saint, the foundation being always marked out by him
on a Sunday, for which Domhnach is the Gaedhilic term.

Having preached for some time in the western part of the territory of
Meath, the saint proceeded as far as Magh Slecht, where the great idol
of the nation, Ceann [or Crom] Cruach was solemnly worshipped. The
legend of its destruction, as given in the oldest annals, is singularly
interesting. We give a brief extract from Professor O'Curry's
translation: "When Patrick saw the idol from the water, which is named
_Guthard_ [loud voice] (i.e., he elevated his voice); and when he
approached near the idol, he raised his arm to lay the Staff of Jesus on
him, and it did not reach him; he bent back from the attempt upon his
right side, for it was to the south his face was; and the mark of the
staff lies in his left side still although the staff did not leave
Patrick's hand; and the earth swallowed the other twelve idols to their
heads; and they are in that condition in commemoration of the miracle.
And he called upon all the people _cum rege Laeghuire;_ they it was that
adored the idol. And all the people saw him (i.e., the demon), and they
dreaded their dying if Patrick had not sent him to hell."[126]

After this glorious termination of Easter week, the saint made two other
important converts. He set out for Connaught; and when near Rath
Cruaghan, met the daughters of King Laeghaire, the princesses Ethnea and
Fethlimia, who were coming, in patriarchal fashion, to bathe in a
neighbouring well. These ladies were under the tuition of certain
druids, or magi; but they willingly listened to the instruction of the
saint, and were converted and baptized.

The interview took place at daybreak. The royal sisters heard the
distant chant of the priests, who were reciting matins as they walked
along; and when they approached and beheld them in their white garments,
singing, with books in their hands, it was naturally supposed that they
were not beings of earth.

"Who are ye?" they inquired of the saint and his companions. "Are ye of
the sea, the heavens, or the earth?"

St. Patrick explained to them such of the Christian mysteries as were
most necessary at the moment, and spoke of the one only true God.

"But where," they asked, "does your God dwell? Is it in the sun or on
earth, in mountains or in valleys, in the sea or in rivers?"

Then the apostle told them of his God,--the Eternal, the Invisible,--and
how He had indeed dw