A S H ORT H I STO RY O F L I L Y C E T IC PH O S OPH . DEDI CA TI ON

TO MY DEA R FR IEND

S I R A . G L . L . D . S MUEL R KEI HTLEY , A S H O R T H I STO R Y O F C E LT I C P H I LO SO P H Y BY H ER B ER T M O O R E P I M

NOTES BY PR OF . EOIN M A C NB ILL

‘ N E M E S . . FO ULI S W . T P T T D UNDALGAN PR E SS E D I N B U R G H D U N D A L K A ND LONDON B Y THE SA M E A UTHOR .

A VA MP IR E OF SOULS THE MA N WITH THIR TY LIVES THE PESSIMIST SELECTED POEMS UNK NOWN I MMOR TA LS UNCONQ UE R A B LE ULSTER SONGS FR OM A N ULSTER VALLEY

E I I l R M N SCENSES (Short y) . CONTENTS .

I NTR OD UCTION — CHAPTER I . THE CELTIC MIND 9 — I I . THE SOUL OF MAN 19

—T R 1 I I I . HE SOUL OF THE WO LD 3 — I V THE DOCTR INE OF REST 4 1

-T I D S V . HE THEOR Y OF EA 57

— S R G VI . JO HN SCOTU E I ENA 75

— S S VI I . JOHN DUN SCOTU 87

— D S VI I I . BER KELEY A N HUTCHE ON 93

NOTES BY PR OFESSOR EOIN MA CNEILL 1 07 P R INTE D B Y

WM . T E M PE ST , DUNDA LGAN P RE SS ,

D UNDALK. I I NTRODUCT ON.

T seems desirable that a few words shoul d be offered I to explain how this book came to be written . had spent about seven years in the study of philosophy and during a part of that time I Was engaged in writing in dialogue form a work on the Problem of Pain which

was The P essimist. r a r a entitled This wo k, fte m ny r was a and was r d evisions , eventu lly published , eceive r a r w with g e at kindness by the Press . Its m in theo y as — somewhat of a novelty the placing of a doctrine regard e r a i ing th esponse of the inanimate upon logical bas s . This doctrine m ay be set forth as follows

or at r When one is ill , even othe times when con a is r m a v a sol tion much desi ed , y not the isit of r a friend be p oductive of consolation It m y.

The friend m ay not , experience any unusual r r s r the deg ee of emotion , but his p e ence p oduces in t a f r not I t one visi ed feeling of com o t , does it ' S'HO R T‘ HI STORP O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

‘ ‘ ‘ h s o e can Artd .t i : n who is visited describe his feeling of comfort by saying that he received a c an I s a r symp thy , he not It usu l so to desc ibe it .

But could he not receive the s ame sym pathy from a favourite and affectionate animal " He

could . O r from the contemplation of a gift Certainly

O r from the observation of some beautiful flowers"

Certainly .

a r a a ur O r from n obse v tion of n t e Yes . Then this feeling of comfort is an emotion within

himself " It is .

’ And a as al for i the symp thy , we c l it conven ence , a r r m an a a rs and is p ope ty common to , nim l , flowe , r s the wo ld It seem to be .

man a a fl r and r But the , nim l , owe s , the wo ld a r d as r must be in f ien ly mood , it we e They must .

r as a r r s a a It would be e on ble , the efo e , to y th t ‘ there is the s ame sympathy in beautiful things a are as r a s s a th t silent , the e is in be utiful oul th t

Speak So it seems .

Immediately after the publication of The P essimist I was asked to undertake the construction of a history of h a was philosophy ; but t is t sk I declined . It then put to me that my P essimist exhibited certain character istics which proved my competence to undertake the discovery of what was suspected to have been done by ar C a h s v ious eltic peoples in the dom in of p ilo ophy . I protested that the tas k was beyond my powers but eventuall y I agreed to make an attempt at a history of INTRO DUCTIO N 3

Celtic Philosophy which would exhibit philosophical development among the al ert and original minds of that r a ra rema k ble ce . was as n r a r a a It ple i g to discove , fte the ccumul tion an ns a a ri a a of imme e qu ntity of m te l , th t much might be s aid on behalf of the existence of a science which had not hitherto been attributed with much seriousness a al f to the Celts . Cl ssic evidence existed to the e fect th at the Celts had produced original philosophy ; but the existence of any particulars as to the working out was an r a r of such Celtic systems othe m tte . When I had satisfied myself as to the discovery of ’ a ri s a r two of Pl to s doct nes , which unque tion bly we e developed by the Druids without any knowledge of P a a s r r ar r l to , I pl ced thi po tion of my ese ch befo e the learned world in two articles which appeared in the

Scottish R eview for the winter quarters of 1 915 and 1916 . Up to the present no s cholar has challenged my claims as r ar u a set fo th in these ticles , tho gh they h ve been r s r s s encou ra f eely di cussed in the p ess . Thi in it elf is g r a ra r ing . But mo e intim te encou gement had been fo th i r a r coming , when I subm tted the fi st six ch pte s of my r r M N m T r E acNeill . o an as he wo k to P ofesso oin , Times r a can s a i r a r ecently dmitted , pe k w th g e te authority on ancient Celtic matters than Professor MacNeill ; and it was most gratifying to discover a r i r a s . th t he ed no objection to my wo k Indeed , he did me the great service of wri ting notes for the

r a r and for r t . fi st six ch pte s , two notes this Int oduc ion am To him I deeply indebted .

At and a he a a the outset , in ddition to t cl ssic l comments ru ll hi r the on the D ids which wi be found in t s wo k , 4 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PH ILO SO PHY

following statements about these remarkable and learned men of the ancient Celtic community m ay be s ra r a offered for the con ide tion of the e der . The Druids are generally supposed to have been priests but recent rese arch has put an end to this misconception of their

Diodorus a : r r ra functions . s ys They p edict the p efe ble h cri es r s A d things through t e sa fic of the p ie ts . n the following passages m ay be offered to the reader a a s a are r a as valu ble cl s ic l evidence . They he e tr ns r s ra lated as lite ally as po sible . St bo says The Druids profess to know the form and magnitude ar and r a of the e th of the wo ld , the motions of the he vens d s and s ar an . a of the t s , the wi hes of the gods They te ch the nobles t of the people secretly and daily for twenty

ar at a . a u r n ye s time Is it to be supposed th t , d i g this a a u r ar s h c demic co se of twenty ye s , no ystem of p ilosophy was taught " MacNeill had said plainly enough in his Celtic R eli ion was r g , which published long befo e I o n s a r a r r l oked i to the e m tte s , th t the D uids we e not

priests . * Clement of Alexander says The Gauls have their ” Druids but the Celts have philosophisantes . He uses r ra r n a r a s the ao ist which is the sig ific nt . O igen s y Zamolxis oiketes a ra was sai a , the of Pyth go s , d to h ve taught the Druids among the Celts to philosophise on a r an was a ri the Pyth go e method . He ende vou ng to

i t h u t There is m o re n thi s than m ee s t e eye . O side of al ia ransa ina rit ain an d re an n o ru i s ere e v er G l T lp , B I l d , D d w n o n se u en t em ent m eans t at ere th e Tr an sa fou d . C q ly Cl h wh l ine au s a e ru i s the e t s e se ere a e t eir hiloso p G l h v D d , C l l wh h v h p P k o m h as s o n t at th e ru i s ere no t o f e tic phisers . o y h w h D d w C l o ri in bu t ere t a en o er the insu ar e t s ris or ritis g , w k v by l C l (I h B h) i n s fro m th e isla n d abor gi e . INTR O DUCTIO N a for r s ss a ccount thei po se ion of philosophical system . In the Comments of Usener we have this sentence r are a r h l The e lso D uid p i osophers of the Gauls . They say the souls return into another

I should also like to thank Professor Sheehan for his encouragement and assistance and I am very grateful to the Bishop of Down and Connor for a hint as to a l ine of research which unexpectedl y yielded what I believe to be rich fruit .

For s ome time I have been carefully considering in what form it would be best to present my work to the ha a public . I d t first desired to include almost every source of information and every possible reference ; but this would have resu lted in a work composed largely

s t e rs ra is r of footnote . Indeed h fi t d ft of th histo y

Div iciac u s w as one o f the two chi ef m agistrat es (vergobreti) i i r t r n n of the A edu . H s b o he Du m orix aim ed at bei g di ct ator m e r a iv i f s t of th e sa state . Caes a c lls D ic acu s a m an o th e m o rien is osition to ar s the R om an eo e an d to ar s f dly d p w d p pl , w d f aesar i m se o c ons icu o u s onest u stice and m o eration . C h lf , p h y , j d n c asi n a r e r th n n t a a n O n o e o c o D . ppea ed b fo e e R o m a se a e s ss o r o f hi s n m h m a e am a a eo e . u ri thi s isit t o R o e e b d p pl D g v , d th e ac u aintanc e of icero who rites D e Divin ati one 1 1 0 q C , w ( , , 4 , 9 ) a u e di v ination u m r atio n e in barbaris qu idem gentibu s ne ecta est si ui dem et in a ia dru idae su nt e u i u s i se gl , q G ll , q b p Div ic iac u m H aedu u m hos item tu u m lau datorem u e u ote , p q [I q H older an d do not know wh o is a ddresse d here by Cicero re eren c e t o the o r i S o c o nov i u i e t n atu rae ratio n em f w k w ll h w", g , q , ' u am ( v o wk o ca Gra eci a e an t notam ess e si i ro fite batu r q p y pp ll , b p

et artim au u rii s artim c o n ectu ra u aa essent u tu ra dicebat . , p g p j , q f Note well here that the R om ans of the tim e h ad no accepte d nam e for th e science o f sio o icero n in it nec ess ar phy l gy , C fi d g y to e ain hi s nat u rae ratio the ree term of ic in xpl by G k , wh h a t n n f c it is a c asu al t ra slatio . n The biographi cal p artic u lars of D . given by Caes ar a d Cicero show u s h ow high a po sition the Druids held in Galli a ran sa in a an d a s o t at t e ere m en of e u c atio n an d T lp , l h h y w d c u ltu re e qu al to any that R om e at that tim e pro du ce d . 6 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

contains some pages consisting of five lines of text and forty- six lines of notes beneath Nor does this cumber some arrangement admit of the inclusion of all the a r su a ul a ra m tte s which ch scheme wo d m ke desi ble .

dl r a s ars and a My kin y t e tment by chol , the l ck of O s a and pposition to my t tements , the evidence of reliance upon my deductions has led me to conclude that the work should be offered to the public without that immense b arrier which I had raised against possible s critici m .

a ask r a r r r i a I Sh ll my e de s , the efo e , to bel eve th t no statement is m ade for which I cannot produce the best

r authority . The public is f ee to agree or disagree with e rs na s d my p o l deduction . The evi ence upon which s ns are is r a r the e deductio founded , howeve , nothe matter .

It woul d be hard in a few words to convey the amount r s ar r r a r a and of e e ch , jou neying , obse v tion , conve s tion , r m co respondence which this work has involved . If y ar s are a r s r gument ccepted , howeve , my humble e vice to the Celtic p eoples will not h ave been perform ed in F r vain . or it might be s aid that in the highest deg ee

a race stands or falls by its o rigin al work in philosophy . Think of Greece an d R ome without their philosophers as a ai s r al r If , I believe , cl m to philo ophic o igin ity ove a period of prob ably 2 500 years c an be m aint ained by ra r r - n the Celtic ces . thei position in wo ld dig ity will be

increased more than one c an readily appreciate .

Unquestionably the largest remains of ancient Celtic r are a ris thought in w iting to be found mong the I h MSS . And many of my arguments naturally rest upon the INTR O D UCTI O N 7

s r a a r contents of these book . Howeve , in m tte of this a ran has kind , wh t one b ch of the Celtic people done r n r a ra must eflect upon the e ti e ssembly of Celtic ces . A nd it is perfectly evident that the ancestors of the Irish E r r as i a r a Celts in u ope we e , w ll be seen , the f the s of later and more glorious work in the history of philo hi sop cal development . In the work which follows I shall endeavour to proceed in this manner - Chapter I will explain the Celtic a r s and ra r s s mind , le tnes of intellect , gene l p edi po ition ar s a rs 2 and tow ds philo ophy . In Ch pte , 3 4 I shall trace the development of the simpler doctrines s a r and 6 s r r s of philo ophy . Ch pte s 5 mu t ep e ent the dis coveries by whose nature the value of my whole work

u be s na n r b m st te ted , mely the indepe dent wo king out y ’ the Druids of Plato s Doctrine of R est and Theory of

Ideas . The final chapters will be merely expositions of admitted philosophical systems and in the last of these I shal l set out to show how the philosophy of Kant relied upon the inspiration of Berkeley ; and I shall trace the influence upon culture and economics of ran s r w F ci Hutcheson . The wo k will conclude ith r r MacNeill and as s notes by P ofesso ; to thi , I would call the attention of my readers to the remarks therein which exhibit the es oteric system of teaching adopted r by the D uids .

s s an E r In conclu ion , I hould like to th k the dito of the A nglo - Celt for a long and competent article which he recently published on the subject of my conclu sions as set forth in the S cottish R eview . hi s r s r r s fi ra If t p e ent wo k eceives uf cient encou gement , I hope at some future date to offer the public a more 8 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY comprehensive work containing all my original sources of evidenc e and the elaborate notes which have been n I n his r a ars mentio ed t int oduction , so th t schol who m ay care to employ themselves in the department of r a m a a un resea ch with which this book de ls , y be s ved ar r and a r r ra r m a r necess y t ouble , p ope lite tu e y g ow r up to the honou of the Celtic peoples . i Through a m sunderstanding a l arge portion of this work was printed off without a fin al revision of “ r s r a r r r n a p oof The e de will , the efo e , ki dly note th t r rs in a r the wo d Livy which occu twice Ch pte I . “ ’ should be Liv y s . This suggests the rem ark that

’ Liv s rs a R y ve ion of the Celtic s cking of ome (Book 5 , 33- 40) is in su bst antial agreement with my s t atement as a s a s a of the c e , though he cl im th t the Celt cted s E independently again t the trusc ans . In the s ame chapter the spelling of indestructibility is somewh at

a r I I . A n axirnines s u unique . In Ch pte ho ld be “ ” A naxirnenes while in the next Ch apter the letter r has r r r a and a s n c ept into the wo d Fomo i n , e tence should be read Professo r M acNeill in his Notes describes the story of the migrations of the Milesians as

a arn &c . le ed myth , Li The genitive r is used in Chapter V . in place of ” the nomin ative Ler and Dionysus Should be ” VI Dionysiu s in Ch apter .

In Ch apter VIII . exists should be exist the “ ” phrase extinguish the existence should be distinguish ” “ ” “ the exis tence ; and there being should be their ” being .

D U NM D R R Y A NT R I M R B R MO O RE PI M . , CO . , HE E T

lb mb 1 1 . g D ece er , 9 9 CHAPTER I .

E C I I TH ELT C M ND.

S Walter Pater s ays in his delightfully subjective r Plato and Platonism r wo k , , With the wo ld of t al r as wi a r a r intellec u p oduction , th th t of o g nic gene a n a r ar Nat n a . itra ihil tio , n tu e m kes no sudden st ts facit per saltum and in the history of philosophy there are a no bsolute beginnings .

The pursuit of philosophical beginnings seems legiti mate enough their pursuit carried into a region generally supposed to be atmospherically uncongenial m ay cause r r h a surp ise . But su ely t e philosophic lly inclined will be the last to deny the utility of investigation beyond r i r r the eg on of cohe ent philosophical exp ession .

C h r r As to The eltic people have cert ain c a acte istics . the characteristics of this race observed by others we h r ave not an extensive choice of wit ness . Thei n ame was bestowed upon them by the Greeks; and to Hec ata us we are indebted for the first mention of them as Celts . o S this people was first recognised at least about 500 B . C .

9 O R O F O I O SHO R T HIST Y CELTIC PHIL SO PHY .

Herodotus fixes their habitation beyond the Pill ars ” r u s an d ran s r r a s of He c le , g t them the uppe e che of the

a u e Ar s a r s r us D n b . i totle g ee with He odot when he

theii a n ar places dwelling beyond Sp i . We he from him that they captured R ome and in his refreshingly Up - to - date way he associ ates them as a people with militari sm Plato had already in the Laws fixed these

r r ar s s as r n and a no the n milit i t d u ken comb tive . Whether he knew that they possessed a god of mal t

r n B raciaca is u u a r in the pe so of do btf l . Cert in ce e monies of their religion demanded in the worshipper A nd a consumption of imported wine . like the Greeks they regarded the s acred frenzy of intoxication as

for s a m ra n f a something piou d i tio . The e fects of lcohol

s s ar s a a ar s ri mu t , to the e e ly people , h ve ppe ed my te ous .

a h r r s no s for r ar a Pl to , oweve , p ovide excu e thei p ti lity for imported wine * ; bu t he attributes to them mu ch

‘ barbarity when they invaded Greece and sacked Delphi

r in the yea 2 73 B . C .

r a a R and r s a a Thei tt ck upon ome , thei cking of th t a a n u r r s w r city , bout ce t y befo e they be to ed thei a n ns n is r c ns ra n and tte tio upo Delphi , wo th o ide tio , I

in rs shall deal with it due cou e . But if we try to

r s r s r s in Eu r r econ t uct the hi to y of the Celt ope , thei

a own contribu tion is slight . They h ve left u s no parti cul ars in writing ; and their bu ildings have long ago

s a ar r a au s a n ness for r di ppe ed , p ob bly bec e of fo d timbe n a r ar a constructio . We know th t they we e tists of r r r a u s n d r . s an ve y high o de They h ve left coi , thei specimens of bronze work enri ched with enamel are a

P liny shows that they cu lti v at ed the v ine and h ad varieties of vin e o f t heir own raising .

12 SHO RT HISTO RY O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

r a r r r s a trans r we e to give pl ce to pe fect o de , uch fo mation would amount to almost ce rtain proof of their

philosophical character .

A s r a n an is a r r philo ophe mo g y people fo eign g owth .

He is as rar as a ri m an in a e ghteous the Cities of the Pl in . And when we c ome across a race whose mind is considered a n ra s r s a by the inf llible ge e li e to be unphilo ophic l , a s s a s a and s r it lmo t become duty to inve tig te di cove , ss s r a a s a s if po ible , ome t ces of pecul tive oul by whose

x s n r a a m a a e i te ce the eput tion of th t people y be s ved . It is fortunate for us that in Ireland there exists an ancient literature and tradition of such incredible dim ensions that one would fear to describe its bulk

s o ne s a u s r ss a ra le t hould be cc ed of g o ex gge tion . In this literature is contained the gre at myths with which

I shall de al in due course .

fiThe Greeks had their myths and their folklore ; and how closely related 18 such a n ame as Pythagoras to the

’ r a r a r m er s st e m of om nce which flowed f om Ho pen . A nd what is left of the writings of Pyt hagoras "

N n a r u r ar a ar othi g not wo d . S btle em ks begin to ppe in w a rs a a the orks of utho who lived fter him . Pl to takes care to s av that he derive d his Pythagore an doctrines not from Pythagoras bu t from the Pytha gorean s

" a ras s as s r his ra rs g Pyth go him elf , de c ibed by biog phe , m a a s s a r u s r if we y c ll them uch , t nds out befo e mo e

a u r r and ar r an as a like fig e of wonde une thly powe , th

s r was s on A l his s was philo ophe . He the of po lo fle h luminous at times the servant of Apoll o came to him

r r - f om the s k y ; he possessed the powe of bi location . THE CELTIC MIND 13

He had intimate converse with the inanimate waters a a P r . r tha utte ed his n me Indeed , th oughout the ges , y goras has come before us under divers n ames and in a a a ras sundry pl ces . Wh t we know of Pyth go is what an r a u m P ha we know of y fine he o in ny s btle yth . yt goras at Crotona teaching his strange doctrine in an air r ha d a r a r of m s as r an s d . yste y , the me u e t tu e of D ui a ra as a r A the Pyth go s luminous figu e , the child of pollo , r a ss r m i n a r f iend of celesti l me enge s , in co mun o with n tu e , r r a r a a n the is ep oduced ex ctly in eve y det il in Cuchul i , r a s r t g e te t figu e in Celtic my hology .

