ld club together to acquire rights corresponding to
those of one freeman. The _daer-fuidhirs_ were tramps, fugitives,
captives, &c.

Fosterage, the custom of sending children to be reared and educated in
the families of fellow-clansmen, was so prevalent, especially among the
wealthy classes, and the laws governing it are so elaborate and occupied
such a large space, that some mention of it here is inevitable. Beyond
mention, there is little to be said, owing to the absence of general
principles in an infinity of specific details, mostly domestic and
apparently trivial. A child in fosterage was reared and educated
suitably for the position it was destined to fill in life. There was
fosterage for affection, for payment and for a literary education.
Fosterage began when the child was a year old and ended when the
marriageable age was reached, unless previously terminated by death or
crime. Every fostered person was under an obligation to provide, if
necessary, for the old age of foster-parents. The affection arising from
this relationship was usually greater, and was regarded as more sacred
than that of blood relationship.

The solidarity of clan and _fine_ in their respective spheres, the
provisions of the system, the simple rural life, and the prevalence of
barter and payments in kind, left comparatively little occasion for
contracts between individuals. Consequently the rules relating to
contract are not very numerous. They are, however, sufficiently solemn.
No contract affecting land was valid unless made with the consent of the
_fine_ and in the presence of the _Aire-Forgaill_. Contracts relating to
other kinds of property are more numerous. When important or involving a
considerable amount, they had to be made in the presence of a _flaith_
or magistrate. The _Aire-Coisring_ presided over most of the contracts
of the common people. The parties to a contract should be free citizens,
of full age, sound mind, free to contract or not, and under no legal
disability. "The world would be in a state of confusion if express
contracts were not binding." From the repeated correlative dicta that
"nothing is due without deserving," and that a thing done "for God's
sake," i.e. gratis, imposed little obligation, it is clear that the
importance of valuable consideration was fully recognized. So also was
the importance of time. "To be asleep avails no one"; "Sloth takes away
a man's welfare." Contracts made by the following persons w