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different from any that could result from the law of Gavelkind. It 
arose from a long period of near 500 years sanguinary warfare, car- 
ried on by the natives on one side, in defence of their natural rights 
and liberties, and on the other by the English colonists, to esta- 
blish their dominion over the island. It is not true, that the man 
possessed of lands would not improve his possessions, under the im- 
pression that they would not be enjoyed by his children, his relations, 
and his friends, who were to survive him. He was not apprehensive 
that a libertine son or an unnatural brother would exclusively enjoy 
the fruits of his industry : for he knew that his deserving children, 
if he had children, would be amply provided for ; and, if he had no 
children, his tribe, which to an Irishman was no small object of re- 
gard, must profit by his improvements. It is true, that mansions 
constructed of brick or stone were not generally used by the people 
of Ireland; but this does not prove, that they had not durable, and 
even sumptuous buildings for their private dwellings. Whoever 
has read the splendid descriptions of buildings to be found in the 
popular tales of the ancient Irish, must be convinced, that they 
could not be merely the effects of a fertile imagination; but that 
their authors must have had models before their eyes, from which 
they gave pictures, highly coloured to be sure, but which prove that 
they drew from originals. 
By the quotations above given, and the authorities referred to in 
ancient manuscripts, it is apparent, that the customs of Tanistry and 
Gavelkind could not be productive of those evils which are attri- 
buted to them by Sir John Davis, and others, who, without examina- 
tion, have re-echoed his words. The same authorities also give 
us good grounds to doubt the veracity of Sir John’s assertion 
that “ Gavelkinde must needs in the end make a poor gentility.” 
The riches of an Irish chieftain consisted in a number of hardy and 