But c an we suppose so great a miracle among the Hyperborean Druids as an entire absence of philosophy "

s s a r u or Faith in thi in t nce is neither eq isite n necessary . For C aesar assu res us that the Druids t au ght the im

r a . s s a and mo t lity of the soul . They di cus , he s ys , impart to the youth many things respecting the stars and e r s r s n r th i motion , e pecting the extent of the U ive se and ou r Ear r s nature o thin s r th e pecting the f g , especting ” r and a s r al s r o the powe m je ty of the immo t god . St ab a a indestructabilit mentions th t they t ught the j y a r a r and as a r a r of the m te i l unive se I sh ll p ove l te on , by one of the ' few pieces of di rect utterance which have

a r s r come down to us , they held doct ine clo ely esembling a a r a r r P tha th t t ught by Be keley . Like the dmi e s of y ra in s B u t s go s they believed metempsycho is . thi point in particular shall be deal t with by me at considerable r r nd n ar length . Of the D uid manne a co duct we le n from Diodorus Sicu lus that they are not a talk ativ e

and are r ss n s s as people , fond of exp e i g them elve in enigm , so that the bearer has to divine the most of what they w l s a ou d y. 1 4 SH O R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

r r r r a n s a n t The e we e , the efo e , ctive mi d mo g the Cel s

s a s u a n Bu t r devoted to philo ophic l pec l tio . befo e we

s r a r s s u a r s con ide the n tu e of thi pec l tion mo e clo ely , it is ve ry desirable to study the people among whom the

s is ra And r u t growth of philo ophy to be t ced . th o ghou

u s n s a n as r r a r a the s b equent i ve tig tio , I su e the e de th t he will find it to his advantage to retain in his m em ory

a r as ss r ara ri s as vivid pictu e po ible of thei ch cte tics .

Porcius Cato is pleasantly brief when he says of the Celts that they have a devotion to rem militarem et ” u argute loq i .

I have already mentioned the sacking of R ome ; but besides this there is much military activity to their

r s r r s a r c edit which would uppo t Po ciu C to , if he we e n for ar m n alive and i clined gu e t . I n the third century

h r s n s r a a B . C . t is inte e ti g people wept ove the B lk n peninsula and settled down quietly under a repu blican

nt in A s a r n a form of governme i Mino . But this i clin tion ’ rr r s r r and sr ar to ove un othe people p ope ty , di eg d the

n s a r s in s ar a s was feeli g of l ndlo d even tho e e ly d y , not a s n a n ra r ss A que tio of inclin tio , but the of nece ity . bout this time the Germanic races had fou nd ou t the value

r n and r ss n n r m r ar as of I o ; p e i g dow f o the no th , med

as s m s s as s I n well the Celt the elve , they isted some r r a u E r as u . me e , to b e k p the Celtic mpi e

The qu estion of Celtic m ilitarism is most interesting a d in r an r a a n n I el d , whe e the Celt is c p ble of bei g con sidered i r a s a an a n s a r w th the g e te t dv t ge to the i ve tig to , there is clearly a trace of definite m odification in the n s r an fighting insti ct of the people . The Celt in I el d in ara s ri s a r u u a n lived comp tive ecu ty , ve f om nd e tte tion THE CELTI C MIND 15

on the part of some neighbouri ng prince of his own

ra u f r r n as R an ce . He s fe ed f om no i v ion by the om s ;

s off an a n s he hook the D es , who h ppe ed to vi it him ,

ara had n s r a with comp tive ease . He one of the pi it of Norman the Teutonic power had never disturbed his

a For war had rr rs and pe ce . him the god of few te o the horror of life under a conqueror had never been passed as a nightmare s tory down the years from gener

a n ra n so a n r tio to gene tio , th t men might be e ved to

r ar s c ss a as rs a eg d u ce ful inv sion wo e th n extinction .

h r a ali s C On the ot e h nd , the fighting qu tie of the elt a r a and a s ar lar the of Scotl nd , I el nd , W le in p ticu , in field of battle are too obviously excellent to require r a And as a fin a s r a p oof in det il . l ob e v tion it might be said that the Celt has always placed brave deeds r h in the s afe custody of his s agas . The swo d as been the m ain theme of his finest stories ; but with this devotion to the sword there has gone a strange com

an — an n a an - a r alis or p ion i clin tion to ti m te i m , the r setting of principle befo re the chances of conflict . The e is the spectacle of Maev and her army kept at a ford

u a n was s a by Cuch l i , though time of immen e v lue to h her . A a a n t e g inst Cuchul in she se t , one by one , h s her s she a r c oice t of knight , when might h ve ove come him without trouble Simply by marching forward with her arm s ns a e r ie . She chose i te d to put etiquette b fo e mere force of arms . And by so doing She has provided us with a contribution to one of the finest hero tales an an a a r Maev . s in y l gu ge In th t e pect , though de a r a r r ri fe ted , comes fo th conque o . The Celt is victo ous in his devotion to honour and the polite usages of

‘ at war m a an be gentlemen , though he y m y times ( 1 6 SHO R T HISTO R Y or CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

a a a r r for r r incap ble of cl iming me e victo y b ute fo ce . In alm os t eve ry case the Celt gains the spiritual victory n a n a a s al if his e emy h ppe s to h ve g ined the phy ic . The fact that the Celt has given approval to the s aga of Cuchulain in the Tairi B o Citailgne is enough for my s s r a a at purpo e . The hi to ic l v lue of the episodes the ford is of no consequence but in my opinion there is more histo ry in the story of Cuchulain than most people r ar to r a . s im gine Howeve , it is unnece s y ely upon the case of Cuchul ain alone for there are other evidences

a - a r a war of the nti m te i lism of the Celt in time of . We can cite the o ath by which the Celts bound themselves to a r a A a r r r t e ty with lex nde . He e is the wo ding If we fail to keep this covenant m ay the sk y fall upon and r s u s m a ar n and a us c u h , y the e th ope sw llow us , a sea r and m y the pou out and overwhelm us . The men of Ulster abou t ten centuries later used a similar on a are u r oath the field of b ttle . We th s b ought to the C abhorence the r eltic of infidelity , by which st ictness r n r is as s is the of thei code of ho ou emph i ed . This classic ex ample which was mentioned e arlier in this r — A 0 c a 0 B . C . h pte bout 4 , when the loosely con structed Celtic Em pire had reached a huge level of

r the R m a s a ar r a h powe , o n pp ently ente ed into le gue wit the R u r Ambicatus Celtic le , Livy , with the object of r v f r a crushing the Etruscans . The scheme p o ided o simultaneou s attack u pon Etruscan territory by the s r N r and ans r Celt f om the o th , by the Rom f om the s r a s A s South . The Celt pou ed down the p sse of the lp a r The R a r r nd r . f om the no th , p oved the victo s om ns were apparently astonished by the power of the Celts and when the victory became known to them they THE CELTIC MIND 1 7 a a ur r r a dopted c ious , though f om thei own st ndpoint

li The C had a u s ra . C s de i ble , po cy elts l id siege to l ium and R ome appreciated that such an important place would be s afer to remain in Etruscan hands ; for the Celtic possession of that stronghold would deprive R ome of a s afeguard agai nst interference from barbari an a r i tr . r r a ibes We h ve , the efo e , the cu ous spect cle of the very amb assadors from R ome who had s carcely c a ri the ompleted negoti tions with the Celts , ente ng ranks of the besieged Etruscans to prevent the down fall of Clusium . The Celts demanded s atisfaction from R ome for the tr a r her a as sa r r e che y of mb do s , the th ee sons of Livy

Ambustus C f . R r s r , hief Ponti f ome efu ed to conside the a and a a r sa a dem nd , dded sting to the efu l by m king ar r the Fabii milit y t ibunes . In consequence of this the Celts are said to have shouted to the defenders of Clusium We are bound for R ome " and promptly to have

a 8 B . a 1 0 C . the b ndoned the siege . On July th , 39 entire available military force of R ome was drawn up to C ar and R a r was meet the eltic mies , the om n powe a a ar r r A a i a of nnihil ted ne the ive lli , w thin few miles he And f r a ar t city . o ye the Celts possessed what r a R m a r r r had a d em ined of o e fte thei honou been s tisfie .

h s r r a T i episode dese ves some thought . It eve ls a a r a ur people keenly sensitive , whose pp eci tion of hono was surely out of keeping with the rough usages of ancient a ar h m a r . be w f e T is sensitiveness , it seems to me , y ’ accounted for by the fact that among the world s races the al the C a n r a ethic sense of elt is b o m lly developed . It am hi - hi r and e is ong t s quick t nking , sh ewd , sensitiv people that it is my business to trace the beginnings of and d ra and r a n philosophy its elibe te dignified fo m tio .

20 SHO R T HISTO R Y or CELTI C PHI LO SO PHY

ar had r a Incredibly h d thinking been done befo e Pl to .

nrere a is A a a r Anaxi In time his pl ce behind n xim nde . m a ras E s A a a ra ines , Pyth go , mpedocle , n x go s , to mention A nd s r a few breakers of new soil . he him elf a ose in the age of the Sophists So one might suppose that he could with s atisfaction have done work which in a A s reality he beque thed to ri totle .

h a are Gor ias P haedo R e ublic P haedrus W t the g , , p , r a s a n a r i r a but ecept cle cont i ing , mong othe th ngs , g e t myths " And what of the Timaeus It contains a half- mythical study of the cosmos ; it describes the

“ a d s a ul r n . fo tunes de tiny of the hum n so Its object , as I have remarked is to suggest the infinite importance

m an a a r ra . r at to of m king ight mo l choice So he e , our s a are r the beginning of inve tig tion , we conf onted with the fact that the greatest of Greek philosophers presented his philosophy at times in the form of myths r t ru s we can a r and s Fo he Celtic D id cl im no mo e no le s . a a i r a Pl to , h v ng chosen his medium , exhibits ce t in is s In Vi theories of metempsychosis . This con oling ew O f the fact that Diodoru s s ays of the ancient Celts I" I The opinion of Pythagoras prevailed among them a r a s s as r th t the immo t l oul of men p s into othe bodies , ” and in a a r a a a ha I limited time cqui e new nim tion . T t (the Celtic Druids taught such a doctrine of philo sophy s r is ar i beyond dispute . The e no Celtic schol who denies this conclusion and behind me I have the opinion of a MacNeill r a N and Hyde , Sheeh n , , Meye , Tol nd , utt , as a s a a a r l t , but by no me n le st , th t fine Scottish utho ity , r M acCu ll ch a r t D . o , besides numbe of competen men a a whom I h ve not n med . It is my business now to trace as far as possible the r a s w r and as oun . em in of this doct ine , how it exp ded THE SO UL or MA N 21

There is a variation of the common theory of metempsychosis to be found in the myth of the Tu atha

Dan ann . a n A De The D m i dwelt in the vicinity of thens , and there learned the arts of necromancy and enchant K a n s s ra s ment . e ti g gives the epi ode which illu t te the variation I have mentioned By their extraordinary witchcraft they used to infuse dem ons int o the dead bodies of their armies to put them in motion when the r a s r r a r r Sy i n , howeve , pe ceived th t they we e the co pses of those whom they h ad previously slain in the field of a a a ai s da b ttle , th t fought g n t them , the next y they r r ri s s a s ente ed into council with thei own p e t , who dvi ed them to drive a stake of mountain - ash through the corpse of every one of those who used to revive against and a a er b them dded , th t if they w e quickened y ns a n r n worrirs demons , they would i t ntly be co ve ted i to , a r r a r s but th t if they we e e lly evived , the bodie would ” a n a rr a s a not dmit of i st nt co uption . If emph si be l id u pon the word drive so that it m ay suggest a forward n the a u n as a moveme t , mbig ity of the concludi g p s ge

d s a ar . r r r nal r i ppe s On efe ence to the o igi , the di ection is clearly to spear with a stake of quicken - tree (mountain ash) the trunk of every person who would be rising ” is r a a e u a a . ss o p g inst them It po ible , h weve , th t we h v here an origin for the system of driving a stake through r r a the bodies of c iminals . It will be remembe ed th t in the preceding chapter I said that it would be of assist ance to retain in the memory as vivid a picture as possible

ara r s s for s add of Celtic ch cte i tics . The neces ity thi r monition is evident at the present stage . Befo e we proceed to consider the ques tion of metempsychosis a u r r s mong the Celts , we sho ld ecollect the wo d of 22 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

Diodoru s Siculus They are fond of expressing s s n a a bearer has them elve in e igm s , so th t the to divine ” a i a the most of wh t they would say . Just n p ssing it m a s r O r r y be well to con ide the pinion of one w ite , w a r Mr s al a s . . R olle ton , ith whom I Sh l h ve to di g ee ” ra s ra s a s was ar T n mig tion , he y , not with them p t

r r . a ra of the o de of things It might h ppen , but in gene l

a s a as s s u it did not . In sen e , I h ve no b i of di p te with at l a r s , l M . R r was a olle ton If the doct ine held , th t is s for a and as quite ufficient my c se if , seems evident ,

was a n a r r . a t it tive g owth , so much the bette We c nno r aesar r as an war corres m igno e C , howeve , intelligent p dent unhampered by the censor The princip al ’ oint aesar a r r s a p , C s ys , of thei (the D uid ) te ching is a u s r s and a a r a th t the so l doe not pe i h , th t fte de th it ” a s r a r a s a p s es f om one body to nothe . I s ume th t

’ ’ r s a ara r M . R olle ton s ple ding is of a special ch cte . He desires to defend the Celt against a charge of plagi ar

r. ism . And such a defence is required owing t the inclination on the part of many ancient writers (not of necessity contem porary with ourselves) to ap pro ach the Celtic race in the spirit of the question A Na zareth potest aliquid boni esse P It is su fficient for me th at these ancient writers recognise the val ue s a r s s a an of uch theo y of metemp ycho is mong y people , and a s r o s th t owing to uch ecognition , the hyp the is was —I am r R s n a invented quoting M . olle to th t t had ar r n r a ras hey le ned the doct i e f om Pyth go , who ” r r s a an av a r a ep e ented it in ncient tiquity . We h e l e dy examined how far Pyth agoras himself m ay be s aid to ra r have represented anything of a definite cha cte .

a 6 . 0 a A st tement of Valerius Maximus (VI . 1 ) pl ces THE SO UL O F MA N 2 3

a us on firm ground . He s ys : They are anxious to

r u a u s a s s m en are m a pe s de th t the oul of im ort l . I should be inclined to describe these trouser- wearing as s their ri n r s a as people fool , if doct e we e not the me ” - a r that of the mantle clothed Pyth go as . In the doctri ne attributed to Pythagoras there is the concep tion of a purgatorial journey through bodies of lower am ra a animals . I unable to t ce nything of this kind a n mo g the Celts .

Val erius Maximus goes on to tell u s that the Celt would actually lend money on a promissory note payable

’ ’ in the next stage of the soul s existence I don t doubt

A n ro and n - it . ge e us imble minded people would thu s disgu ise a gift . This is one of the best examples of the ’ ” s on ss fo r r ss s in n a Celt f dne exp e ing him elf e igm s ,

Here is a quaint case of metempsychosis expressed

a al m ac a a othad enigm tic ly . Finn Cumh l defe ted King F

r n r D. r r r ar in the thi d ce tu y A . Ove th ee hund ed ye s later the Irish prince Mongan is believed to have m ade a wager that he cou ld prove the exact Spot where Fothad a l r Keel a . s t was died He c l s up the pi it of , who the actu al slayer of Fothad and Keelt a describes the place

r a and c n n s n a r of bu i l , the o te t of the tomb . The fte

a n r s s v a u a n r a the Celtic m n e , he give mo t l ble i fo m tion

a ar n . rn n n an s a s by d k hi t Tu i g to Mo g , he y We were with thee . And to the as sembl age he s ays We were with Finn coming from Alba

” ’ u s M n an n r a s— r a nc ra H h , o g i t e t p ob bly to e ou ge him to proceed And lest those present shou ld fail to under an a has n r a M n an n n s st d wh t bee eve led , o g co ti ue ”

is r n d s o a s r . M n an It w o g of you to i cl se ec et o g , of 24 SHO R T HISTO RY O F CELTIC PHILO SO PH Y

rs is r a at as re- arn a cou e , eve led once the inc tion of the m ac a mighty Finn Cumh l .

a is r a a s r s Luc n wo thy of quot tion , bec u e he exp es es i rs . . . s a r (Pha i 455 ) the belief of the Celt in futu e life . r ou s a s ar a r F om y , he y , we le n th t the bou ne of

’ an s s not s n a s Er u m exi tence is the ile t h ll of eb s , in another world (in orbe alio) the spirit anim ates the

rs . a r r r is c r membe De th , if you lo e be t ue , but the ent e

of a long life .

There is evidence of a pathetic clinging to the bodily r and an a ar r a n in fo m , pp ent ce t i ty the mind of the bereav ed that de ath me ans no mere acceptance of a r ghost anatomy . It was a common cu stom to bu y

arr r in his war s u ar and a i the w io clothe , f lly med , f c ng the region from which enemies might be expected to

was u s a r a a and come . He th pe petu l men ce to them , at a And s s s ns n kept them b y . be ide the e u leepi g

n ls r ar r s r senti e , eceived into the e th , yet p e e ving those

r its s r ac a a m ani n war who t od u f e , we h ve th t co p o of ,

r u r n s u a in love , eq i i g , it would eem o t ct the

’ next stage of the soul s eternal life Celtic graves the bodies of men and women were frequently laid clos e

ac r O n n ra arm to e h othe . the openi g of one g ve the

al r a of the m e skeleton enci cled the neck of the fem le .

I have already mentioned the enormou s volume of

ra r s s in a r Celtic lite tu e which exi t Irel nd . P obably the

s s s ar - na- H eera c m a olde t of the e book is the Leb , whi h y

n in R a r s A c a s o was be see the oy l I i h demy . Thi bo k the work of a le arned scribe named Mailmu rri Mac

K r in A n a n s ellehe , who died the bbey of Clo m c oi e in

’ ar 1 the ye 1 06 . Professor M ac Neill S third note in the THE SO UL O F MA N 25 a di h his r m r a ppen x to t is to y , ight well be e d in con junction with what I am about to describe in the case of a pagan legend which has filtered through the cautiously designed fil ter- bed of a triumphant Christi r hi in r a is anity . The wonde ful t ng I el nd how much of the ancient pagan ideas an d habits were permitted to

s or ra h r r n r ora a li exi t , t e , we e i co p ted into the d ily fe r of the Chu ch .

