145 
its aid several passages in ancient history (Irish as well as others) 
will appear luminous, which are now enveloped in obscurity. 
Il. The Irish had written laws at an early period. 
That the Irish had Breitheamhuin (Brei-hoo-in, 7. e. judges), and 
Reachtairidh (Ragh-ta-ree, 7. e. lawgivers), from the earliest period 
of their history, is asserted by all the native Seanchaidheadh (Shan- 
a-hee, 2. e. historians and antiquaries). The Milesian colony, on their 
first landing in Ireland, were attended by Amergin, in the qua- 
lity of judge,* and the office was never abolished as long as the 
Irish continued to be governed by their own laws. That the Irish 
laws were committed to writing, little doubt will be entertained by 
those who consider the great love for literature, for which the an- 
cient Irish were so remarkable. It is well known, that they took the 
greatest possible pains in committing to writing the records of the 
nation, their pedigrees, and the productions of their bards; and 
surely it is not probable, that, whilst they were so careful in the pre- 
servation of these things, they were so silly as to neglect the preser- 
vation of their laws, upon which so much of the happiness and 
quiet of the people depended. 
There is still extant an ancient Glossary -~ of the Irish language, 
x2 
* See the Leabhar Gabhala, or book of Invasions, contained in the book of Leacan, and 
another of the same name compiled by Michael O’Cleary, and others.—For an account of these 
books, see “ Transactions of the Iberno-Celtic Society, p. p. 114. 186. 189. 
+ Doctor Ledwich denied the existence of this ancient document, as others have denied the 
existence of Irish written laws. The poor Doctor, however, was one of the worst persons in 
the world to rely on as authority, cn Irish historical or literary subjects. He was so totally 
ignorant of our language, that if he had the Glossary before him he could not read or understand 
