and so to any
light wind or current of air. (2) Fine ashes or cinders, the refuse of
coal, coke and charcoal burning. This is probably from the O. Fr.
_brese_, modern _braise_, a word connected with _braser_, whence Eng.
_brazier_, a pan for burning coals, charcoal, &c.

BREGENZ (anc. _Brigantium_), the capital of the Austrian, province of
Vorarlberg, as well as of the administrative district of Bregenz. In
1900 its population was 7595, German-speaking and Roman Catholic. It is
situated at the south-east angle of the Lake of Constance, and, besides
communications by water with the other towns on the shores of that lake,
is connected by: rail with Feldkirch on the Arlberg line (24 m.) and
with Munich. The old town is on a hillock, crowned by the ancient
castle, while the new town is built on the level ground at the foot of
the hill. The fine parish church (dedicated to St Gall) stands on
another mound more to the south. In the local museum are collections of
various kinds, especially of the Roman antiquities which have been dug
up on the site of the old town. The position of the town on the lake has
always made it an important port and commercial centre. Nowadays the
main trade is in grain, but much is done also in cattle and in the
products of the cotton-spinning factories of Vorarlberg.

We hear of counts of Bregenz as early as the 10th century, their heirs
in the early 13th century being the counts of Montfort (a castle north
of Feldkirch), who gradually acquired most of the surrounding country
(including Feldkirch and Bludenz). But little by little the Habsburgers,
counts of Tirol since 1363 bought from them most of their
domains--first Feldkirch in 1375, next Bludenz and the Montafon valley
in 1394, finally the county of Bregenz in two parts, acquired in 1451
and 1523. In 1408 the Appenzellers were defeated before Bregenz, while
in 1647, during the Thirty Years' War, the town was sacked by the Swedes
under Wrangel. (W. A. B. C.)

BREHON LAWS, the English but incorrect appellation of the ancient laws
of Ireland, the proper name for which is _Feineachas_, meaning the laws
of the Feine or Feini (fainyeh), who were the free Gaelic farmers.
_Dlighthe Feine_ is another name for the laws, with the same meaning.
Laws of universal application which could be administered only by duly
qualified judges were called _Cain_ law, while minor laws administered
by nobles and magistrates were called _Urradhus_ law. R