I t ' rem ains to consider the interesting legend of Tuan ac ar r Du n are M C ell f om the Book of the Cow . We r a a an r s a info med th t S int Finnen , I i h bbot of the sixth r set v rsrt a r a na a centu y , out to ce t in chief med Tu n who lived within easy distance of the monas tery at

Mo ville over which S aint Finnen ruled . The unexpected

rr as s a a s a n i n ri s occu ed , it seem lw y to h ve do e I h s fo r a re s O r a myth Tu n fu ed to pen the doo to the bbot , an ac t hardly in accord with the tradition of Celtic a a n ar a hospitality . With the Celts hospit lity w s i v i bly

r r is m a r for s s a exe cised . The e unli ited utho ity thi t te

n Stanihu rst i s r as a me t but w ll e ve witness , when he sa n san s hos it al issimi e s ys Su t e homine p , nequ illi a re a s ratificari a s o ac ull in m gi g potes , qu m vel p nte ” o a eorum m es r a s v lunt te do f equent te . Well , it eems that S aint Finnen was undisturbed by the unexpected behaviour of Tuan and he s at down on the doors tep with the intention of em ploying against the inhospitable c iar a a as as a a s hief the pecul we pon of f t . He f ted g in t a for an r n a r Tu n enti e Su d y , which p oved too much n for a a an r was O n eve p g chief . So the doo pe ed to the a n and r and an u s c a S i t , the victo v q i hed be me excellent

r a r s nas r f iends . S int Finnen etu rned to hi mo te y in

a an an due course . To the monks he s id Tu is 26 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHI LO SO PHY

an a d m . n r excellent He will come to you comfo t you , ” s r r and tell you the old to ies of I eland . This promise was kept and afterwards Finnen and his monks visited as his a and a the chief . They ked him n me , he g ve a

ri a r . s a a his n cu ous nswe Then he went on to y th t u cle , Partholan was r r a , the fi st of men to settle in I el nd . He therefore claimed uncoun table age and related

in s r was m an s r how , thi dim pe iod , he the only to u vive a r a s in Ireland fte terrible pe tilence . Thus he came a r a r r s now to w nde lone ove the count y , vi iting the

a ss r r s s and as s r r r ten ntle fo t es e , p ing f om ock to ock is s a for fear of the wolves . In th de ol tion he existed f r n - ars he a and r o twe ty two ye , until bec me feeble ve y s s N a arr a old . Hi cou in emed eventu lly ived nd took a a s r possession of the l nd . Tu n de c ibes himself as

a r and r a s a possessing long h i unt immed n ils . He ys he was ra u r and ul r n s g y of colo , unclothed f l of w etched es . n saw his s a r And whe he cou in he hid his f ce f om him . In the fullness of time a change came over Tuan for

la n s as an m an and rn n he y dow to leep old , when mo i g a was n r old had a s a c me he no lo ge , but the body of t g . was a a and ar s a I young g in , joyful of he t , he id . In this mood and bodily form he composed a song which his ran r a and a told of t sfo m tion , of the coming of new r n N an people , the child e of emed , to the l d . They a ard r an r -two and s iled tow s I el d in thi ty Ships , of them when they set out there was upwards of a thousand souls and of these only nine survived the perils of the

a was a an as n all r voy ge . Then it th t Tu , ki g of the dee

r an a r n s s n in I el d , w tched the g owth of the colo i t u til there were in the land eight thous an d and Sixty men d all s s r and . An s women thi people my te iou ly died ,

2 8 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

r s a place fo them elves on the Shore . They overcame the obvious resistance of the Tu atha De D an ann ; but a r had r s and the l tte me ely become invi ible , continued

to possess the land . Tuan finally recognised the old s m tons ra s r a n and a a r ar a y p of t n fo m tio , he cted in em k ble as r s manner he f ted fo nine days . Thi might be cl aimed a r a n I n an a to represent pe iod of expi tio . y c se he was

a r u rn a r al rewarded by et to hum n fo m . I sh l not r s s a r da his p es thi expi tion theo y . On the ninth y of a and a in r a a a he . f st fell sleep , woke the fo m of s lmon For many days the fishermen gave him little peace and was at as a and arr a ar he l t c ught ; c ied , pp ently a a a ar still live , to the wife of chief n med C ell . The ” a a s es r and ate rs wom n , he s y , d i ed me , me by he elf , a her s h so a . i r w ole , th t I p ssed into womb He bo n ’ r a d s u n i s . in due co se , believed to be the chief son

u a a s a The legen d of T n is by no me n lone . I could cite

” a n r rs A a s umbe of othe . common me n of becoming a a a was an s hum n g in to be lodged in the body of in ect , and s a an act r n w llowed by some wom , in the of d i king ’ r c an a s r a s r n a s wate . One lmo t pe ceive t uggle o Tu n

had n a r s and a r ar . n su p t He bee ki g of bi d , of ety , ar s n o an s c his he could h dly de ce d to bec me in e t . So r ad s a a al n a was a s r mothe h to w llow s mo . Th t eve e ’ s for an r s an P rtholan s te t even I i hwom though a wife , r r s an one c as at as r the fi st I i hwom , on o c ion le t , p oved herself capable of avoiding an impossible Situation

’ s ad an n ss a s K a s . H ( e ting Hi t I , Tu bee le mbitiou he might h ave claimed good precedent for ac cepting

o a r o r a a r- and the b dy of wo m w te beetle , he might r a r have chosen to float in a stronger beve age than w te . I n anv event he wou ld have been in better accord THE SO UL o r MA N 29

s r s s No a with the Celtic to ie of metempsycho is . w wh t are we to conclude from this story in the Book of the r a a s ri Dun Cow . It is p ob bly the invention of c be to account for the current knowledge of the numerous t invasions of Irel and . But I think it is more than tha I think it represents just what a Catholic monk would wri te down with comfort to his soul on the subject of a c c r s c r a the n ient Celtic do t ine , which the Celt e t inly held in full meas ure before Christianity caused them a A nd has n ar a to ab ndon it . the monk bee c eful to m ke the transformations take place in the case of one indi

’ al and r a al s a r vidu , du ing th t individu life not fte his a s is ha all r r de th . Thi just w t we find ove Celtic w itings this is the manner in which ancient philosophical doctrines of the Celts appear after they have passed t r through the orthodox fil e .

s a set r r a a of I h ll out to p ove , howeve , th t in the c se c r s ru the sublime do t ines of philo ophy , which the D ids / ar e r s r was no took c e to embody in sote ic myth , the e f r r An a such necessity o filte ing . d there h ve come down to u s cas kets which can be O pened only by the a a key of adv nced Pl tonism .

The Celtic belief in metempsychosis h ad its effect c c a U pon ondu t . On ccount of this belief it was usual a s a n r s s and n to b t i f om fle h , egg , eve milk . Though

’ wh s a a e y milk hould h ve been included , I c n t quit a im gine .

r and as r rs r an When the thi d l t conque o of I el d , the

a M a s a r a her s r s one m mythic l ilesi n , pp o ched ho e , of the A rirer in a a was r a a ra g , g ve voice to wh t p ob bly f gment 30 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

a r s a l r for r of D uidic philo ophic l itu gy , holding the t uth , yet revealing it not

I am the win d which bloweth u pon the sea I am th e wave u pon great waters I am th e bu ll of s even battles I am the eagle on th e r oc k I am th e lion for c ou rage m s a m on in th I a a l e wat er .

And as and r w ar Er he his people d e tow ds in , they

r r r . For a as a r a a b ought no fo eign lo e Tu n , g e t e gle sea n ss r m s r of the wit e ed thei co ing , him elf the ve y r a r a . p e rsonific tion of thei itu l

a s r s s u s as wi s n a r a s ar W le fu ni he , ll be ee l te , with imil ’ r r expression of man s powe of being parts of the u nive se . And my own thought on this subject is that these claims of the Celts to have been a wave or a living creat ure ar or air are r s n n on a of the e th , litu gie i te ded to c t in an a ts a r ri s . For c n r i th ee doct ne I poi t l te , in pl ce , to a Druidic claim that m an is the m aker of the cosm os which is an enigm atic expression of idealism and there is also the possibility of reading from these u tte rances direct expressions of a belief in transmigration and in m the doctrine of the anima u ndi. A ER CH PT III .

THE SOUL O F THE WORLD .

’ 0 com plete Celtic myth of the world s formation has

u r a s s infor s vived . We h ve di jointed piece of

a n A m a u s a a m tio . rvello cask was given to wom n by

. a a she r God Being wom n , could not pe mit it to remain u nopened and from this cask the world received its a r i r r em able s . r s r o s a dis c w te The e , mo e les cle ly , in this myth the obvious philosophic al conclusion that — ’ a divine curiosity and curiosity is woman s possession r a s r a n a a s s eve l the fo m tio of the e rth . Wom n eem to

a r di a n a s a r h ve been c e ted with h vi g cces to double wo ld , while a m an of science had access to one only

a a a r a r c a r Th les t ught th t the unive s l p in iple is w te , ” or a a wh t might be termed the fundament l element .

The close relationship between m an and the earth in Celtic mythology m ay be illustrated by the creation 31 32 SHO R T HISTO RY O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY of the first m an from four elements his body from the ar his r sea a r e th , blood f om the , his f ce f om the light , and r a r his b e th f om the wind .

From a gloss to the S enchus M or is it clear that the Druids comprehended in their te aching the s tatement that they themselves were the m akers of the is a ffi u s a i r s ra It di c lt y ng , but wo thy of con ide tion , because ou r Druids in their own language of enigm a woul d clearly convey a doctrine which could hav e gained

for a ra r r is a them the dmi tion of Be keley . But the e modifying power in growth of any kind and this early doctrine of a Celtic ide alist seems to have held its place r a r m s s a hi unde mo e ho ely di guise . We eem to h ve t s modified thought in the attitude of the Tu atha De Danann in apprehending the real world and Setting a u r a r had r bo t the inhe it nce the eof . They ove come ignorance (the Firbolgs) and evil (the Fomori ans) they — — left to the Milesians the men of everyday mind that

w r r nar m an o ld in which the o di y believes .

In Celtic folklore there are instance of a deliberate

a ar r - s s s ction on the p t of some wo ld con ciou nes , when the weary are reviv ified with the unfailing strength of the ar s is r a r e th . Thi something mo e th n the me e restfulness which a sensitive and troubled m an finds in a a r or his cont ct with n tu e . Once twice in life when , r a s a r and ar r b oken by f te , he is full of de p i s , the mou

There is preced en t for s u ch a t erse expres sion of philosophic octrine We a e t h e first - ru it s of Lac e aem onian is o m d . h v f d w d , M an know thys elf an d No thi ng in ext rem es as qu oted P at o P rota oras and the oct rin e o f P r oto oras as by l ( g , d g em bo died in th e phrase M an is the m easure of all things T eaetetu s ( h , THE SO UL O F THE WO R LD 33

his is s r off n a n s of soul t ipped , mou t i s full of olitude — give to him a mess age of com fort a benediction from M m n ac ne e is Ear r . a is a v rthe h th othe Th t com o pl e ,

a r c s m a B u t r less p e iou com onpl ce . the Celt p ofessed ’ ri r an s as r Ear s n to expe ence mo e th thi me u e of th bou ty .

n a Cru c - Ma r r is a s r Upo the mount in top of u the e epulch e , and they that kneel thereon shall be we ary no more

For the C elt his own s oil has ever been the most desir

- ar a s able resting place . When the e th cl ims him a her u ra his u s r own , she wo ld emb ce d t only in the egion * as r s s n a r a r where it w formed . I i h noble dyi g b o d we e r s and r a r r n ejected by the oil , thei shes we e d ive by the

i ar s s r a r a w nd tow d the ho e of Irel nd . Until they e ched

a s a r a rc and r th t i l nd they we e sou e of evil , blighted t ee and a u r and n at a pl nt pon which they ested ; the l st ,

n all ar s r r and had whe the p ticle we e come togethe ,

ar a u a . mingled with the e th , the de d fo nd pe ce The lines composed by the late General Sir Willi am Butler prove that Celtic tradition changes little enou gh in the course of ages — Give m e j u st six - feet -thr ee on e inch to spare O f ris soi an d di it an ere I h l , g ywh , And for m y Sou l r epeat an I rish prayer A o e th e s o b v p t . Let it be i ere c ou an d m ou nt ai n m eet h ll , wh l d , O r a e ere ro s th e t u te m ea o -s eet v l wh g w f d d w w , ’ O r oreen tro easant s s o e ess eet b , d by p h l f , ’

I t m att ers n ot .

r a ar s r an a no for Ce t in p t of I el d h ve love women .

r a u Cre or I nishnamee h ar The e is the isl nd of Lo gh , e R r a u o c m a can A nd c r a osc e , p n whi h no fe le live e t in a r r s r s w te s p e erve f om evil those who wim in them.

See note 1 a en i , pp d x . 34 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

Go where you like in Celtic countries and you will find a a r s sn ss a a an inclin tion to tt ibute con ciou e to the in nim te .

Almos t all Celtic wonders are of this n ature . In

r an s a was and r ar I el d thi inclin tion developed , the e ose a pretty custom of associ ating man with the arts by r r s r a a o n fo n n s r . giving him poet y o g ce to He is ,

r not n a ar s is s urr u n howeve , o ly child of the t , but he o ded by a world of objects composed of no mere dead matter and s s ar a n r h the e object , being p t of livi g wo ld , ex ibit ’ a r s a something of th t wo ld consciousness . The bo t of

’ Manan a Mac Lir n a an s s and n k ew m thought , would

a r r s r r as s r s il whe eve he de i ed . The e w the wo d of n ar Mor c san Lia a n Co y , whi h g the F il , Stone of Desti y , which cried out fo r joy when it felt the touch of a true

’ A s in r a a ra king s feet . l o I el nd there h ve been st nge mourners for thos e in danger or for o ne who is dead ; a s a cr s rr and a r and at w ve h ve ied with o ow nge once , as r a s s r s and a le t , in I el nd , tho e mo t p eciou intim te m an s s a sc ar a r r co p ion , the book of hol , c me fo th f om r s an d la a was a for thei shelve , y he ped , when he de d , r sorrow U pon the floo .

a his Timwas a r n Pl to , in , developed doct i e of the

r A s a n a r a n s . r wo ld oul comme t to , Plut ch is incli ed to lead unsuspecting readers astray for he claims that it is unnatural to extract from the text a theory that

a r a s a Pl to believed the wo ld to be etern l . Thi st tement is sound but it in no way interferes with the fact that a a r n r Pl to t ught the doct i e of the wo ld soul . In con sidering the question we must remember that to Plato there is no possibility of the world having begun in time for in his opinion time an d the regu lar motion

and r r r are nse ara . s o de of the wo ld i p ble Confu ion ,

36 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO S O PHY

ar ar d a a r of this p ticul metho of Pl to , f iled to cove up their doctrines with much that could be calculated to leave the unhearing uninstructed . An example of the intelligence of inanimate objects s r ar a a r i given in the sto y of the h p of the D gd . In thei retreat before the Tu atha De Danann the Formorians carried with them the harper of the Dagda with his a a d a r har . u a n s and p L gh , the D gd , Ogm pu ued them , r Formorian a a r ente ed the h ll of fe sting unobse ved . r saw ar s s a a s a The e they the h p u pended g in t the w ll . a a a ar and r him The D gd c lled to the h p , it ushed to ,

r ria s a r s killing nine Fo m o n on its w y . The wo d of the D agda when he called the harp Show an extraordin ary ’ blending of the world s personal experience (if one migh t all as Ear r s n for so c it) , though the th found exp e sio its ra s as r ru s t vel of the e ons , th ough inst ments of mu ic a d a a r n so communic ted its feelings to m nkind . Fo a r a so S ran rs a m an or an wh t is the e th t t gely sti , even a a as s " A nd s s an nim l , mu ic how hould mu ic be y thing but the whisper of the Earth -mother to her child Here is the invocation of the h ar p Come apple r u r r r a r arm sweet mu m e , fou ngled fo m of h ony , come Summer come Winter from the mouths of harps and ” pipes . The death drama of Cuchulain contains many details which are of value as showing the intimacy between the ar and s r a a e th men upon its u f ce . Cuchul in , the mighty r a ss u r am Hound of Ulste , the knight of st inle hono , c e at as his a A ra r a r l t to de th . ven pe ched upon his ch i , and a ar His a a c lled him to w . m ntle held him b ck ; at as r r but yielding l t to his st ength , the b ooch which a and di bound it bec me loosed , fell upon his foot , woun ng THE S O UL O F THE WO R LD 37

is a the flesh . H wife entre ts him Heed now the a ri nd A s h s warning of f e . he mounts i chariot his a a for r a his and rs we pons f ll g ief bout feet , the ho es weep At a r a a tears of blood . fo d the w ters ppear to run is cri mson with blood . When he wounded unto death an r and a ra r r s n a r otte ven come , the one ep e enti g w te ir and r a r his . a the othe , to d ink blood Then , so th t he m a his s ra s ight die f cing enemie upon his feet , he st p

s a a ar- n a him elf to t ll pill stone . Whe de th comes , Cuchulain heaves a last sigh and with the greatness of t a s the ar- was s as m a h t igh pill stone plit , y be seen u nto this After this manner was a heart of " a l s e a s tone broken . In l thi we s e belief in the con ci usness a r h r is n an a s o of n tu e . T e e no Sig of ttempt

a s - r ar a a to pply logic to thi belief . But it is em k ble th t the Celt in all ages has accepted in various forms the a doctrine of the world soul . I t lked this matter over i r s r a and a an t w th P ofes o Sheeh n , he g ve me excellen e a has r a his x mple which he el ted fully in one of books . He and some friends were discussing over the fire a c r a C r a f u ious loc l phenomenon . e t in cli fs in the neigh bourhood r the a s a rd echoed in tu n sound of w ve , cco ing r a a a had to the wind . Of cou se the loc l expl n tion existed from the ages before history and this explanation was offered quite suddenly by an old woman who seemed t a a r o a a . . h ve been p ying no ttention to the conve s tion a as it r and s a a in She w kened up , we e , id Wh t is a and a a are the cliff but the cl y , is it not of cl y th t you ’ a a r a n is a of D . m de Th t , in Sheeh n s opi ion piece r r and a an r pu e folklo e indic tes intelligent exp ession ,

A t R athidd Knoc k ri e Co ou th y b dg , . L . 38 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

an r ra s r n h ded down f om gene tion , of the doct i e of the

world s oul . It is possible th at in this chapter a su perflu ity of folk lore m ay h ave caused in the minds of some readers a s a For is s a subconsciou in ttention . it obviou th t in r a a s arr its or e ding book one mu t c y to the end title , some subjective image which will keep us attentive to s is a s a d a the subject . Thi book of philo ophy n I h ve not hesitated to demand of my re aders that tension of mind which the proper understanding of philosophy r r s r a rs m a a s equi e . Some e de y h ve een much in this chapter which they cou ld suppose might be related

s a r r a anima a ndi to philo ophic l doct ines othe th n the m , or s al r at all Es a to no philo ophic doct ines . peci lly to a ra s a a Ar those who h ve t velled by the fe p th of istotle ,

- . as A a and Neo as r St Thom quin s , the Schol tics , the e m ay seem possible the argument that many of my examples could as usefully be applied to the projection

r a n a a r a of pe son lity i to in nim te objects . But e lly in pursu ing the course I have chosen I have excellent a ae ar r ar s a all a s as s r comp ny . C s em k th t the G ul e t that they are descended from Dispater and this they sa has a r r y been h nded down to them f om the D uids .

s a r was od n r- r Di p te the Celtic g of the u de wo ld , the r r sou ce of fe tility .

a n n the r I h ve employed , in con ectio with litu gy of Am er in a f r r a ubain g , method di fe ent f om th t of De J had n r r a ville . I do e this , indeed , befo e e ding his r ar a s m er n r c r n em ks . He t ke from A gi me ely the do t i e a s a s u of P nthei m , which he pplie to John Scot s but I Shall bring this point to the notice of the reader when s r his a we con ide John Scotus in pl ce , THE S O UL O F THE WO R LD 39

I have alre ady used Am ergin for the purpose of illust

a n s s s as s n s r r r ti g metemp ycho i , ome of his li e efe to

a and r are s a for s a rans r r . t mig tion , othe s uit ble thi ch pte The selection of those lines which are suitable for the present doctrine is a simple matter I am th e win d that bloweth u pon th e sea I am the waves u pon gr e at wat ers am th e so u n of the s ea I d , am a r a of the su n I y , am th e n est of ant s I fi pl , am a a e in the ai n I l k pl , am the c ra t of t h e artificer I f , am the s ear - oint t at i et att e I p p h g v h b l , I am the go d that c r eat es in th e heart of m an the fir e o f

t h ou ght . Who is it that enlight en s th e assem bly u pon the m o u nt ain s if n ot , I Wh o t e et th e a es o f th e m o on if n ot ll h g , I Wh o sh ow eth t he a c e er e t he su n oes t o r est if pl wh g , not I

Amer in is not a e for n r ar g lon ; the Sixth ce tu y b d ,

Taliessin s r a ra s r a s sa s , in de c ibing m ny t n fo m tion y I have bee n a grain disc o vere d Whic h grew u pon a hill A n d a h en rec eived m e it m u c a an d rt in o W h ddy l ws pa g c m b .

