as a matter of interest or duty, wish to
understand their social state, and the government best suited to that
state. Many of the poorest families in Ireland are descendants of its
ancient chiefs. The old habit--the habit which deepened and intensified
itself during centuries--cannot be eradicated, though it may be
ridiculed, and the peasant will still boast of his "blood;" it is all
that he has left to him of the proud inheritance of his ancestors.

The second source of historical information may be found in the HISTORIC
TALES. The reciting of historic tales was one of the principal duties of
the Ollamh, and he was bound to preserve the truth of history "pure and
unbroken to succeeding generations."

"According to several of the most ancient authorities, the _Ollamh_, or
perfect Doctor, was bound to have (for recital at the public feasts and
assemblies) at least Seven Fifties of these Historic narratives; and
there appear to have been various degrees in the ranks of the poets, as
they progressed in education towards the final degree, each of which was
bound to be supplied with at least a certain number. Thus the _Anroth_,
next in rank to an _Ollamh_ should have half the number of an _Ollamh_;
the _Cli_, one-third the number, according to some authorities, and
eighty according to others; and so on down to the _Fochlog_, who should
have thirty; and the _Driseg_ (the lowest of all), who should have
twenty of these tales."[79]

The Ollamhs, like the druids or learned men of other nations, were in
the habit of teaching the facts of history to their pupils in verse,[80]
probably that they might be more easily remembered. A few of these tales
have been published lately, such as the Battle of _Magh Rath_, the
Battle of _Muighe Leana_, and the _Tochmarc Momera_. Besides the tales
of Battles (Catha), there are the tales of Longasa, or Voyages; the
tales of Toghla, or Destructions; of Slaughters, of Sieges, of
Tragedies, of Voyages, and, not least memorable, of the Tana, or Cattle
Spoils, and the Tochmarca, or Courtships. It should be remembered that
numbers of these tales are in existence, offering historical materials
of the highest value. The Books of Laws demand a special and more
detailed notice, as well as the Historical Monuments. With a brief
mention of the Imaginative Tales and Poems, we must conclude this
portion of our subject.

Ancient writings, even of pure fiction, must always form an important
historical elemen