his conjecture." William of Neuburg has also
remarked, that though the Romans harassed the Britons for three
centuries after this event, Ireland never was invaded by them, even when
they held dominion of the Orkney Islands, and that it yielded to no
foreign power until the year[93] 1171. Indeed, the Scots and Picts gave
their legions quite sufficient occupation defending the ramparts of
Adrian and Antoninus, to deter them from attempting to obtain more, when
they could so hardly hold what they already possessed.

The insurrection of the Aitheach Tuatha,[94] or Attacotti, is the next
event of importance in Irish history. Their plans were deeply and wisely
laid, and promised the success they obtained. It is one of the lessons
of history which rulers in all ages would do well to study. There is a
degree of oppression which even the most degraded will refuse to endure;
there is a time when the injured will seek revenge, even should they
know that this revenge may bring on themselves yet deeper wrongs. The
leaders of the revolt were surely men of some judgment; and both they
and those who acted under them possessed the two great qualities needed
for such an enterprise. They were silent, for their plans were not even
suspected until they were accomplished; they were patient, for these
plans were three years in preparation. During three years the helots
saved their scanty earnings to prepare a sumptuous death-feast for their
unsuspecting victims. This feast was held at a place since called _Magh
Cru_, in Connaught. The monarch, Fiacha Finnolaidh, the provincial kings
and chiefs, were all invited, and accepted the invitation. But while the
enjoyment was at its height, when men had drank deeply, and were soothed
by the sweet strains of the harp, the insurgents did their bloody work.
Three ladies alone escaped. They fled to Britain, and there each gave
birth to a son--heirs to their respective husbands who had been slain.

After the massacre, the Attacotti elected their leader, Cairbre
Cinn-Cait (or the Cat-head), to the royal dignity, for they still
desired to live under a "limited monarchy." But revolutions, even when
successful, and we had almost said necessary, are eminently productive
of evil. The social state of a people when once disorganized, does not
admit of a speedy or safe return to its former condition. The mass of
mankind, who think more of present evils, however trifling, than of past
grievances, however oppressiv