And in the K at Godeu. the poet declares

I ha ve been in a m u ltit u de of Shapes e o re as su m ed a c onsistent r B f I fo m . s s u s r a r a ar in air The e , he tell , we e Swo d , te the , the s s ars a r a n rs a dulle t of t , wo d mo g lette , book , the light an r s a r in a r a s r ra of l te n , d op Showe , wo d in the g sp

a a a a s r n a ar a of the h nd , Shield in b ttle , t i g in h p , s n in fire in r And po ge the , wood the cove t . then , as though unable to express the vagueness of his incon

s s r s c m s ss s r i tent fo m , he be o e quite hopele ly ob cu e For a space he becomes intelligible I have been a c r oo ke d bill-hoo k that c u t s a e een a erocio u s s ear I h v b f p . 40 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

Thus we discover definite traces of enigm atically expressed p antheism in the literature of Wales and n a ra r r fin d n r a . I el nd It is tu l , the efo e , to Joh Scotus , s a a s r a s in a a who mu t h ve b o bed p nthei m his n tive l nd , a a a s r - ttr cted by the p nthei tic wo k of the pseudo Dionysus .

That Wisdom had her place in the he art of the Earth Si en ss Sinend is told in the legend of n d. The godde ’ a r a a a Conla s went to ce t in pl ce n med Well , which is

sea— at a ns ar r below the the found tio of the e th . He e r r s a s ra g ew the t ee of wisdom nd in pi tion .

I n a s n m a s a a s ac was a r a d p s i g , one y y th t p e pp eci te a and a d a a a as r a an n . el tive , th t de th life w lked h d in h nd Plu tarch as well as Procopiu s cite an unknown writer and are a a r n s one s r we told th t , cco di g to the Celt , t oke

’ o ar and one u r s a at are of the , ho voy ge midnight s ufficient to trans fer the de ad from Europe to their

s a . n s s a n t e de tined bode I deed , it eem th t the ight a s as it r s rc c an ri n r at le se , we e , ome fo e which b g g e i Spaces nto cont act . CHAPTER I V .

THE DOCTRI NE O F REST .

VER a a s r s a s a r r g in t the wo ld of flux , y P te , whe e hi all n s s a not ng is , but thi g eem , it is the voc tion of Plato to set up a standard of unchanging reality “ The philosophy of motion identified itself with a vicious tendency in things and thought and Plato seemed to c onceive that the ultimate boundary of ch ange was ar s a an s evil . We could h dly suppo e th t y people hould s a a ra r r e c pe conside tion of this kind . The e is eve y r and in all a a rs ara whe e , ges mong thinke , the decl tion , vaguely or deliberately uttered " Here we have no continuing city : bu t we seek one Christianity h as a r e rn a a n . dded the wo ds to com , ete l in the He ve s

for a a r in P hecda ra s Though , th t m tte , the Soc tes tell a r r n a ar r of the f i egio , bove the e th , whe e the undying souls of them that have sought after truth and done t s a a jus ly h ll bide . 42 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

Certainly those who did the thinking among any u a r people wo ld be on the Side of Pl to , of thei own

s r ra r a Heracleitus . A nd c an de i e , the th n with we suppose th at s o sensitive and acute - m inded a people as the Celts wou ld leave u s without som e record of their attempt to s olve this most absorbing problem " We

a h s a m in s r of Tu atha h ve t i tte pt , I believe , the to y the anann and s s r De D tho e with whom they t ove . The Tu atha De D an anu stand out between active evil which

is s Form ori ans and a n ran obviou (the ) , ctive ig o ce (the Firbolgs) on the one side and activity which is harm

ss and i u s M s a on r le obv o (the ile i ns) the othe . The Tu atha De D ananu represent in the Celtic mind the r an and an n r a s pe m ent unch gi g e lity , invi ible to the eye ,

behind the passing Show of life which deceives the eye . r s a a s a nd all They , thei bodie , minds , h bit tion , they r n r r possess neither withe o g ow old . To them SO as to

s s r a or r become one of them elve , no Fomo i n Fi bolg m a bu t s am n M a s r r s y come , ome o g the ilesi n , who ep e ent m a oodness and s n . lg obviou k owledge , y dwell with them U Professor M acNeill in his appendix to this book

s r s M s a s as a arn a a de c ibe the ile i n le ed myth , f ct to which I have already called attention but its im h portan ce here s ould be noted . am s s a r n a a I con ciou th t the fo egoi g cl im , th t the hitherto inexplicable invasion m yths really represent the teaching of the Druids on the su bject of the Doctrine

R s is a r a a . a r of e t , g e t cl im We know th t the D uids were philosophers and we know their method of teach

h a a r r s eschato ing . T t they conce led thei doct ine in the logical myths is evident from what C aesar has s aid of them and that they embodied other doctrines in the

44 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHI LO SO PHY

non - x a Well , but the e istent could not be c lled some n rar r a one thi g it might , on the cont y , with the g e test

truth be styled nothing .

Just so . But to the non - existent we were constrained to

ra and assign igno nce , to the existent knowledge .

‘ tl And righ y . Then neither the existent nor the non -existent is the object of opinion

l l

Therefore opinion c annot be either ignorance or

knowledge .

Apparently not .

s r s so as Then doe it lie beyond eithe of the e , to

r as r in r a n or su p s eithe knowledge ce t i ty , ignorance in uncertainty .

r It does neithe .

n n n n as The tell me , do you look upo opi io something “ u s a n r u m n s an i nor more d ky th n k owledge, mo e l i ou th g ance

Yes is s r n S0 s i n s r r . , it t o gly di t gui hed f om eithe A nd does it lie between these extremes

Yes . Then O pinion mu s t be som ething between the two Thes e positions then bein g laid down I shall pro ceed to interrogate that wo rthy m an who denies the existence of anything abs olutely beau tifu l or any form of abstract beaut which or ever continu es the same and u nchan e y , f g able thou gh he acknowledge a variety of beau tiful THE DO CTRINE or R EST 45

— a lover o si hts ann n r objects th t f g , who c ot e du e to be a a is and s and so on told th t be uty one , ju tice one , of

r —R e u blic 8 the est . ( p 47

This may serve to draw a student to consider whether in these myths the Tu atha De Dan ann were not placed r a r A nd S a n s . s m in the cent e , of fixed pu po e to u t i y * r c n r t s m a s r d fi st o tention , thei my h it elf y be con ide e ’ a r s in the light of Pl to s Doct ine of R e t .

Sufficient has been s aid to indicate the char acter of

’ a anan a s r m ark a the Tu ath De D n . Tu n e th t they are the source from which all wise m en in Irelan d are

s prung is suggestive .

As a a r a r r arr a in r a d we h ve pp eci ted , befo e thei iv l I el n a s ra ar a s r a s there h d been eve l riv l . The Fomo i n seem a r r rs to have inh bited the count y f om the fi t . They a a represent the powers of evil nd ch os . A nd in the legend of Tuan sufficient has been s aid for my purpose

r ardi P artholan and N a or s a e eg ng emed , who by de th di e s m r r s r r s s . The we e , with thei people , wept f o I i h oil

r s r a not r an " are Fi bolg , howeve , h ve left I el d They

sa d a s a s r s and are s s d i to h ve been l ve of the G eek , uppo e

a s a r r as a rs and d to h ve e c ped f om thei t km ste , foun

a O r r a s a their way to Irel nd . pe h p they c me from

a as Nennius sa s . a n is a Sp in , y Sp i with him convenient equivale n t for the Celtic words denot ing the a r s arr and a ar land of the de d . The Fi bolg ived m de w u r a s and r nor h pon the Fomo i n , d ove them to the t

as r . I s i i a r m t co t , whe e they dwelt It S gn fic nt f o my poin

’ at w e ar e ea i n it u re m t s see A re u tt s Th d l g w h p y h , lf d N - i o B an ii . r em ar s on Ti ernm as n Vo a e r 1 6 8 . k g , y g f , , 7 46 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

of vision th at the Firbolgs had an e asy t ask in driving

rs ar n ss r an a - e the powe of d k e f om the l d ; he vy witt d ,

u and s s in the ri u a s ns bl nt tupid of oul , evil , Spi t l e e ,

f m was r s cou ld e fect the but little . It othe wi e with the

Tu atha a anu m o r ans r a De D n , to whom the Fo i p oved

a At an ra r s r e n men ce . y te the Fi bolg we e divid d i to

r r u s : Fir- Dom nan and th ee g o p the Bolg , the , the lioin all n n for n n as r s Ga . , k ow conve ie ce Fi bolg They represent lack of intelligence and n atu rally m ake no

ar a s r in c ara er rem k ble ti Celti mythology . The ch ct of

and n r ri ha a a s c servility i fe io ty s lw y lung to them . r s ns m a in n a re The th ee divi io y , the Celtic mi d , h ve presented the three degrees of a lac k of intelligence ’ c d a s u an . r ss t pidity , imbe ility lun cy I don t p e the ’ it s r s r n point but wo th con ide i g .

Tu atha a anu en n a r an The De D n , th , i v ded I el d , was a r s and Fonrorians which inh bited by the Fi bolg the , r n r c as r e rs a on the ext eme o th o t . If one ememb wh t

Tu atha Danann r r s n r n the De ep e e t , thei comi g will

acc ara r a in a seem in ord with their ch cte . They c me magi c cloud ; and it is common enou gh to describe a ” r as n c u s philosophe bei g up in the lo d . 1. The Tu atha De Danann came from the Wes t and r a r u a A l a s a a r thei le de , L gh , Celtic pol o , l o c me fte them r arr f om thence . When the cloud in which they ived had sa ar r sc r as n di ppe ed , they we e di ove ed by the to ished r n an n r s Fi bolgs occupyi g e t enched po ition . This needs n r s n s n a s no comme t . The Fi bolg the e t wh t eemed s —a s r n m an a arr r a r n — be t to them t o g , w io n med S e g to

a s n Tu atha s a a interview the inv der . A d the di p tched

r s n ri a a cu iou , though ki gly , hyb d mong them , n med

r a ass a r r s . B ess , to meet the mb do of the Fi bolg They THE D O CTR INE or R EST 47 set about the exam ination of e ach others weapons with

s his am n a r a ac a gre at intere t . T ex i tion eve led the f t th t t he we apons of the Tu atha De D ananu were light and s parp - pointed ; while those belonging to the Firbolgs a and n r a an we re m ssive blu t . He e we h ve evident

c n ras c r attempt to o t t s ience with brute fo ce .

A n d now com es a proposition on the part of the

Tu atha D an ann c in m O n n s De whi h , y pi io , put the

n n n u . r was i tentio of the myth beyo d do bt The e , it

s no n c ss for nfli n s r seem , e e ity co ct betwee the e two fo ces ,

s u as r r s n r s u if t pidity , ep e e ted by the Fi bolg , wo ld

c n s its m a ns A nd r ss r on re og i e li it tio . B e p oposed behalf of the Tu atha De Dan ann that the two races

an a shou ld divide the l d equ lly between them . They t n c an a ns and a a r he ex h ged we po , w lked b ck to thei

r s s . I n r r s as u n r r e pective people othe wo d , I wo ld i te p et a a n s m s r ar it , e ch g i ed o e light p elimin y knowledge of

’ e s r th other powe .

r s r a a r a n n s r The Fi bolg , p ob bly fte ex mi i g the lende

ar u as was a ra i n u spe , tho ght , n tu l , l ttle e o gh of the

Tu atha anan and r u n u s r . I De D , ef ed the offe Spite of hi s s r as u s i an c r m elf , the philo ophe , the c tod of the do t ine

nc an r a m s a war u t . of u h ging e lity , u t be , if he wo ld live A nd he su ffers by the conflicts which are forced u pon

for in a nsu Nu ada r him the b ttle which e ed , of the Silve

an a n s s na n c au s his an was H d , g i ed thi de ig tio be e h d

r off in h and r a one m a s r st uck the fig t , epl ced by de of ilve a u n n arti cer a a Tu atha by c n i g fi . He w s the le der of the

Danann and a u ra r n De ; n t lly the Fi bolg ki g , who led his rc s one Erc as s ai n A a s n i w . s r su fo e , , l e lt of thi co fl ct , r s r use a mm n ras u t the Fi bolg we e , to co o ph e , p in 8 R 4 SHO T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY .

r a . a thei pl ces They were allowed to go to Conn cht . No mention is made of Hell

As a m s m an c not n r a ble i hed ould be ki g in I el nd , Nu ada of the Silver H and was ineligible ; and the

amann s r ss son a ananu a Eri D cho e B e , the of D wom n , , ’ w s a r a a r ss r ho e f the s identity w s mystery . B e p oved

r a a er was . w s r unwo thy He hyb id . Th e in him

m r an and was r ss and c Fo o i blood he opp e ive , ommitted the n ar n a Sin a s A ar n s u p do ble of nigg rdline s . pp e tly uch a as ri n s u s a c e of mixed o gi was not hopele s . It m t h ve

n on m an m s his r ra depe ded the hi elf , on ight mo l choice , and his ra c r had s r a gene l condu t . Fo Lugh ome Fomo i n his a a n i on ss . blood , own dmi ion It is poi t l ke this

r a s n r a a r which eve l the i t ic te n tu e of the myth , which ,

r i a s n is r r nc howeve , l ke Celtic de ig , p oduced on the p i iple of su btletv allied with a deliberately constru cted and

arm n u s s u r ss had s h o io cheme of tho ght . But B e cho en ra r a r n a a evil the th n good . He p oved i hospit ble to poet A nd recollect what poetry means in Celtic

" A S n rs r Cor re one mythology i gle ve e f om p , of the n u r c i And s r K r s r h s r . i j ed poet , fo ed ing B es f om th one

Nu ada now racu s r a real a , mi lou ly p ovided with h nd , am an n . n ranc m a r bec e ki g Ig o e y disto t , but c not perm anently destroy the truth

r ss n su r and she B e the con lted his mothe , told him a his a r was a r a in n a E a a th t f the Fomo i n k g med l th ,

h ad n h s a her r ss set who give i ring as pledge to . B e ou t r and E a a r c n s n a with the ing l th , e og i i g it , g ve him an ar rs ar n ss r r r an my of the Powe of D k e to ecove I el d , and sent him to seek aid from the chief king of the

r a s one a r E E e . a r ss ss Fomo i n , B lo of the vil y B lo po e ed THE D O CTR INE or R EST 49

this surname because when he looked in anger upon any a m in his ra his a s n . one , g ze lew the u h ppy victi ge He

was a and rr n u a a n r huge ho ible i divid l , who h vi g g own

s s a his r n — a feeble , mu t need h ve d oopi g eyelid im gine — his size thus suggested with exquisite restraint l raised by pulleys so th at the death - dealing gaze might effect

iv el s his s y mite foe .

’ Even du ring B ress reign the Tu atha De Dan ann had apparently su ffered from the Fom ori ans while under Nu ada they seem greatly to have desired a cham pion

r as r rann who would ele e them f om the ty y of evil . The plain intention of the myth so far makes particular

o m n n ss ar Bu t r is ar a c m e t u nece y . su ely it cle th t we a in s s r a s a mn a a r ss h ve thi to y t te e t , enigm tic lly exp e ed ,

’ that the philosopher on the world s level exists in no ri or r At s a in s a secu ty comfo t . best , he mu t h ve , uch a a a r s r condition , pl ce of esc pe f om the evil of the wo ld , r e o on strong enough to deliver him .

' u hav e al read n n n arr L gh , whom I y me tio ed , the ives ,

: r r an A and the Hype bo e pollo led by him , wisdom

' and a r ctive evil come to g ips .

r ss on o f a or r s u and s a am as B e , S B l , o e p id I ton ished that the Sun rises to -day in the West while every a other d y it com eth forth in the East . And the wizard m en of the Fomori ans answered him and s aid Wou ld that it were the Su n which rises in the

Th e est is th e e tic E siu m th e re ion of er ection to W C l ly , g p f , ic a m ort a i n li e onl m a att ain an d a in r eac e it wh h l f y y h v g h d , if h e st e u on the eart a ain h e in sta nt is t u rne t o ashes p p h g , ly d , or ec om es o er n n Th e m an wh o c o m re b ld tha any livin g m a . p hen ds what philosophy h as t o o ff er m u st regar d the eart h as du st an d hi s body as a c overing whi c h c annot possess p erm anent v alu e . 5 0 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

A nd r s s a n he B e s que tioned them , s yi g It if not the

ra ou a a n r n is Sun , tell me , I p y y , wh t m n e of thi g it A nd the wizard men s aid unto B ress It is the ex ceedin r ss a g b ightne of the f ce of Lugh , he of the long

arm . The coming of this Hyperborean Apollo to Tara of the Kings is Clearly meant to prove that the Tu atha Danann n r c r r s n m all De , whe pe fe tly ep e e ted , co bined

a was and r su r r s re re th t good , we e pe io to the highe t p ’

entation a s r a n . s of m n powe , ki g

Nu ada n a r a a While the ki g held g e t fe st , one of the door - keepers observed that an unu su al company was

a n ar a ac A and r dr wing e to the p l e . young p incely r r as at a s a wa rio w the he d of thi comp ny . When a n a his a as son Cian s on ch lle ged he g ve n me Lugh , of , an Cecht and E n a r a r As of Di of th e , d ughte of B lo . no one might enter Tara who had not the mastery of

r ra was a a is art a t o r s h . some t de , he ked to n me I

a r s a bu t no am r . w ight , he id , they needed w ight

a a s bu t no s r I m mith they needed mith . In tu n s r s as a a a ar r a s r r r he de c ibed him elf ch mpion , h pe . o ce e , a s a a cu - ar r a ra r n phy ici n , p be e , b zie But they eeded s n s a ra n u r none of the e . The id Lugh I p y you e q i e of the king whether he possess es one m an having a all ar s c a a knowledge of the t whi h I h ve n med . If in ” a r su c a o e a r ara his comp ny the e be h n n I sh ll not ente T . The King on he aring of this sent out all the Chess bo ards in the palace but Lugh overcame e ach of the a rs r And a r s r ass pl ye in tu n . fte thi victo y Lugh p ed n ara r r K ar a n r i to T by o de of the ing , who decl ed th t eve had s a an r a a A r u r r uch m ente ed the p l ce . fte f the ’ r Lu h s s Nu ada ar a in p oof of g kill , decl ed th t him he

