geographers. The description given by Diodorus Siculus of a
"certain large island a considerable distance out at sea, and in the
direction of the west, many days' sail from Lybia," if it applies to
Ireland, would make us suppose that the Erinn of pagan times was
incomparably more prosperous than Erinn under Christian rule. He also
specially mentions the fish, and adds: "The Phoenicians, from the very
remotest times, made repeated voyages thither for purposes of
commerce."[55]

The descriptions of our social state are by no means so flattering; but
it is remarkable, and, perhaps, explanatory, that the most unfavourable
accounts are the more modern ones. All without the pale of Roman
civilization were considered "barbarians," and the epithet was freely
applied. Indeed, it is well known that, when Cicero had a special object
in view, he could describe the Celtae of Gaul as the vilest monsters,
and the hereditary enemies of the gods, for whose wickedness
extermination was the only remedy. As to the "gods" there is no doubt
that the Druidic worship was opposed to the more sensual paganism of
Greece and Rome, and, therefore, would be considered eminently
irreligious by the votaries of the latter.

The most serious social charge against the Irish Celts, is that of being
anthropophagi; and the statement of St. Jerome, that he had seen two
Scoti in Gaul feeding on a human carcass, has been claimed as strong
corroboration of the assertions of pagan writers. As the good father was
often vehement in his statements and impulsive in his opinions, he may
possibly have been mistaken, or, perhaps, purposely misled by those who
wished to give him an unfavourable impression of the Irish. It is
scarcely possible that they could have been cannibal as a nation, since
St. Patrick never even alludes to such a custom in his _Confessio_,[56]
where it would, undoubtedly, have been mentioned and reproved, had it
existence.

[Illustration: CROSS AT GLENDALOUGH, CO. WICKLOW.]

[Illustration: CROMLECH AT DUNMORE, WATERFORD.]

FOOTNOTES:

[42] _Josephus_.--Con. Apionem, lib. i.

[43] _Snechta_.--O'Curry, p. 14.

[44] _Work_--See ante, p. 43.

[45] _Writes_.--Josephus, lib. i. c. 6. Most of the authorities in this
chapter are taken from the Essay on the ancient history, religion,
learning, arts, and government of Ireland, by the late W. D'Alton. The
Essay obtained a prize of L80 and the Cunningham Gold Medal from the
Royal Irish Academy. It