170 
Tellach (a household, possessions, &c.), and who paid not the legal 
retribution to the Brughaidh * (Broo-ee), and also for the tres- 
passes of his cattle, or for the waste and offences committed by his 
people. If a Judge were convicted of partiality, or having wil- 
fully pronounced an unjust decision, he was stigmatized with a welt 
or mark branded on his cheeks, as may be inferred from the follow- 
ing extract from the ancient Glossary of Cormac Mac Cuillionan, 
under the word Fers. “ Ferb dan. 7. bolg do cuirther for gruadh- 
« aibh in duine tar nair, no iar ngubreith.’ Ferb, moreover, is 
a blister (welt or seam) inflicted on the cheeks of a man after con- 
temptuous abuse, or after a false decision. Again, in a Law-tract 
in the College Library, which the late General Vallancy mistrans- 
lated and published, + we find the following; “ Bearthaidh Sencha 
‘< cetbrethach bantellach ar fertellach comdarFerba fulachta for 
“ @ ghruaidhe iar cillbreathach.” “ Sencha gave the first decision, 
«“ that female property was equal to male property ; so that he suf- 
“ fered a brand on his cheek, after his unjust judgment.” 
That the Brehons had lands assigned to them for their support 
is attested by Camden, in whose days they were in full employment 
in Ireland. “ The Irish,” says he, “ have their Judges, and they 
«© always have successors, to each of whom a farm is assigned” } 
* The Brughaidh (Broo-ce) was a public officer to whom lands were assigned, for the purpose 
of keeping an open house of entertainment for the reception of strangers, and supplying the 
poor with food, &c. The house of the Brughaidh was the place of general assembly for the 
heads of the Tribe, and here they generally elected or confirmed the elections of their chief— 
Brughaidh was also the title of a public farmer. 
+ Collect. de Reb. Hib. Vol. 3. p. 84. 
+ Britan. Amstel. edit. p. 686. 