52 SH O R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

there they found three kings of the Tu atha De Danann A t r awaiting them . this moment the Tu atha De we e in triumphant possession of the earth ; they had n r n ra and r r r ara r co que ed ig o nce evil , the efo e thei ch cte

was a s . r r s are r r m nife t Thei th ee king su ely T uth , a and r re re Be uty Justice . In conflict they me ely p

r and h d . sented pe fection , a only one king Without mu ch ceremony the Milesians ordered the Tu atha De Danann to hand over Ireland and consider t s a r s al r at l hem elves be ten . Me e phy ic fo ce c ose ar r ar u its A qu te s yields to no g ment except own . fortiori the ordinary every - day m an of the world has little respect for such trifles as O pinions lying mid wa n ra and and has n y between ig o nce knowledge , eve less respect for such distinction as Socrates bestows P dru and m ni e hae s m ania a k . in the upon Well , the Tu atha De Danann asked for three days in which to

s r r ss u r s r a con ide th ee po ible co ses . The e we e to le ve r a n a r or a I el nd , to submit to the i v de s , to give b ttle

u rs s a M s a l as ra r co e which ile i n mind cou d e ily g sp . The e were two additional courses of action which the Tu atha De Danann were prepared to choose on their own a r e a s r ccount , these being to ove come the Mil si n by thei s or a a s s a as in r wi dom , , if th t f iled , to pos e s the l nd , ve y

r s ss a was ss the t uth it could be pos e ed , th t to posse su bst n and M s ans a ce give the accident to the ile i . They r r a ar r and r s r the efo e ppe ed to be gene ous , ent u ted thei a as s a am M ans am f te , it eemed , to poet ong the ilesi , n ed Am er in a is s a Am er in ro g . Wh t followed ignific nt . g p nou nced the first judgment th at h ad been delivered in Ireland Wh at does this mean " Surely that a r a r r n a judgment by Fomo i n , the ep ese t tive of evil , THE DO CTR INE or R EST 53

a a r r r n a was unthink ble ; by Fi bolg , the ep ese t tive of I ra was ss and a Tu atha gno nce , impo ible ; th t the De

a a u r r r am a ar D n n ep esented justice pe fect in itself . I w e a P artholan r a a r a a th t the fi st inh bit nt of I el nd , p ssed hrs s r a s r r a K a judgment on e v nt (Hi to y of I el nd , e ting , d a s i 1 61 E . . , , ) This f ct help to confine the ’ a a Amer in was r st tement th t g s the fi st judgment , to the n ra i had a a r E . th ee existi g ces . v l lw ys existed But s all a r s the first Irish ettlers died . Then c me the Fi bolg Na ra ra r an a . to empty l nd tu lly igno nce , in the wo ldly r S ecu sense , p ecedes knowledge The possibilities of p a are nl lation thus indic ted u imited . Amergin decreed that the Milesians must not take r r and his r r r their foes by su p ise . He people we e the efo e ra a s a a r s r to withd w to di t nce of nine w ves f om the ho e , and then to return and if they overcame the Tu atha De Danann the lan d was to be fairly theirs by right of r s r conquest . To this p opo ition of thei poet the

s a s a r and ar r . Mile i n g eed , they emb ked in thei ships Instantly the Tu atha De D ananu made war upon them

in r an r . r a a thei own m ne They fo med m gic tempest , a ra s a s r r a nd i ed mist which ob cu ed the sho e . They lso reduced the island in size so as hardly to be visible from sea ar a a was the . Who but they could decl e th t sp ce relative The Milesians were no match for the Tu atha ama r as r t De D nn on thei own level , it we e , so hey as cended by proxy and A ranan was sent to the mast a see n r r ex eri he d to if the wi d we e blowing the e . The p s him a ment co t his life ; but in f lling , he shouted ” r r a The e is no sto m loft . Then among the Milesians a poet naturally took the ha d a d r r . An le d , he who utte ed the fi st judgment 54 SHO R T HISTO R Y o r CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

Am er in a r s s a r g ch nted the wo d of his philo ophic l litu gy , a a r a r which we h ve l e dy conside ed . The wind im

a and r s r r r ar s medi tely fell , the p ow we e tu ned sho ew d . It is worth noting that the effect of the liturgy was m E r a M s a r r ss ined by be Donn , ile i n lo d , who exp e ed himself as eager for complete slaughter of the Tu atha

ann s was r and r rs Dan . r De The to m enewed , p oved wo e

a r Ma s r r and rs th n eve . ny ship we e w ecked , of cou e , ’ a n E r a a a in mo g them , be Donn s bo t Pl to t lks the P haedr us of those who have lost their wings but yet possess a memory (capable of being awakened by a a a n s sight of be uty) of wh t they o ce beheld of Wi dom ,

a and r s a a s . r c an Be uty the e t , bove the he ven The e be “ a ar little doubt , I think , th t in this le ned myth of

s a s r s a Am er in s the Mile i n , the D uid intended th t g hould r r s one s a r an d ep e ent of tho e who h ve not fo gotten , who

are r r s m a s . As a , the efo e , in y p thy with philo ophy poet a n a a he w s in co t ct with be uty . In due course the chastened remnant of the Milesians l anded at the mouth of the Boyne and a great battle r s and r followed , in which the th ee king th ee queens he Tu atha Danann r s a n an r of t De we e l i , with m y of thei s it s s r s s r people . Thu , eem to me , the D uid de i ed to indicate that the sovereignty and visible powe r o f the

a a a s a Tu atha De D nanu had v nished ; nd the Mil e i ns possessed that portion of the e arth in which the

r ar a a was r o din y m n believes . But the defe t me ely an a ar a a an pp ent one . The people of D n did not yield a r a n inch in re lity . They me ely bec me i visible to the s a s And r a r ar eye of the Milesi n . f om th t time fo w d a r i a r r n s a and a r . the e existed two I el d , the Spi itu l the m te l Up to the present scholars have found in the Milesian THE DO CTRINE or R EST 55 myth a stumbling block no one has been qu ite satisfied as to wh at these people are supposed to have represented A nd r a r as . r t in the myth of the th ee inv ions fu the , least one writer has confessed to the difficulty of in terpreting the invas ion myth on account of the ap pearance of the Tu atha De Dananu in two distinct

ara r . f l a ch cte s The di ficu ty in these c ses seems , in my O n ar s r a a r r a n pi ion , to i e f om the f ct th t the inte p et tio as a a h not been ttempted on philosophic l lines .

CHAPTER V .

I THE THEORY O F DEA S .

VENTUR E to hO pe that my remarks on Celtic esch atology in this chapter m ay justify the intro r s a duction of the subject . The wo d e ch tology suggests

a r is h n has dogm . But if the e one t i g which been considered more certain than another it is that no m an is on safe ground who waxes dogmatic concerning Celtic r a a A s n beliefs touching the afte st te of the de d . e tence from the Apology of Socrates would be a suitable intro duction to an excursion into the eschatologi cal region of Celtic mythology If I claimed o n any point r an a s sa h to be wise th nyone el e (he id) it would be t is , th at h aving no adequate knowledge of things in Hades so I do not fancy I know .

I have satisfied myself that the Celtic myths are c apable of expressing theories which are by no means 58 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

n a and c an ras r nar transce dent l , which be g ped by the o di y

are s r a ar r as n . mind . They clo ely el ted to h d e oni g ’ That being s o the Celtic myths were after Plato s own heart ; for the neo - Platonic notion that myths should be used to symbolise truths beyond the grasp of reason a a his r is foreign to Pl to . Pl to in five of wo ks uses the myth as a vehicle for the presentation of truth but in

ra r r a u and in its r r a gene l he eso ted to di log e , p ope pl ce f u s r u . ed the myth with wonde f l e fect The Celt , on the

r a r ss his a r a othe h nd , exp e ed philosophic l doct ine in

and was a s u s r a n r myth , willing th t it hould th em i bu ied

r r a r s ru out of sight of the c owd . If I we e sked to econ t ct

s a n m r s the sy tem of te chi g e ployed by the D uid , I would suggest that during their wonderfu l academic course of twenty years the pupil would be tau ght among other

n s r a n r n s s and n a thi g ce t i doct i e of philo ophy , the t ught how these might appropri ately be built into their

s c respective myth . These myths woul d be ome the common property of the outside pu blic and the initiated

And n a m an r r pupil . of the uni iti ted , one who d ew fo th a m a r the me ning out of the yth would be , to the m ke s and r r rs a r ra an a p ese ve of th t myth , mo e desi ble th

r a and a r a . multitude di ectly t ught , violently pp eci tive

a n u se r s his But the Celt , by m ki g of myths to exp es

s a r r u s har philo ophic l doct ine , b ought pon him elf the c ge of possessing no philosophy . I think it well to call a witness who expresses exactly a is ss ar and a at s wh t it nece y , wh t I Should myself thi n s a r ar a s as poi t like , to y eg ding the st te of the oul ’ r a a desc ibed by Pl to . I don t feel th t it is possible to improve u pon the summary provided by Professor A a r as r E . n is . s . T ylo The yet u embodied oul pictu ed

SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY what happens at one of the times of incarn ation su c ceedin u a r r r g pon the close of pe iod of et ibution . The a s r r r r ar a ssembled ouls , some etu ning f om ew ds in he ven for r a ar a r the good deeds of thei l st inc n te life , othe s

' ascending from a purgatori al prison house (both here and in the P haedo Plato provides for the unending punish ment of only one or two hopelessly bad malefactors

a ssa s al , are r be r r on colo l c e) , muste ed fo e the th one of a s and hidden s a for s a the F te to choo e , e ch him elf , life

r a r s are a r f om numbe of live which pl ced befo e them . Later he says A c cording to the tas tes and dis

of d v a s and r positions the in i idu l oul , to the deg ee of wisdom they have derived from philosophy or from r a r and s a expe ience , they m ke thei choice , thi , once m de , i r a n s s i recover ble . I thi process a s oul which has inhabited some human body m ay come to be incarnate a a a a s a n s o r in th t of some nim l of qu litie ki to it elf , v ce versa a c has as in an an a bod i , soul whi h dwelt l t im l y m a c a a a n at its n r y be ome th t of hum n bei g ext bi th . It wou ld be well at this stage if the reader were to re ad ’ r a s r s r for s and has th ough Pl to glo iou wo k him elf , if he

f a r a r a n r . r a or n e d it , to e d it o ce mo e Ce t inly , yone a is n a ar s c rs s to whom Pl to u f mili , thi ou e would be mo t

s ra for al a f r es r ns de i ble , though , I h ve o fe ed d c iptio of ’ a s s s are so an a s Pl to myth , the e bound up with lmo t supernatu rally brilli ant process of re as oni ng that it is

u n a r set s s . P haedo f i to them by them elve The , The Gorgias and the P haedr u s shou ld c ertainly be read as a complement to the exposition of Celtic philosophy is a u f r in s c a r which bo t to be o fe ed thi h pte .

s c a n n s a a no w tr s Thi mu h h vi g bee id , I Sh ll y to how to the re ader how gre at is the difficulty of investigation THE THEO RY O F IDEA S 61

r a I n r a in the egion of Celtic esch tology . the fi st pl ce , the Otherworld is marked by two characteristics : (1) it possesses a spiritual and a physical Side (2) it con

a s a ar n s s and s r . t in , pp e tly ide by ide , good evil pi its

Let us consider the spiritual and physical character a n r first of ll . The Celtic co ception of a happy Othe

rl as in ar ul ar r s r s wo d , expounded p tic by the I i h D uid , is remarkable for its appreciat ion of beauty ; but we find along with the spiritual beauty an appearance

and n r s—in s r a s c a Con now the of g ossnes ho t , phy i l ce ion pt .

And a We find s r r d in the second pl ce , in thi Othe wo l no Tartarus good and evil persons seem to rub shoul ders

r Ma a r a r s ar e r togethe . lign nt c e tu e nume ous enough ; s s r s a s and s m a d hobgoblin , pect e , gi nt witche y be foun in abundance and even divine pers onages resident in Ireland are found to be related to some repulsive ogress or a r r r th a a r a gi nt . Fu the mo e e ctu l egions of be uty s eem to border closely upon lakes whose waters are the ' a awful thin s and a l or f r s d bode of g , v l eys o e ts people r a d rr r by siniste n te ible forms . Yet there is no prope r r n and bad f ontie betwee the good the , between the v and a lo ely the gh stly .

a al s dif a r and a w I Sh ll de with thi ficulty l te on , sh ll Sho s ar a r a Bu how chol s h ve t e ted it . t it must be borne in mind that a p hilosophical expl anation of the Eschato

a M has n r s in logic l yths not been , co side ed by the e v esti ators a a r a S n r r g . We h ve l e dy ee the p oofs fo the cas e that the Druids . taught whatever eschatological s are belief found in Celtic mythology . Therefore thes e s r r c as al r r myth we e not p oduced u ly , but we e the wo k 62 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

rs had h r r as for of deep thinke , who t ei own e on exhibiting r r as H ad s r a the Othe wo ld they did . they de i ed to obt in

r r u a r cont ol ove the m ltitude , they might h ve p oduced and fil r n a ar ar s . a s T t u , led it to ove flowi g But they

r ri s s as a s n a rs we e not p e t , we h ve ee , but te che who a in s r for a n a t ught ec et the love of te chi g , they h ve not set o u t rr a a ar to te ify ; but h ve pp ently , one might

a n set f r an r r im gi e , out to o fe Othe wo ld quite like the present life . * Skene assures us that the belief of the Celt in a future wa r and s a s a life s ext emely vivid , he y th t the chief characteristic of this belief was life in the body after a r r rs is a in . s orbis de th nothe egion Thi , of cou e , the For ac och n s a alia s of Lucan . M Cull poi t out th t the r a E s a orbis alias is ce t inly not the Celtic ly ium . Th t n r a ars a s as a an a Elysium eve ppe in the t le l d of the de d .

is a a and a s are s It l nd of gods de thle s folk , who not tho e a ass r r a M r al who h ve p ed f om the wo ld by de th . o t s

” ’ m a r ac a r . y e h it by f vou , but only while still in life 1

And R ein ach puts the matter beyond dispute by his a n ss s ra a careful investig tio . He discu e the ph se of Luc n “ in orbe alio which he s ays does not me an another

r a r r s r . And a wo ld , but nothe egion of thi wo ld 1 th t r as MacCul loch a was a a egion , s ys , not gloomy st te , a r r E a Aal r and r the it esembled the gypti n y , with its ich ” varied existence .

r s - ar at New ra and a The p e ence of ship m k G nge ,

ar r s - ar at Dowth as cle e hip m k , of which I know the — Fo u r A ncient oo s of a es A . F. Sk ene i 0 . B k W l , , 37

‘ R eli i on of the Ancient e ts 1 . 1 g C l , 34

R e u e e ti u e ii S . R einac . I v C l q , xx , 477, h THE THEO R Y or IDEA S 63 r s rs a a a u s s e ult of pe on l investig tion , might m ke su picious regarding the apparent relationship between Celtic and a r a is s Egypti n egions of the de d . It po sible , though

l a ar r a a r not ikely , th t these m ks we e m de long fte the r s r is a s ss l a a tumuli we e con t ucted . It l o po ib e th t theory regarding the condition of the dead was derived r s r from the p ehi to ic people who built the tumuli . But

an a ar s E an and in y c se , the comp i on between the gypti the Celtic world of the dead is possible as regards one

ara a M acCu lloch r s ar ch cteristic lone . exp es es this ch acteristic But of all races of antiqu ity outside E s a r s s ar gypt , the Celt seem to h ve che i hed the mo t dent

r n ra and to have béen belief in the wo ld beyo d the g ve , reoccu ied with its Now as a ra p p , I h ve seve l s r ar r r im time em ked , the D uids we e the people who

ar s r p ted the myth of the Otherwo ld . Life in the body a r a as MacCu lloch s was a fte de th , point out , t ught as a r r s and a doct ine by the D uid , this m de it the ” a ra a si a n rs dmi tion of cl s c l o looke , 1

A nd now we p ass to chaos of a sort . But besides s r was a r r r a thi belief the e nothe , de ived f om the ide s a a a a a ra — of dist nt p st , th t the de d lived in the g ve the s a And r m a two conception being concomit nt . the e y also have been a cert ain degree of belief in transmi ratio a g n . Although the Celts believed th t the soul c a ar r r s ould exist p t f om the body , the e seem to be no evidence that they believed in the future existence of ” ’ s as a a a n s a ara at the the oul sh de . Cuchul i ppe nce

ai a r s a ass a a bidding of S nt P t ick i cl ic l ex mple of this .

R e i ion f the n ient t o A c e s . l g C l , 333 ' Do d 1 . , o do . 64 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

a r as r a and r a r He c me fo th if he we e live vigo ous . His h i was thick his lips were deeper in colour than a ruby a and his eyes gle med .

Now here is a snare for the unwary ; and before r a a a r p oceeding , let me c ll ttention to wh t this desc iption

u a s n are r of C chul in ig ifies . We conf onted with the ’ r r a a n was ssar a a o thodox filte g i . It nece y th t Cuchul in s

’ appearance Shoul d correspond with S aint Patri ck s a r as a ar orthodoxy . He c lled him f om Hell w ning to r r a a a a r othe s . Conside th t . Then , t ke w y f om the ’ a a a r r a and scene wh t S int P t ick s p esence dem nded , ” a is a a son wh t left Wh t , but Cuchul in , the of Lugh . If Cuchu lain h ad been a pure Milesian or something a a a a ar as a s a equ lly commonpl ce , he might h ve ppe ed t g . ” was son the r r a A and But he the of Hype bo e n pollo , his appearance from the Otherworld was like unto his r n a s a r n flesh ent y i to b ttle , the me b ight ess of the a ran a n verily godlike t sform tion . To my thi king it is difli cult a a a a r to suppose th t Cuchul in c me , s ve f om a n an Tu atha ama r mo g the comp y of the De D nn , f om ’ a a r s whose dwellin was the comp ny of his f the people , g

in I reland r conr an s had , f om the p y of tho e who left the r a d a Weste n Elysium n come to Irel nd .

I sh al l proceed to consider further difficulties of the sc a r is r ar a Celtic E h tology . He e one : the o din y de d r and as r ar ose in the body , not ghosts But the o din y a r not s ns o ll r ra s r de d we e the o of Ap o . Thei g ve we e

a u r r homes in which they lived . The de d wo ld pe fo m

r ar a s and and the o din y occup tions of the hou e field ,

' wou ld eat with the living or av enge themselves upon u r s r a a a u s a them . In one c iou B eton t le de d h b nd THE THEO RY or IDEA S 65

s his and r a a as vi ited wife , she bo e him child , bec use , ’ a was She said se. comple de enf nts not complete .

r ss a s an r as or s Could the e po ibly , one sk , be y e on ystem r O r r For ar in this ext emely complex the wo ld my p t , I am firmly convinced th at we are confronted here a a a a r be with no esch tologic l ch os wh teve . It will wiser to offer what seems to me the solution on philoso

hical and stra r . p lines , then to illu te my theo y

a in rs a s r r Wh t , the fi t pl ce , doe the Celtic Othe wo ld

a c a ns r s a s . or n cont in It ont i th ee t te conditio s , which are as follows

I s r E s u a a r ( ) The We te n ly i m , pl ce whe e no evil thing can r r is s rr c a come , whe e the e no o ow , to whi h the de d

h c r r s s r ec ha s and do not go , w i h ep e ent pe f t ppine s

r a and r m Tu atha a a u pe fect be uty , f o which the De D n n

a r a are r m a c me to I el nd . The living , who wo thy , y r a s a bu t a nor as a r a a e ch thi pl ce , not the de d , l e dy st ted . m a a m an r a tln o u h r a ra y e ch it g the po t ls of the g ve ,

(a The perm anent and unchanging realit y of the Tu a a Da ann n r a and n , l , De who e j oy pe petu youth happiness and side by side with them the world of evil rsona i he a r and a st pe ges , occupy ng t s me egion , lmo n s s r a touchi g elbow with them . To thi egion the de d — Milesi an and remember what we have proved the — s a r r s who rt m a o . Mile i ns to ep e ent is wo hy y g ,

The a a is s a (3) l nd of the de d , which ju t the l nd of the l r a are not s r a n in iving , whe e the de d ghost , but em i the

and a s c a R r flesh , s o i te with the living . emembe the soul which Plato describes as having fo rgotten the ” r a a a a impe i l p l ce whence it c me . O R O R F O 66 SH T HIST Y O CELTIC PHIL SO PHY ,

And now I offer my theory in explanation of these

s a or s r r three t tes condition of the Celtic Othe wo ld .

