*

VI

_Golden Bells_

In O'Curry's "Lectures on the Manners and Customs of the Ancient Irish"
are several dazzling descriptions of cavalcades taken from the old
tales. Silver and golden bells are frequently mentioned as part of the
horse furniture.

* * * * *

VII

_The Wild People of the Glen_

"And then he put on his helmet of battle and of combat and of fighting,
from every recess and from every angle of which issued the shout as it
were of an hundred warriors; because it was alike that woman of the
valley (_de bananaig_), and hobgoblins (_bacanaig_), and wild people
of the glen (_geinti glindi_), and demons of the air (_demna acoir_),
shouted in front of it, and in rear of it, and over it, and around it,
wherever he went, at the spurting of blood, and of heroes upon it."

Description of Cuchulain's helmet in the story of _The Tain bo
Chuailgne_.--O'Curry's "Manners and Customs of the Ancient Irish,"
Vol. II., p. 301.

* * * * *

VIII

_The Fair of Tara_

"The great fairs anciently held in Ireland were not like their modern
representatives, mere markets, but were assemblies of the people to
celebrate funeral games, and other religious rites; during pagan times
to hold parliaments, promulgate laws, listen to the recitation of tales
and poems, engage in or witness contests in feats of arms, horse-racing,
and other popular games. They were analogous in many ways to the
Olympian and other celebrated games of ancient Greece.

"These assemblies were regulated by a strict by-law, a breach of which
was punishable by death. Women were especially protected, a certain
place being set apart for their exclusive use, as a place was set apart
at one side of the lists of mediaeval tournaments for the Queen of Beauty
and the other ladies.

"At the opening of the assembly there was always a solemn proclamation
of peace, and the king who held the fair awarded prizes to the most
successful poets, musicians, and professors and masters of every
art."--See Dr. Sullivan's "Introduction to O'Curry's Lectures."

* * * * *

IX

_The Contest of the Bards_

"The three musical feats of the _Daghda_, a celebrated Dedanann chief
and Druid, were the _Suantraighe_, which from its deep murmuring caused
sleep. The _Goltraighe_, which from its meltive plaintiveness caused
weeping, and the _Goltraighe_, which from its merrimen