the purpose of exploring
this subterranean avenue. They accordingly pressed forward for a
considerable time, with much labor and difficulty, and at length entered
into an extensive labyrinth branching off into numerous apartments,
in the mazes and windings of which they were completely bewildered
and lost. After various vain attempts to return, their lights were
extinguished, their voices became hoarse, and, becoming wearied and
spiritless, they sat down together, in utter despair of an escape from
this miserable dungeon. In the meanwhile, the workmen in the adit became
alarmed for their safety, fresh hands were incessantly employed, and, in
the course of twenty-four hours, the passage was so open as to admit the
most active among the miners... On examining this subterranean wonder,
it was found to be a complete gallery, which had been driven forward
many hundred yards to the bed of coal: that it branched off into
numerous chambers, where miners had carried on their different works:
that these chambers were dressed in a workmanlike manner: that pillars
were left at proper intervals to support the roof. In short it was found
to be an extensive mine, wrought by people at least as expert in the
business as the present generation. Some remains of the tools, and even
of the baskets used in the works, were discovered, but in such a decayed
state that, on being touched, they immediately crumbled to pieces. From
the remains which were found, there is reason to believe that the people
who wrought these collieries anciently, were acquainted with the use of
iron, some small pieces of which were found; it appeared as if some of
their instruments had been thinly shod with that metal."

Through various means the fact has been ascertained that although in
the sixth century the buildings in Ireland were mean and wholly
without artistic merit or skilful design, in an earlier age they were
magnificent. Of the causes which produced the decay of architecture, the
extinction of the arts and sciences, and the general degradation of the
people of this island the devotees of St. Paul and of the Romish Church
are alike silent.

For ages after the subjection of Ireland, in open defiance of the
English, the people continued to dispense justice, and to enforce the
old Brehon laws of the country.

The lack of regard shown for English law in Ireland, even as late as the
sixteenth century, is set forth by Baron Fingles, who wrote in the time
of He