1 s r E s for ru s ( ) The We te n ly ium , I believe , the D id , r r a r a au ep esented the Ide of pe fect Be uty . Be ty

ara ri s s s r in r is its ch cte tic Ju tice dwell the e pe fection , fo r as saw as a r a n Tu atha , we in the l t ch pte . mo g the De

a ann was r r r D n no judgment equi ed to be delive ed .

a as a ain was n a Be uty , Pl to expl ed , the o ly Ide which was capable of presentation through the medi um of the

s And s s r E s r sen es . so to thi We te n ly ium the wo thy a s a a a a might att in in thi life . H ving tt ined to Ide l a s on r r r a Be uty in its fullnes , if , etu ning to thei l nd , s a a a a they stepped upon its oil they bec me he p of shes ,

or an ra a a a e w r and s ru . B e of ext v g nt g , ithe ed h nken a s oi r m an r n s a c u e , cou se , the who comp ehe d wh t Philosophy has to offer must regard the e arth as dust s s n an and his o Time mu t lo e its commo me ing , b dy

s r a r r r mu t become me ely cove ing which , conside ed f om r s a n a n ss ss r a a the wo ldly t ndpoi t , c n ot po e pe m nent v lue s f r " it r n Space mu t lose o him s c ude meani g .

(2) The Tu atha De Danann who left the Western Elysium and dwelt in Ireland are representative of the a r a a a i Ide of pe fect Be uty in cont ct with m nk nd , r n a n ss and th s r therefo e in co t ct with ugli e evil of e pi it . This explains the puz zling condition of evil and ugly things in the same region with the Tu atha De D ananu

s s a r m a . themselves . In thi t te the wo thy y dwell

r m an as has u s (3) The wo ldly goes on he beg n , eeing a a a r a a no ide l be uty , pp ehending no Ide of Be uty . And rn for his is s ete ity him , to thinking , thi life , in s a a is a dwelling m de with h nds . He tied to wh t he

68 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

r r r r is a r togethe eve y hou The e no w iling , neithe treachery ; neither is there anything rough or harsh ; but sweet music filleth the ear in this land which is d r the l a ar an . f mili , whe e soi is tended This is the Sign m ain and r and of E , uncommon full of wonde the Sign

r is a the a rr r the eof th t l nd knoweth no so ow , neithe gri ef nor death ; for sickness and decay have no habi

ta io r r . a a a and r t n in its bo de s It is l nd of be uty , ve y

ar r r and m vellous , eve ywhe e lovely to behold the vision thereof is as a fair country incomparable in its haz e In the great waters of the West there are thrice fifty a a ar r a i a a nd Er . Isl nds , e ch one is l ge th n n In the ges to come there shall be a great birth but in a lofty pal ace a A a s a a it sh ll not be . wom n who e m te sh ll not be known a ar a and he a r sh ll b e son , will t ke unto himself the gove a a san His r a r n nce of m ny thou ds . ule h th neithe

nor . r r and beginning end He fo med the wo ld , it is r ar and sea pe fect . To him belongeth the e th the . He a a fashioned the h e vens . Woe unto the m n who falleth under his displeasure bu t happy is he that hath a stain

ar s a a s u r a r less he t . He h ll cle n e the m ltitude unde w te a ea s a a al l r a s r s . th t is pu e ; y , he h ll he l you di e se I a r ar Spe k not to eve y one of you , though the m vel of a a a which I Spe k h th been m de known . Yet , out of the multitude on the earth let B ran hear that portion of wisdom which hath been uttered unto him Sink not s ar and r i upon the bed of the lugg d , let no st ong w ne

r set ou t a a a r ove come thee . But on voy ge c oss the

' transparent sea ; and peradventure thou mayest set thy feet upon the land of And it came to

R eco ect t at as has een ointe ou t for the e t omen ll h , b p d , C l w

had access t o two or s and a m an of science on t o one . w ld , ly THE THE O R Y O F IDEA S 69

p ass that the woman departed out of their midst and r she a nd the they knew not whithe h d gone . A when rr was ra set n and mo ow come , B n out upo the deep , the m r him was one r and s nu be of men with sco e even , in a a A nd r r a . th ee comp nies , to e ch comp ny nine men ove each company was set one of the foster- brothers and an ns ra A nd had comp io of B n . when he been upon the sea for a s and n s a m an a two d y two ight , behold in r a a a cha iot c me unto him over the w ter . And he s ng a song unto B ran and revealed unto him that he was a ann a son Lir A nd a M n n the of . he told him th t he had felt constrained to journey towards Ireland after a ar A nd M an a na Lir sa m ny ye s n n the son of id. ra are r i n n r a unto B n We f om the beg n i g of c e tion , and a e a ss s u s r is ou r old g h th not po e sed , neithe end n a on ar or a like u to those th t dwell the E th . F this c use

ra r a sin a . we expect not f ilty , neithe h th come mong us B ran and his companions reached the perfect land which has been described ; and after voyaging for a

S a an h a r rr a . p ce , episode to w ich I h ve efe ed , took pl ce

Now a ass a One a it c me to p th t mong them , even Nechtan son ra r a s r s , the of Collb n , g e tly de i ed to vi it his home and his kindred and when the boat in whi ch a a n n s r a he voy ged c me igh u to the ho e , he le pt out of the bo at and behold when he touched the soil of Ireland he a a n a a as as it bec me in mome t of time he p of hes , were a body which hath lain for many hundreds of years in ar the e th .

A s a e s r r ss r K M r to the g of this to y , P ofe o uno eye has placed it among the oldest remains of Irish story ” l a ss n . Mr A r nd r r tel i g With him . lf ed Nutt P ofe o Z r are a r imme g eed . SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

It must be remembe red that su ch a tale as the Voy age of B ran wou ld exist for m any generations in memory a s a s a a s n ri s a only . Some of the p s ge h ve di ti ctly Ch ti n r i n a a r ara . r ch cte o But the o gi l n tu e of the conception r E s is ar r a and su ffic of the Weste n ly ium cle ly eve led ,

ientl so for m r s n in n s a y , y pu po e eve the few li e I h ve n a s n quoted . I should like to thi k th t the di ti ctly Christian p assages were not introdu ced at the time this r was n r n c was r a sto y put i to w iti g , whi h p ob bly in the

r . a s r s n r eighth centu y Such to y , if in exi te ce befo e the n a a r u far a comi g of S int P t ick , wo ld go to expl in why

1 the ri s a r s a so a r and W t I h ccepted Ch i ti nity e ge ly , ithou n r a rs a putti g its p e che to de th. Thi s chapter cont ains su fficient evidence regarding the s tate of things in the region inhabited by the Tu atha

a a n n r a De D n n . I poi ted out elsewhe e th t those among the Milesians who were wo rthy might mate and dwell a anu and a r n with the D n , th t to the egio which they ha the a M s a is worth m a r in bit de d ile i n who v y go . The e is an episode which sheds illumination on this state of n s and s a ar c ar s r n thi g , I h ll p ti ul i e it befo e I co clude .

ass n r n n a r s m an But in p i g , it is wo th oti g th t the e e bl ce

’ between this episode and Plato s doctrine becomes qu ite "

r ar a . s a r n a em k ble The oul , cco di g to Pl to which a r its rs rs s n ar s its f ils to cont ol cou e i ks to e th , lose ’ wings . a a r a a Ma a an s on Lir We h ve l e dy seen th t n nn the of , N u was a n ar s s r the Celtic ept ne , voy gi g tow d the ho es r an n ran m a a m r of I el d . His meeti g with B y h ve o e n an a u os s a y sig ific ce th n one might s pp e , e peci ll in consideration of his speech and I shall as k the reader to note the concluding words of the quotation from THE THEO R Y O F IDEA S 71

’ P a Thea tetu s s a as a l to s , which I h ll use fitting close

a r . s r s a n to this ch pte I ju t offe thi hint in p ssi g . But ’ r r Manannan s eu m e ar r an to etu n to j y tow ds I el d , he a a had r had r . a a e son so to voy ge His l dy , F nn , p oved and had m r he a n r a . r s u wo thy , co e to I el nd The e m ted u ai n s s a with Cuch l , the highe t oul in the l nd . She took the form and body of a mortal ; because in that form C a n s her and his uchul in could disti gui h , so could wife E r her r a s her ai me yet when lo d c me to eek , Cuchul n * u a ha a r a for could not see him . C chul in d g e t love his s r her for a s a and a wife yet he de e ted e son , g ve his love an a Ma an an son Lir and a to F n , the l dy of n n the of dispu te arose between the two women as to which should give up Cuchulain The immortal yielded to the

r al and san : mo t , she g To give love unto one who ar a r n doth not reg d th t love bringeth bitte woe . U less the love which is offered be returned in full measure is r ha r a a it bette t t one should be tu ned w y .

When Manannan was made aware of this state of h n a arm and r him t i gs , he c me to seek F , no one pe ceived

a a a a r her s ve F nn only ; nd gre t emorse seiz ed upon . a a a a a She s ng be utiful song , which I h ve ttempted to render

r was a was r s The e time when he p eciou unto me , a a l r Yea M na r r r . even nn n ule ove the love y wo ld , when I dwelt with the son of Lir in the glittering palace I nbir r r a a a s of Dun , we we e ce t in th t n ught hould separate us for ever But even now I behold him r r a r rs a coming hithe ove the w te , he who is the ho em n

Y et ran saw him c ear ecau se ran was ort and B l ly, b B w hy, had re aine his win s an d was on the wa t o re oin the o s . g d g , y j g d 72 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

of the crested sea and none that is foolish can perceive

him Sid- r is be as . To the dwelle only visible he cometh

past us unto this place .

Cuchulain was greatly favoured by being permitted

s an as ns r i n sid- r to vi it on m y occ io the eg o of the dwelle s , ” r a r a Bu t ss s an r the spi itu l I el nd . countle Mile i he oes and r s had a w Tu atha aman he oine cont ct ith the De D n , and the less desirable inhabitants of the spiritual an Irel d .

As s a r nar a in to the t te of the o di y de d , who live the in r ra s and an a n body thei g ve , move unch ged mo g men , the facts already given are suffi cient for my pu rpose and the tales which I have supplied elsewhere regarding warriors who gu ard the homes which they once in a s a n ar in ra m a h bited , t ndi g fully med the g ve , y be a s c a r n a s dded to the evidence which thi h pte co t in .

As the foregoing section of this work depends for its value upon the fact that philosophy was expressed

n a a r s m a c n e igm tic lly by the D uid , I think I y well o clude ’ this chapter by a quotation from Plato s Thecetetu s (2 5)

o rates —B ra s was not r a ras S c y the g ce , then , P ot go

a r s m an and not r ss s ve y wi e , did he exp e him elf s a a to n ra ra thu enigm tic lly us , the ge e l bble , but spe ak the truth to his disciples in secret

Thew etus — a a s ra s t Wh t me n you by thi , Soc te

o rates — I ou and a a acc S c will tell y , th t no me n ount

c ar s a no one n s s s and he de l e th t thi g exi t of it elf , that you cannot design ate a thing by any quality for if you describe it as gre at it will appe ar to be a and a and so r sm ll , if he vy , light with eve ything THE THEO R Y O F IDEA S 73

l as in was or a or e se if noth g one thing nything , possessed of any quality but as if all things which sa e r and we y xist , become so f om impulse , motion , a r a r r s na dmixtu e with e ch othe , the eby de ig ting rr for n r is is a a them inco ectly othing eve , but lw ys e I n all s s b coming . this the wise men in ucces ion , Parrnenides a r a r a ras except , g eed , n mely P ot go , ra and E s and o He clitus , mpedocle , of the p ets , who ran s a n r those k highe t in e ch ki d of poet y , in E icharmus and ra r for comedy p , in t gedy Home ; a a an is a r ds and in s ying th t Oce us f the of the go ,

’ s r as r s a all i are Tethy mothe , he se t th t th ngs r irce a s he p od d by flux nd motion . Doe not seem to s ay so " — Thewtetu s To me he does

76 SHO R T H I STO R v or CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

s r s is a wa s s n goe , the p oce s convenient y of di tingui hi g intellectual mountain peaks on the m ap of the history

u a Ear r s s of tho ght . We h ve the ly G eek , some of who e r a s a p oblems still remain unsolved . Pl to t nds out next and his Ar s the r a he is followed by pupil i totle , with Pe ip

o es a r s s . a o s t ti , g oup by them elve Then we h ve the St ic

' l and E r a s a a schoo s . s the picu e n , e ch by it elf The Sceptic ar e surely the foothills where one bre athes no generous mountain air " The Graeco -O rientals were at leas t destined to disturb the reputation of A ristotle in the

s u r s r mistrans ‘ eye of the Ch ch . But who could u vive

a I f A r s And is r r r n l tion , not i totle he eve ed whe e o ce as n A n n r s n s is s he w condem ed . i te e ti g tudy pos ible n u n s n on r of the i fl e ce of the Jewi h mi d G eek thought ,

a a r a as exemplified in the work of Philo . I h ve l e dy

n neo - a r ans hear a r a n mentio ed the Pyth go e , who el tio to the neo - Platonists resembling the thinkers by whose

a are n e I n a r s er n mes they disti guish d . the P t i tic p iod " Satu rninu s B asilides Va n n s and s , , le ti u , the Ophite ,

Car ocrates Marc n and r s s s p , io , the e t of the Gno tic could disappear from the world of thou ght without : a r a an M an sm for its c using a sti . We h ve to th k ichei n a A s n u s as as s at influe ce upon S int ugu ti e , j t the be t ’ Ephesu s have in S aint P aul s career a decorative a a r a res r r v lue . L te we come to th t inte ting w ite who secu red the prefix pseudo because he published his writings under the name of Dionysus the A reopagi te

u r s A c s A s s in r r (who fig e in the t of the po tle ) , o de to s a r a r r A nd ar n s ecu re for them g e te noto iety . be i g uch

a u r s a n u r a n me , co ld he be othe wi e th n e amo ed of the Greeks " I mention him especi ally because of his r a a r el tion to the subject of this ch pte . JO HN SCO TU S ER IGENA 77

a in is an r see Ear r Looking b ck th m ne , we the ly G eeks , P a and Ar s and E r ans an l to istotle , the Stoic picu e d on the threshold of the Middle Ages there rises John Scotus

Er a f r a s s m n a igen , o fe ing y te of philosophy which co t ins much that has been claimed as original by the great r thinke s who followed him .

It would be inaccurate to associ ate John Scotus as T e s . h n with Schol tic Philo ophy Schoolme would , h m and a n w i . s r s will , h ve othing to do ith In ome espect

ars a r s an a lm a in his he be e embl ce to Schoo n method ,

the r his a a c a in o igin of ide s , in the intellectu l omp ny a all a n s a a he kept th t is . We c n ot y th t he founded is a a a a Scholastic Philosophy . H w s n origin l nd amaz ing intellect which set men thinking ; and he introduced

an A ri s as a r a s was rs m y to totle , who , P te s y , the fi t ‘ A an of the Schoolmen . Schoolm could be enthusiastic about his original ity without bein g enthusi astic about

c a r r u his philosophi l he esy . Th o gh his brain there

r for s a I sa o e r r filte ed , in t nce , the g g of Po phy y , the neo

a A nd see Er a a a Pl tonist . we how igen is ssoci ted by t ea s c a s for was r r his m n with S hol stici m , it Po phy y who caused such an intellectual Uproar in the eleventh r a a r a n centu y by one of his st tements , th t el ti g to the

question of universal s .

Erigena is remem bered by his mental . products and it is ple asin g to consider that of the m an himself

r a r ate s ra n ra r n the c e tu e who , lept , t velled , co t cted f ie d — ships and enmities we know for certain very little

n ra has r a s - a u s r i deed . T dition p ovided emi f bulo histo y f r s an a ass r — o him . Thi much c be st ted with u ance He was n ar a a ar 8 i vited by Ch les the B ld , bout the ye 43 , 78 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

ola P alatina at ar s and r r to the S ch P i , unde the p otection

of the Emperor he lived and worked . He was edu cated

r a and ss s a r and in I el nd , po e sed knowledge of G eek had af for a and a Latin . He much fection Pl to , he lso r a Tim appreciated A istotle . He re d the aeu s of Plato as

a s a Chalcidius rs ar s O r anon tr n l ted by , the fi t p t of the g a d I o r r s n sa e , of Ari totle , the g g of Po phy y

The reader is not compelled by any tremendous weight of evidence to believe that Alfred the Gre at invited

Er a r a a A Malrnesbu r igen to Oxfo d , th t he bec me bbot of y , and that the monks of that religious house murdered s s are r s and f r a him . o The e episode pictu e que , th t r a f r r for a r all e son I o fe them to the c edulous , fte , it is

s r s s wi e to believe gene ou ly , le t we should deny some al for Er a essenti . So much the episodes by which igen a as a m a His r a is related to the m ny n . e l interest lies in those particulars of his intellectual history which prove him related only to the few supreme thinkers s r ha a r with which thi wo ld s been do ned .

his ra a f r r Besides t nsl tions , he o fe ed to the public th ee

r an r s and a r s z—De ede impo t t wo k , few mino one Fr s

tinatione a ara v s r his m as r , comp ti ely ho t book te piece , De D isione Naturae in s a r iv , five book , c st in the fo m a a r r and s and of di logue between p ofesso pupil , con ’ taining a comprehensive statement of Erigena s philo and Homilia n P rolo a i . S v . e ophic l system ; g E ang S c. r are j oannen . The est of little moment .

De P redestinatione is interesting because it reve als the

originality of John Scotus . The Celtic avoidance of ar Eri a r s a plagiarism is cle ly evident . gen p opo es defence of the doctrine of one predestination and in his own J O HN SCO TUS ER IGENA 79

a wa r r r a peculi r y sets to wo k . His th ee p incip l points are (1) All that is in God is God Himself hence the will by which He predestines is identical with the Divine n is a Bei g . But the Being of God bsolutely simple ; it follows that the predestinating will of God is abso lu tel and r can y Simple , so the e be only one kind of

predestination .

