vince, as well as those of the whole Kingdom. Many Centuries
had this wise Constitution subsisted here, before our Neighbours, even of
_South Britain_, knew any thing relative to Houses, or Raiment; it being
notorious that so late as the Arrival of _Julius Caesar_ among them, they
painted their Bodies, to render them terrible, and lived in the open
Fields. It is really somewhat surprzing that People so near in Situation,
should differ so essentially in Disposition, as the Inhabitants of those
Islands have in all Ages; Hospitality having been the distinguishing
Attribute of the _Irish_, and it's opposite Defect, that of the _Britons_;
the Account given of them by _Horace_ 1700 and odd Years ago, _Visam
Britannes Hospitibus feros_, being as literally applicable to them at this
Day, where the Force of Education doth not operate to mitigate their
natural Ferocity.

But to return: St. _Patrick_ in his Way to _Tarah_, took up his Lodgings
at the House of the hospitable _Sesgnen_ in _Meath_, who kindly received
and welcomed him. St. _Patrick_ preach'd Christ and his Gospel to him; he
believed, and was baptized with his whole Family.

From the House of _Sesgnen_, he moved Westward, and arrived on _Easter
Eve_ at _Fierta-fir-feic_, on the Northern Banks of the River _Boyne_,
where he rested, resolving there to prepare for the next Day's Solemnity.
It was penal for any Person at the Time of the Celebration of this solemn
Convention at _Tarah_, to kindle a Fire in the Province, before the King's
Bonfire first appeared. I am of Opinion this was a religious Ceremony, as
the chief Deity of the ancient Inhabitants, in exterior Worship
especially, was _Bel_, or _Belus_; whence _Apollo_ or _Ap-haul_, the Son
of the Sun, whom they emblematically worshipped, by those fiery Offerings;
whence the first Day of _May_, peculiarly dedicated to this _Bel_, is even
now in _Irish_, called _Lha-Bel-Thinih_, and probably from the same Source
may be derived the Custom of lighting up Bonfires, and Sops, on the Eve of
the 24th Day of _June_. St. _Patrick_ however, either not knowing or not
minding this Ceremony, lighted up a Fire before his Booth, which altho'
eight Miles distant from _Tarah_, was very visible. It was seen with
Astonishment from Court, and the _Druids_ informed the King, that if he
did not immediately extinguish the Fire, he who kindled it, and his
Successors, should for ever hold the Principality of _Ireland_; which hath
hitherto turn