CHAPTER I. PAGE

STATE OF LEARNING IN IRELAND BEFORE ST. PATRICK.

I.--THE DRUIDS 1 Learning of the Druids 1 Religious Worship 2 Sacrifice of Human Victims 3 Worship of the Elements 3 Enchantments 4 Acquaintance with Letters 4 Sun-Worship 5

II.--THE BARDS 7 The Files 7 The Ollamh-Poet 7 Historic Poet 8 Neidhe 9 Ollioll Olum 10 Ossian 10

III.--THE BREHONS 11 Office of Brehon thrown open to all possessing necessary qualifications 11 Morann 12 Their Course of Instruction 12

IV.--THE OGHAM ALPHABET 13 Inscribed Stones 13 Invention of the Ogham 14 Letters of the Ogham Alphabet 15