2 f s O a and ( ) Opposite e fects uppose pposite c uses , one and the same cause cannot produce effects of opposite a r Now and s and r are n tu es . good evil , blis mise y O pposed to one another hence God cannot be the cause of both it follows that there can be only one kind of a predestin tion .

can r s a (3) God p ede tine only th t which He knows . for a a God does not know evil , knowledge tt ins only that which is ; what is not cannot be the object of

E r a a . knowledge . vil is nothing e l , nothing th t is It a a follows th t God c nnot know it . If He knew it it would hi s r a and r v r be somet ng po itive , something e l ; mo eo e a r a u God Himself would be the utho of it , so th t it wo ld a ar r a h ve necess y existence in the wo ld . But th t is

ar a r . r a t a s cle ly bsu d It em ins , hen , th t God doe not d an r r s n A c an r . know evil , c not , the efo e , p ede ti e evil r r can r a co dingly the e be only one kind of p edestin tion , a r a and a s * p edestin tion to good to h ppine s . The philosophical system of Erigena is reveal ed as a s and s or blend of theo ophy gnostici m . F him the r s a a was a r and all Ch i ti n F ith the found tion of t uth ,

R f P hi s oo See e u blic o at o B k . 2 at c i p l , , 379 Th w h g d 3 not th e c au se of all t in s bu t o n of at is as it s ou be h g , ly wh h d , ” l

ein u i t ess of ori inatin e i etc . b g g l l g g v l , 80 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

knowledge was conditional thereto . The starting point of all rational investigation was for him the Divine as r r Truth exp essed in the Bible . F om this he con cluded that faith is the principle with which the know ’ r r a ra a ledge of the C eato in tion l being begins . R eason s task is to discover by processes of thought the meaning

ra s And is an r a of the Divine utte nce . it impo t nt function of reason to interpret the figures and symbols a r ri u r s a rdi Er na of S c ed Sc pt e . Philo ophy , cco ng to ige , covers the same ground as R evelation and he is a disciple of S aint Augustine when he s ays that true philosophy a m i n a e a nd tri relig o r identic l . Eri gena contemplates a reverential appreciation of a r a rs i a r a the utho ity of the F the , coupled w th ce t in

rali and r a as r r libe ty of mind f eedom of ction , the p ope for s r m a a d c condition the philo ophe . One y pick n hoose am a ri s mm a r and m a r r wi h ong the P t tic co ent to s , y p efe t as s as a re on tho e of the East . R e on is to be the s fe s a ari s rs guide , which h ll , if necessity se , upe ede the a r a Er a n a s utho ity of the F thers . igen co templ te the possibility of a seeming conflict between reason and scripture ; and he determines that reason must be r a n a s m a not r s an et i ed , bec u e it y be c u hed by y

a r . Nat . . C6 . A a utho ity (De Div . Lib 3) mystic l modification is obvious when he declares that reason is a darkness which cannot disclose the Divine M r ss r al e l yste ies , unle the Divine Wo d sh l n ighten it . R as s u a c an r um r r r e on , thu ill min ted , t i ph ove eve y fo m

r and m a a s r r t . of obscu ity , y g ze upon the up eme T u h The Celtic thinker is revealed when the argument is reduced to an apho rism It is not s o much reason w n a s s r r as s r hich co templ te the up eme T uth , the up eme JO HN SCO TUS ER IGENA 81

c a i Truth which ontempl tes itself n us . It is not m an ” m a n s n . who fi d God , but God finds Himself in

a s n r s n ra s m a s r P s i g f om the e ge e l notion , we y con ide a s s a briefly the philosophic l y tem of Erigen . He pro ceeds to define Four Natures

I Natu ra u ae non creatu r ci creat — a ( ) , q , th t which r a c r a n r as c e tes but is not e ted , God , co side ed the

r f a all sove eign ef icient c use of things .

2 Natura u ae creatu r et creat — a c r a ( ) , g , Th t which e tes an is a a r a a d cre ted . The gg eg te of Ide s in the Divine Word in so far as these Ide as are not merely Divine — conceptions but creative potencies also primordial CEI II SCS

Natura u ae creatur ci non creat — a (3) , q , th t which is created but does not create that is to s ay the world perceived by sense with the individual objects which it includes .

Natura u ae non creatu r nec creat - a (4) , q , th t which is not cre ated and does n ot create God considered as a all n and ra in all t s a the fin l end of thi gs , d w g hing b ck

. at . I N 1 C . to Himself (De Div , Lib , )

T has r a Er a hough much been w itten bout igen , those who desire to understand him should go to the m an “ a r s as r s n a a himself . In wo k uch the p e e t , no dequ te

r his s s m is s s a av r desc iption of y te po sible . I h ll ende ou ’ to treat of the Four Natures of Erigena s system in a few words

I Na r I s Eri a a r ( ) tu e , in the mind of gen , te m a a r a an al For a r pplic ble to e lity d s o to God . wh teve reality the world of Ideas and the world of phenomena th r s and ra possess , is , in e t ue t most lite l sense , the 82 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

s Esse omnium st reality of God Him elf . e super esse Divinitatis is his favourite and often recurring phrase

- s s a s ara from the pseudo Diony u . The lmo t p doxical r a Er a r a b illi nce of igen , eve ling the Celt , becomes evident when he declares that so supremely perfect is the essence of the Div inity that God is incomprehensible or n not only to us but to Himself . F if He k ew Himself in any adequate sense He should pl ace Himself in some a r s c tego y of thought , which should be to limit Him elf .

all a r is a t r . r a God bove c ego ies When , the efo e , we spe k

' about Him we are safer in using the negative cirrocpar ua ; ” t a xar a c am h n the positive b fi,

Erigena explains th at God might correctly be called n i u is ar or r nothing ( ih l m) . He no p t comp ehension

n is r r all . of the su m of thi gs . He supe io to things He is not to be defined as quid in comparison with any r u d is i ot he q o He without quiddity noth ng. that is what is and ll God knows He , not He ; it fo ows a a s s what s th t bec u e He doe not know He is , He know

Himself as truly God .

r s a ri e a Pe fection must be tt buted to God , b c use they r a s a r come f om Him to His cre tures . But we pe k figu tiv el a r r Him because a y when we so tt ibute pe fections to , r s u se r a a such pe fection , if we the te m ex ctly , c nnot rr a r a co ectly be tt ibuted to Him . It follows th t Theology n s a n a an co si ts of eg tive d affirm ative s cience . The

a r nd s neg tive is the most pe fect system . A the ystem m ay be comprehended in our definitions if we prefix su ra r an r a a a to Go d we p befo e y p edic te pplic ble , when s a for a a su ra r su ra y, inst nce , th t God is p powe ful , p

- and so . su ra s wise , on The p exi tent God , though

84 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

m s a all a I . The com on ubst nce of phenomen is one or s ndi f r a and entity being , which is in it elf u fe enti ted

’ ’ - ou a all a e indeterminate the ousza . In this s z things r a as as for is one , in f ct well in concept , it the one sole

O f all s was r substance thing . This w itten in the ninth century We are told in the twentieth that the basis O f all a r is a r i is u r r m tte neg tive elect icity , wh ch f the reducible to the ether of space

’

2 . r a ou sza This one unive s l divides , within itself , n ra and u r into ge e species , witho t , howeve , losing its

- subst anti al unity . It is only in this self division into ’ ” a and a ou sza a a s a a gener species th t the tt in ctu lity .

ra a s s 3 . The species thus gene ted m nife t them elves a O in individu l bjects . Hence the species is whole in all and a a s a r , whole in e ch of the individu l cont ined unde ” it .

a a s r r a r Individu lity m nifest itself in the co po e l wo ld . And in considering how individual proceeds from uni

rsa r a - r al his - a n E E s . r ve l , igen eve s neo Pl to i m ve y materi al body c an ultimat ely be ana lysed into sep arate n hi are s s r eleme ts , w ch in them elve pu ely intelligible , is r a a . r s th t , me e qu lities Without Size , figu e , po ition ,

&c a is u n a n r . . r de sity , colou , , body nthi k ble If , the e r s ara r n r fo e , we ep te these pu ely i telligible elements f om r Is a can a the body , the e not left nything which be c lled a a a r r s body . It follows th t body is me ely the e ult

The m ore o ne r eads the wisdom of the ancient s the less one approves Of the notion that the p res ent a ge is an age Of great di sco eri es . The a au se hi c m o ern eo o ist s for instance v ppl w h d g l g , , drew from their c ontemporarie s is s om ewhat di scou nte d when we r eal ise that in The S tates m an P lato describe d the geological es the r ag Of wo ld . JO HN SCO TUS ERIGENA 85

of concurrence and combination of thes e purely intelli

ible . A r r g elements body is , the efo e , its component ar r and a r a r r p ts , of the pu ely intelligible m te i l o de ; the outward corporeal substance is due to the com bination O f intelligible accidents it is merely the product a of Conjunction of these accidental qualities . Individu l corpore al O bjects come into being by the fact that the ’ * ousza a s s e in its ultim te Species , become inve t d with a a a and as s r r al a ar ccident l qu lities , so umes co po e ppe

' a ousza as O f nce . The such could not be the subject a a a l r ccident l qu lities . It is on y in its lowe species that it can as sume them hence the fact that we have a a only specific lly determined bodies . The ccidents

ou sia ul a with which the , in its tim te Species , is invested , are involved in constant transformation and change

s r s ousia continuing in thi e pect with the itself , which is immutable and enduring this is the explanation of the changeableness and instability of the phenomenal hi r . a r r r are a wo ld The ccidents , fu the mo e , th t in w ch individual O bjects differ from one another ; generally ” and a are all specific lly they one .

s O arr a r Thi is , bviously , if c ied to its conclusion doct ine a A nd as r a was . E of ide lism to my thinking , igen

r r a ra z a dist usted by the Chu ch , gene li tion becomes — a possible th t the Celtic mind investigating philosophy . if its possessor be extra- Catholic in his philosophical

l a r a u a s a s . Spec tions , tends tow d Ide li m I h ve men tioned the Idealism of the Druids we have now con sidered Erigena ; and the Idealism of Berkeley shall a la r r a n r t ke its p ce in this wo k . It em ins to co side

I n the ou si a Ka nt woul d su rely rec ogni se his nou menon . 86 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

’ ri ena s r Na r and to O r a E g Fou th tu e , then bse ve the ment l r a r as s a wo king of philosophe whose oci tion , in such

a r r was r ara r m tte s with the Chu ch of the f iendliest ch cte ,

John Duns Scotus .

In the Fourth Nature Erigena considers the return O f all r or r a a things to God by deg ees , in ce t in st ges . r s for r O f a an He p ovide the etention individu lity in m . l ra l a Man . is not ob ite ted , but is il umin ted This thought a ar a a Air r a i a r is m de cle by n logy . et ins ts n tu e when “ a for r as a ara illumin ted , it me ely sumes the ppe nce of

a r r ass a ara light . In like m nne i on umes the ppe nce re a O f fi when it is glowing with he t .

’ Eri ena s r a g system is the wo k of genius , but it is not a s a n a ara a a e O f Chri ti n conceptio . His ppe nce in n g darkness is a wonderful thing ; and were he the only r r ra r philosophe of Celtic o igin , the ce would be glo ified r a a r a his in him . He st ove to ccomod te Ch isti nity to al a r philosophic system ; but he f iled . The Chu ch , r a r a Er a ecognising the intellectu l impo t nce of igen , condemned his De Divisione Naturae actually on two I " ar 0 a r c ccas ions . 10 nd Leo , in the ye 5 , Hono ius III

ar 12 2 r a a s . n the ye 5 , p onounced g in t it I CHAPTER VI .

JO HN DUNS SCOTUS.

E a w a m an ra r r ar now de l ith c dled in o thodoxy , e ed a ar in an approved philosophic l system . P thenius Minges s ays of him The real spirit O f Scholasticism is perhaps in no other Scholastic so pronounced as in ” Scotus .

As a his a r r he t kes pl ce in this wo k , I must conside the at r ri a and r a a m te of his o gin . Both Scotl nd I el nd cl im

he ‘ ord a . The s t w him Scot point to Duns , the n me of a i a r r a v llage ne r Berwick . The Irish eto t th t the Lowlands of Scotland were originally peopled by emi ra r r a and the -r a g nts f om I el nd , point to still et ined na Of Dunensis for a r O f sa me Downp t ick , which they y as r a a a John Duns Scotus w p ob bly n tive .

The principal argument in favour Of his Irish origin [ is found in the catalogue O f the Library O f Saint Francis O f A r a 1 81 ar ssisi unde the d te of 3 , in which his comment y 87 88 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY on the Sentences O f Peter Lombard is designated as magistri fratris j ohannis S cott de O rdine M tnoram Doctor S u btilis nonca atar de rovincia H b ae ui et i em t . q p , p

I n s u s c ri a a was s r and Dun Scot the tic l f culty t ong , it is sometimes objected that he pulled down without

n r s is r a d a m t n r . n co st ucti g C itici m ve y often , l os

r a in s r ns r . A nd s inva i bly its highe t fo m , co t uctive Dun a r a r r s Scotus was sup eme m ste of c itici m . Those who

O c r u al r act O f r n r m n s bje t to it , in the ve y p ohibiti g ce e o ie , bind themselves to a negative ritual as rigid and as a c s r s requisite as th t whi h they eek to emove . Thi analogy m ay serve to explain the apparently contra

O n s r ardi n the r s c dictory pi ion eg g wo k of Dun S otus . He did not write a S amma Philosophica ré sumé of his r ns s doctrine . His wo k co i ted of comm entaries or treatises on questions which might with im punity be

s u e s m n ar s are a no di p t d , yet the e co me t ie m de with ns s se s in hil continuity . Du Scotu cho his item the p os o hic al r ra O f A r s and r m ar p p og mme i totle Pete Lo b d , r cri s Hi m is and offered his comment o tici m . s ethod

ar n s M s r s interesting . P the iu inge desc ibe it well :

su a s rs the or r s u s s is U lly he cite fi t text , p e ppo e it alre ady known then he. takes up variou s points whi ch

a da r li ssu s and s ss s m on all in th t y we e ve i e , di cu e the t a r sen n n ns rs a s . sides , the me time p e ti g the opi io of othe

is s ar in his r c sm and r n ess He h p c iti i , with ele tl logic

r s the n s o r at a ar m n s his he efute opi ion , le st the gu e t of

his r u r s m s r s set O pponents . In fe vo he ometi e fo get to

n his V or s s a s r as ns for dow own iew , he imply t te the e o

ar u s na n ns and s r ar as v io te ble opi io , put them fo w d mo re or less prob able ; this he does es peci ally in the l t n Col a io es . J O HN DUNS SCO TU S 89

m r a n r a u s It is i po t nt to co side th t D ns Scotu , the “ a O f c n most schol stic the S hoolme , kept theology a s r r s a ns nd philo ophy in thei e pective dom i . His

' u aestzones ar s r A r s are fo r ns an q on v iou wo ks of i totle , i t ce , a r is O f a purely philosophic l natu e . H work abou nded

ns r s and s n ns . His was in definitio , te m , di ti ctio the anal tic h a s r n n y method , w ich m kes it elf p omi e t in psychology ; and by me ans of it a s cientific study O f

a s s and ar ar the ctivitie of the oul , in p ticul of the phen

a s and is ns r omen of sen e , intellect will , co ide ed the foundation upon which all theories regarding the n ature as a O f m an should be built . The method w pplied to cosmology ; and physical and che m ical investigation

ass s in r a r n r were used to i t fo ming theo y of the u ive se .

a s s a d a was a n s . It pplied l o to ethic , logic , met phy ics

a ar ar a s a s r In m ny p ticul s , few of which I h ll con ide , Duns Scotus differed from S aint Thomas Aquinas but upon fu ndamental questions they were in agree ar ar f r n r a ment . The p ticul di fe e ces led to the fo m tion O f two philosophical schools su pported by the Thom ists and s s s for n r s a r the Scoti t , which exi ted ce tu ie fte the r am death O f their fou nde s . The f e of Scotus attached r a nas a d A ri s . A n itself to Oxfo d , th t of qui to P the rival s chools owed much vitality to the fact that their leaders were the representatives of two great R eligious r rs a n as A na m n ans and O de , S i t Thom qui s of the Do i ic ranc s ans Scotus of the F i c . s s u r in r for r Dun Scotu lect ed Oxfo d ten yea s . He went to Paris in the year 1 304 and four ye ars later he His arr a at travelled to Cologne . iv l Cologne proved a triumph but death was upon him just when fam e had ra become most libe l . 90 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

An impo rtant difference between Duns Scotus and Saint Thomas occurs in the consideration O f the priority a a a which should tt ch to the ttributes O f the Infinite . They are both agreed that all divine perfections are absorbed in the unity of the infinite but they differ as to the distinction to be allowed between these per fections and a a r r r a re , lso in the m tte of thei el tive p ” n a as a a di emi ence . S int Thom llows stinction between the divine attribu tes (distinctio rationis cam fa ndamento in re and for as an a s ); him , intellectu li t , the divine - io science is pre eminent . Scotus holds by the distinct formalis a p arte ref and s ays It is a distinction (between formal and real) in every way antecedent to ou r thought wisdom is in the thing from the natu re of the thing ; but wisdom in the thing is not form ally r n a s (p ecisely) good ess in the thing . He pl ce the

as re- and a r divine will p eminent , sc ibes to this will the

r a r r a r and ss . existence of c e tu es , thei n tu es e ences

A u a and r a materia rima Scotus goes beyond q in s , en mes p sect mdo rima s r a rime rima for p , di cove ing p p , which a a him is the fund ment l element . Scotus recognised the distinction between matters O f faith and reas on he had not the confidence O f S aint Thomas Aquinas as to the powers of reason in establish r r u s s as r a ing eligious t uths . Q e tion such the immo t lity O f s and r rr n O f o r for the oul , the esu ectio the b dy , we e him matters O f faith and the arguments of philosophers a r r a to est blish the fo me left him unconvinced . F ith for him was a divine gift by which men could see and b or the r elieve . F him wo ld without faith was Simply a wo rld of blind men and the revelation O f faith was r a r a mo e convincing th n the evel tion of sight .

CHAPTER VIII .

BERKELEY A ND HUTCHESON.

’ ER KELEY S importance in the history of " philos h was r O p y is unquestioned . He bo n in the

C K Mar 1 68 . ounty of ilkenny in ch , 5 When only ars Old r ri i fifteen ye he ente ed T nity College , Dubl n

and r had r a his r ar r had befo e he e ched thi tieth ye , wo k been accomplished by him which transformed the world of philosophical speculation which had existed outside

a sm s had n Schol stici Since the days of Hobbe . Hume bee superseded by Lo cke and Locke stood fair to hold the - s as for a r s u a n non chol tic field few centu ies , when pec l tio was a rar r a s r and r al lifted into e tmo phe e , the o igin thinking of an Irishman laid the foundation O f that philosophy to which Kant gave expression over half a r a r r modes . For Ka and a w centu y l te nt , Time Sp ce e e

r extem aliz ation of thought. The O bjective wo ld was the ’ of a a a r d m n s mind . When the Ide list , Hegel , hund e 93 94 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

ar a r r a a a s ye s fte Be keley , m int ined th t the ensuous

r was a a n and s wo ld the m nifest tion of intellige ce , exi ted r a in s formid only in el tion to intelligence , he echoed le s able language than K ant much that Berkeley had a ar and written in cle vivid style .

Berkeley is SO terse and lucid that he seems to say less ’ Ka s or o r n a than we suppose . nt a pri i in te subjective

“ ’ forms come as an expl anation for Berkeley s belief in his own consciousness and the idea in Berkeley be s n in Ka as come the phe omenon nt . While to the unknowable they are agreed the former having s atisfied a can a r is himself th t he llow no expe ience of it , quite a a r a c ndid while the l tte n mes it the noumenon .

