than they were left in by the abundance of wild or grotesque cireumstances already detailed. Our readers are qualified to form their own judgments on some peculiar views of the unseen world entertained by the narrator and his audience. We have since heard the mere outline from other story-tellers, and it is probable that it may be heard wherever Gaelic or Breton scealuidhes still exist. As told by the respectable John Byrne of Chapel (the name of his townland) it had a marvellous quieting and serious effect on his hearers, resembling what one of the old stories of the Legenda Aurea had when introduced by a preacher of the middle ages into his sermon. Mr. Byrne possessed a tolerably well cultivated mind, and made use of correct enough speech, but we do not profess to give the tale in his identical words.

Once on a time, and a very hard time it was, for it was ouly a week before Christmas Eve, and it was snowing, and along the frozen road there was sweeping an east wind, that would dry the marrow in your bones to elder-pith-a poor young man was struggling along the same road, and he had not even the comfort to have the wind in his back. The poor fellow could hardly keep anything like

heat in his inside, for it was many hours since he had eaten his scanty breakfast, and he was nearly ready to drop with fatigue and hunger. At last, at a turn of the road, he came in sight of an old manor house on the ridge of a slope, that lay a little off the road. He hoped to find the entrance gate at the end of a little grove, that stretched on for a bit inside the road-fence, and he got all his strength together to help him on. At last, he came to where the road bent round on the grove-side, and there, sure enough, was an open space, and a farmhouse, where he expected to find the gate and the gate-lodge.

He lifted the latch, and found the family seated round the big kitchentable at dinner. The mistress sat at the upper end, the master on her right hand, the handsome young daughter on her left, and the labourers and servants filled up the lower part. As soon as the door was opened, a blast of wind rushed in, and almost blew the fire about the house. The traveller closed it at once, and made the usual salutation, "God save all here! Much good do you!" "Oh! God save you kindly!" answered the mistress: "that's a hard day to be on the road. Come and join us." "Thank you kindly, ma'am ! but with your leave, I'll stay near the fire till I feel the blood once more in my hands and my feet." "Well, don't go too near it, or you'll have chilblains; and you may as well be eating a bit while you're getting the benefit of the heat."

So a round stool was settled for him near the fire, and a big plate full of good cup-potatoes, and a noggin of skimmed milk, and a print of good

fresh butter were laid on it; and if he did not make a hearty dinner, never believe my word again! As hungry as he was, he could not help looking at the young woman near the top of the table, and thinking he had never seen so good or so well-looking a face on anyone. When the master thought he was at leisure to answer questions, he asked him how far he had come since morning. "Oh," said he, "I came from beyond the mountains, and I believe I never worked or travelled on such a cold and blowing day." "And where, may I ask, are you going?" "Indeed, I am going no farther if you have any employment for me. I have left an old couple and a little girl behind me, and I want to earn something for them." "Well never say't twice. One of my men is in the sickness, and it was God sent you to fill his place. If he recovers I'll find work enough for you both." "God prosper you, sir! I expect you'll never have cause to be sorry for holding out a hand to them that stood badly in need of it."

It was a rather late dinner, and there was not much done after it except looking to the wants of the cattle for the night. When the evening's work was over, the whole family sat round a roaring turf fire, the women knitting or sewing, one man making a whip, another mending a horse collar, and others merely resting their backs against the partition wall. The chat and gossip never ceased till the potatoes were turned out on the big table. The conversation at the table was continued afterwards at the fire for a short time, and then all joined in the litanies before separating for the night.

The boys made a luxurious bed for themselves in the barn ;-straw under them, walls of straw round them, and heaps of bedclothes over them. One or two reposed on the stable loft,-a resting place which I do not recommend: Bryan slept in the barn. Next morning all were on their feet betimes; and through the day, the master was struck by the intelligence of his new ally, and the interest he took in every occupation that fell to

him. He was particularly handy about the cattle, and the very dogs and cats seemed to take kindly to him from the first.

At nightfall they assembled again round the hearth, and by this time Bryan looked a different man from the tired and hungry traveller that had lifted the latch on the previous day. Few words had yet passed between himself and the farmer's daughter, but their eyes had met more than once, and probably their thoughts also.

The night before Christmas Eve, Bryan's new master detained him a little after the rest, and thus addressed him in the presence of his wife and daughter. "If you please me as well during the rest of the year, as you have to-day, I will give you eight pounds at the end. Perhaps you would like to let your family know what has happened at once: they would spend a happier Christmas I am sure, if you do. Here is a quarter's hire; and if you wish, you may go back to-morrow, and spend Christmas at home. I will expect you back, the day after St. Stephen's.

Poor Bryan was hardly able to speak for wonder and joy. The tears started to his eyes, and he grasped the good man's hand with both his own, and expressed his gratitude in a very confused manner. "You need not wait for breakfast, if you wish to start early. You will find a square* or two of bread on the kitchen table, and you can begin your journey at daybreak. Good night, and God speed, and a happy Christmas to yourself and family!" "The same to you, sir, and all belonging to you, and may your heart never know sorrow!" The farmer gave a great sigh at these words, and the women's faces looked sad. Bryan longed to know the cause of this sadness, but good manners kept his mouth closed.

Next day the air was calm, the sun shone, and the road was pretty clear of the snow which had been blown into the dykes; and Bryan's spirits were so good, that he would not have minded drifts, if they lay