We m ay claim for Berkeley that he thought first in a r a wa a s was r r is ce t in y , bec u e he bo n fi st . It no reflection upon the genius of Kant to s ay that Berkeley expressed himself in Ireland in a manner resembling

’ a r s r a A nd s r K nt s exp ession of him elf in Ge m ny . u ely a s r r a mong philo ophe s , in view of the el tivity of Time , there can be no fundamental priority

In 1 709 Berkeley published his Essay towards a new theory of vision and in 1 710 the P rinciples of human r are a knowledge. His theo ies cont ined in these two works though they were somewhat extended in dialogue form in 1 71 3 in Three dialogues between Hylas and

P hilonous . — Berkeley set himself to deal with the question What ” is the philosophical meaning of Materi al Substance . He did not wish to prove the practical reality of the

a r a r no a m an . m te i l wo ld , which s ne could doubt He ” desired to establish a philosophical meaning for power

96 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

a r a a was for hima subst nce un el ted to its phenomen , a a ra r term me ningless nd cont dicto y .

r r ar an O and a for Be keley eg ded bject , found th t him f u a or s O . it consi ted Sight , so nd , touch , t ste , smell He felt justified in s aying th at he found himself conscious s s s as s and of the e ights , sound , t tes , touche , smells , and cons cious also of his own identity during their cha and a r a a nges , of his bility to p oduce ch nges in wh t Ma r for a r r s aw and . he touched tte , him fte eflection , became sense phenomena presented according to what

r a aw a u r and all we e commonly c lled the l s of n t e , of necessity dependent upon some self - conscious person r a ri being pe cipient of them . He tt buted to sug a A nd gestion the repetition of Sense phenomen . sug was a r a as r n hi r gestion o d , it we e , upo w ch pe ception a a r and a and a arr at bec me cqui ed expect nt , fin lly ived o scientific previsi n .

Berkeley refused to subscribe to the negative creed O f Decart es s a s s rs s ar , pos ibly bec u e he mi unde tood De c tes but his own account of m atter was that he O ffered ob — ection because the existence O f matter which for him j — was a s equence of sense perceptions r could not be doubted .

ma an r r for r Hu n knowledge beg , the efo e , Be keley “ with two irreducible facts the ego conscious of its existence and (2) the ego conscious of sense phenomena which were in themselves without substance r r o powe .

Let s a f r s A r u llow Berkeley to Speak o him elf . fte s a r s s r a : discus ing the n tu e of en e pe ception , he s ys s s al l a s ar as or O But , be ide th t endle s v iety of ide bjects BER KELEY A ND HUTCHESO N 97

r ws of knowledge , the e is likewise something which kno o r r h and r r ra pe ceives t em exe cises dive s ope tions,

as a r r a . s willing , im gining , emembe ing , bout them Thi r a a a ri u pe ceiving , ctive being is wh t I c ll Mind , Spi t , So l , r h r an one o Myself . By w ich wo ds I do not denote y a a r r of my ide s , but thing enti ely distinct f om them ,

r or s a r whe ein they exist , , which is the me thing, whe eby — they are perceived for the existence of an idea consists in being perceived .

a r our nor a no r as Th t neithe thoughts , p ssions , ide r a a s t the fo med by the im gin tion , exi ts withou mind, And is what every body will all ow . to me it is no less a ar s sensations or ideas im rinted evident th t the v iou , p on t sense r or er he , howeve blended combined togeth a a r ob ects s a s (th t is , wh teve j they compo e) , c nnot exi t otherwise than in a mind perceiving them I think an intuitive knowledge m ay be obtained of this by any one who shall attend to what is meant by the term exist a r when applied to sensible things . The t ble I w ite on s a — a and and r I y exists th t is , I see feel it ; if I we e out — of my s tudy I should s ay it existed meaning thereby a r r th t if I was in my study I might pe ceive it . The e was an O r— a it was r was a dou th t is , smelt the e sound a was ar a r or r and was er th t is , it he d colou figu e , it p ceiv ed or all a can r by sight touch . This is th t I unde stand by these and the like expressions . For as to what is said of the absolute existence of unthinking things an r a r r a without y el tion to thei being pe ceived , th t is

r . r esse erci i to me pe fectly unintelligible Thei is p p , nor is it possible they Should have any existence out O f h r the minds of thinking things w ich pe ceive them . 98 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

It is indeed an opinion strangely prevailing amongst a us s a ns r rs and a r men , th t ho e , mount i , ive , , in wo d all s O s a an s na ra or r a ensible bject , h ve exi tence , tu l e l , r r r r a distinct f om thei being pe ceived by the unde st nding .

r a an as ran and a u sc But , with how g e t su ce cq ie ence r s r m a be n r a n r soeve thi p inciple y e te t i ed in the wo ld , yet whoever shall find in his he art to call it in question m a a r a a s y , if I mist ke not , pe ceive it to involve m nife t For a are r ra . s cont diction , wh t the fo ementioned object but the things we perceive by sense and what do we perceive besides ou r own ideas o r sensations and is it

a r a a an one these or an not pl inly epugn nt th t y of , y a x s n r " combin tion of them , Should e i t u pe ceived If r a s n r a s we tho oughly ex mine thi te et it will , pe h p , be found at bottom to depend on the doctri ne of abstract For c an r a r s ra n a s ra ideas . the e be nice t i of b t ction than to extinguish the existence of sensible O bjects from r bein erceived so as m as s thei g p , to conceive the exi ting r " and rs a and unpe ceived Light colou , he t cold , s and fi u res— in a r see and exten ion g wo d , the things we

- a are bu t so a s a ns feel wh t they m ny sen tio , notions ,

a or r ss s ns And is os ide s , imp e ions on the e e it p sible

ara an r er to sep te , even in thought , y of these f om p ce tion For ar as a a p my p t , I might e sily divide thing m a n r s . f om it elf I y , i deed , divide in my thoughts , or a ar r a r s conceive p t f om e ch othe , those thing which ,

r r s ns so s a I eve pe ceived by e e divided . Thu , I im gine r a u a s or the t unk of h m n body without the limb , conceive a r the smell of ose withou t thinking on the rose itself . SO far l c an a s ra —if a m a , I wi l not deny , I b t ct th t y properly be called abstraction which extends only to the conceiving separately such objects as it is possible

100 SHO R T HI STO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

’ Just as A ristophanes pictured the Women s Suffrage Ecclesiazusae and a r for us Movement in his , Pl to d ew

R e ublic so the in the Fifth Book of the p , I ’ am convinced that Berkeley s argument was known to a a far as sa a Pl to . In f ct I should go so to y th t we a had no r a might h ve Be keley without Pl to , unless had r a r r Berkeley e d John Scotus . But Be keley dese ves all credit for his insistence upon the absence of distinction ” b and r and for etween being being pe ceived , the

a O f his r r unequ lled lucidity exp ession . Be keley , of r r s s a r ar a a cou se , p oceed cientific lly in eg d to the n lysis

rs as a a and of his fi t conclusion , st ted bove , employs the infinite divisibility of Space and other philosophical

implements to support his arguments . He m ay not be s a r as dismi sed with impunity he c nnot be igno ed , some K r are a anti ans are fond of ignoring him . The e m ny who might gain much by being half as enthusiastic and a r a s a as convinced bout the t uth of philo ophic l system , was r For a a a as r Be keley . now d ys it is f hion to flit f om flitter a a s r all system to system , the being lw ys upe fici y r a and r a a r s re c itic l , neve ctu lly p ofe sing conviction ar an g ding the truth of y .

’ Berkeley s system allows of the existence of minds or

r a s a a and r Spi itu l ubst nces , ide s , the Divine Spi it , but

s a r is r beyond the e of nothing wh teve . It bette to be a as Ma r is a a quite c ndid , he , when he s ys We h ve r s an r a ar r neve een expe iment l gument which , st ictly S a s r s r s a pe king , di p oves the hypothesi of hype phy ic l a s r a a r al Ide li m . God , without the inte vention of m te i r otentia absoluta a r wo ld , could p immedi tely p oduce in ’ men s minds states like those which we experience in r r r s ra ar the p esent o de . The only demon t tive gument a a s a r a s is a s a g in t the Theistic Imm te i li t , th t uch hypo thesis is in conflict with the attributes of veracity m as r which we ust c ibe to the Deity . God could not be ” a r a r the utho of such f aud .

Whether Berkeley would have accepted this as an a r is s a a nswe , que tion ble . I im gine he would have declared that this argument had no relation to his con elusion ; and that he was engaged in discovering the ” i a a a r a s s a ph losophic l me ning of m te i l ub t nce .

’ Berkeley s declaration was startling ; but the argu ments upon which his belief was bas ed were known and a r a a a pp eci ted by t le st one of the Schoolmen .

It seems to be desirable that this work should not conclude without a brief reference to the labours of a

r rar r and philosophe who lived contempo y with Be keley , whose influence upon the development of thought in Scotland is appreciated to this present day and whose training of A dam Smith unquestionably c ontributed towards the adoption of the pri nciples of The Wealth Na r a r r was of tions du ing the p st centu y . Be keley born in 1 685 and Francis Hutches on first s aw the light ar 1 ra a r was a s a 6 . in the ye 94 His g ndf the Scot m n , a r s r a M s r s U s r and i e P e byte i n ini te , who ettled in l te , d d

a a s ra r u a c a e le ving con ide ble fo tune , which event lly m s ss a r ran s n ran into the po se ion of his f vou ite g d o , F cis

s n . ra s ra a at as rs Hutche o F nci g du ted Gl gow Unive ity , and an A a a ac set up c demy , intended to t ke the pl e of a rs r is r a e fo s r . H Unive ity Dis ente s , in Dublin b illi nc ’ r u V r s r and m fo b o ght him into the ice oy ci cle , he oved r some years I n that s ociety of which Dean Swift was the a r is s a r a t le de . It po sible th t he met Be keley ; in f c “ C r i HI firo .SHO R s RY OE CELTIC PHILO SO PHY I one c an hardly imagine how he could hav e ' failed to meet him for m en r a r s both we e on intim te te m with Synge . While in Dublin Francis Hutcheson pu blished his I nqu iry into the Original of our I dea s of B eau ty and i u r ar a r n r a V rt e. This em k ble wo k e te ed second edition a year after publication ; and fresh editions appeared

’ at n r a s r n s n s i te v l du i g Hutche o lifetime . Hume , with

had s m rr s n n au s him r whom he o e co e po de ce , c ed to unde

’ take some revision and Hume s debt to Hutcheson amounts to the debt which a brilli an t and unknown youth owes to one who responds to his call for sympathy and a An r a and a n dvice . o igin l ex lted i tellect is always willing to accept correction and Hume h ad the sense to modify his work in a m anner suggested by Hutcheson had mm But they little enough in co on .

r a a s s Be keley tt cked Hutche on with ome violence . The impression which Hutcheson makes upon one is

ri i a cu ou s . He took h s pl ce as Professor of Moral Philo in rs as as had a sophy the Unive ity of Gl gow , one who u r r i n n r a d ty to pe fo m wh ch exte ded beyo d me e te ching .

s s s s s u his and his r He ugge t to tho e who t dy life wo k , a m an who might have been picked ou t of Athens of 0 am a r c ha B . C d n r 35 . He c e into wo ld whi h bee colou ed

s r n s O f r an s in a by the omb e ti t Pu it i m , which the Be utiful was s m n r a s is o ethi g wo thy of b ni hment . He deeply indebted to Shaftesbury ; and into the stronghold of

rs of as r the Old Light , the Unive ity Gl gow , he b ought the Spirit of Greece and taught the doctrine of Bene v olence r a e f r a i a . How ipe the g was o his te ch ng m y be j u dged by the immediate recognition which his written and s n r s r s for ul r poke wo d eceived . He tood c tu e in an a e l r was n e and g when cu tu e co demn d , when men

104 SHO RT HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

P hiloso h in three books containin the elements M oral p y , g nd w N ur i r was r of Ethics a the La of at e. Th s wo k o igin ally written in Latin . Three editions were published in

a a a in as s s s r th t l ngu ge Gl gow , be ide edition p oduced in r d li a r a as r an . n E R otte d m , St bu g , Dub n In nglish

r i s His stem o translation it enjoyed fou ed tion . Sy f M oral P hilosophy remained unpublished for eight years r his a his son a r afte de th , when , by th t time g own to

a r s aw r u r s . s r m tu ity , it th o gh the p e s When one con ide s the eagerness with which pu blishers produ ced philosophy c r and ra di in the eighteenth entu y , the pi ty with which

a r i a r is the public bso bed ed tion fte edition , one led to m a s a for r a e wonder if much y be id the p esent g .

’ To des cribe Hutcheson s system one wou ld requi re an a a s s a es r and to include n ly i of Sh ft bu y , to note points of resemblance The two systems are closely allied ; but Beau ty for Hutcheson was a com prehenisv e term a a u a r s n c p ble of incl ding p opo itio of Euclid . His knowledge of art was ’ natu rally slight and colour for

e r him had no msth tic importance . He saw orde in the a d r di i r Cosmos n orde in the in vidual . H s theo y of Benevolence excluded the possibility of a mere crude

r n s o r a ra c n for dete mi i m , mo lity whi h depe ded its existence upon self - interest or the persu asion of objective

I n m a r c a ac terrors . the tte of the objective h r ter of the physical and mo ral o rder he exhibits an originality by maintaining that as a power of perception o r source of ideas R eflection Should be granted equ al rank s a — Tre tise on t s a he P a sions . . with Sen tion ( , p xi)

To retu rn to the former su bject of this chapter it

’ might be well to supplement my remark that Berkeley s BER KELEY A ND HUTCHESO N 105 ar was known a an ra r the gument to Pl to , by ext ct f om a T t R e u blic nd an r r heaete us . the p othe f om the . In R e u blic " a n p (Book , 597) we h ve the followi g

’ But I suppose you will s ay that all his (the p ainter s) r a are r a And a r a c e tions un e l . yet the p inte too , in kind m r wa s r s a . O r a of y , con t uct bed I w ong

Yes a r s r a a ara . , the p inte too con t ucts bed in ppe nce But what of the manufacturer of beds Did you r a sa a n a o a n r t not ce t inly y mi ute g , th t he did not co st uc r h a r our r the Fo m , w ich , cco ding to doct ine , constitutes r a a — a ar ar the e lity of bed , but only p ticul bed

Yes s a . , I did y so

' Conse u entl if s s r a r al q y, he doe not con t uct wh t e ly s s not s a a s s r a exist , mu t we y th t he doe not con t uct r al s n i r a e thing , but only omethi g l ke the e lity, but still unreal " And if any one were to describe the work of a - ri or an r ar sa as r r a bed w ght , of y othe ti n , pe fectly e l , his a n a r all r a ccou t of the m tte would be , in p ob bility , ru l unt e , wou d it not

Y es n are r , in the opi ion of those who ve sed in such s as discu sions these . Then let u s not be at all surprised at findin g that things as substanti al as a bed are shadowy objects when con trasted r a with e lity . The following passage from the Thecetetu s (97) is still r r m ar a s r r n c a r s mo e e k ble . Ob e ve the te mi ologi l e em blance of this passage to my quotation from B erk elev

S ocrates - ns r s : Co ide thi , then , I beg did we not sa a a n ra o a or y th t they expl in the ge e ti n of he t , white ss or a n s r u s a r a ne , nythi g el e p etty m ch in thi m nne , th t a is r er e ch of them impelled , togethe with p ception , F O O 106 SHO R T HISTO R Y O CELTIC PHIL S PHY .

a and a n and a a between the gent the p tie t , th t the p tient

aff r is er becomes ected by pe ception , but not yet p ce tion and a a af p itself , th t the gent becomes fected by a r ai n a a s " r a ce t qu lity , but is not qu lity it elf Pe h ps ,

r a m a a ar a s ra howeve , qu lity y ppe to you to be t nge r and m a rs a s in wo d , you y not unde t nd it when u ed this a a in s s . r a collective en e He me , then , expl in it det il .

For a s r a nor ss the gent become neithe he t whitene , but

and an d r s r s hot white , so with e pect to othe thing . For you surely remember that we said befo re that no

s s r a an a one thing exi ts of it elf , neithe th t which is gent nor a a a a r th t which is p tient , but th t , f om the meeting r a r r and togethe of e ch with the othe , pe ception objects of perception being produced cause the one to be of a ” certain quality and the other percipient . Isolated quotations may be effective but one must read Plato as a whole to discover that since his time little has been said that is new .

108 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

’ is all c but a judgment . God s judgment justi e , good share of partiality could be expected from the s aint who a a a loved Irel nd so p ssion tely .

TUATHA DE A NA NN D .

ar a ar r a a m an me In Cl e Isl nd , the ye befo e l st , told , r a s a r had his in I ish , of wh t one of the i l nde s seen in s ar a o s s a r was a man t a . ime , bout ixty ye s g Thi i l nde as and r r had d him of t te , the efo e the blood of the go s in , r r r out according to the old c ite ion . Wheneve he went to r a and w wo k in the fields , he took book with him , ould a r and r a da as often le ve his wo k sit down to e d . One y, he sat r a a e ding in the sunshine , he ch nced to look up , and saw standing before him the man who was an utter ra r s a ra r and a st nge . He luted the st nge , sked Of h are and ra r w om you , whence come you The st nge answered I am in this island since its name was ” a and a a a the isl nd of woods , h ving s id so , v nished .

‘ Tu atha Danann r r r als and De we e full g own immo t , no air f ies .

’ The Gray Man who is seen at the Gray Man s Path ar a as ar ne B llyc tle is no dw f .

R A V O F ME EL TI ITY TI .

a a was a r a as r a d P 0 . an ge 4 Time lso pp eci ted el tive , c a ar a r a ould ppe , in the comp ny of the immo t ls , leng thened or r fi t rn sho tened inde nitely . Of this I could u u ra ta p seve l ins nces .

AND R O F V ZA O . MYTHS , O IGINS CI ILI TI N

Pa t Ti ernm as as as to the ge 45 (foo note) . The g c e , NO TES 109

r z a a a C r o igins of civili tion , does not st nd lone . onside this extract from a pedigree of the kings of Cashel

Lu uid La ne h ar and a w r r t g g , by w om spe s gl ss e e fi s

‘ a r a m de in I el nd .

I mlinok r r r ar , by whom fo ts we e fi st dug out of e th in

Ireland .

R oad R othchend - a r a , (wheel he d) , by whom histo ic l and r r r a ara compositions poet y we e fi st m de in T .

Ri arlid ar t r r a r a . g , by whom ch io s we e fi st m de in I el nd

Failbe I lchorach h ar- t r fir t , by w om pill s ones we e s er ected .

Cetchumnech h rat am , by w om commemo ions in ogh r r a r a we e fi st m de in I el nd .

A ed Der essa and or essa r r e g, by whom f f f we e fi st mad r a r a and in I el nd . (The . wo ds seem to me n knowledge su erk nowled e but r a a wn p g , , thei technic l me ning is unkno o t me . )

M ainmairec wh and r w r fi rst , by om gold silve e e

O ithecht and l r r r t r . , by whom gold si ve we e fi s discove ed

r r na r r . ..The o de of the mes is ch onologically eversed ha 1 f the r als We ve ( ) the discovery o p ecious met , (2) r ci had a r r ar comme ce , (3) s ence which f ankly me cen y ‘ a e a writl n nsérib d mog u side in nci nt Irel nd , (4) g, (5) i e t 6 h for , e , h t and tr , 8 t fi men s ( ) ve icl s (7) is ory " poe y ( ) i

a a d a nd t i o. an t . A c tion , (9) we pons orn men s his ng M ia di re 1 iles n , pe g e,

N a : Fail is a a Silv erh In it u du identic l with Nu du and, as can , be proved from an other text . 1 10 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

Alfred Nutt was mistaken in supposing that he had s a as Ti ernm as found something peci l in the c e of g . He merely found a typical fragment of the primitive Irish a s r s a r a cosmogony th t u vived in peci l ci cumst nces . The effect of the combined introduction of Christi anit y and Clas sical lore into Ireland was the effect of a deluge that swept over the O ld ground of n ational tradition and ar a a s a r belief , cle ed w y mo t of the st nding structu es , a a a and as a left few in position but b dly sh ken , w hed lot of fragments away from their old Sites leaving them stranded in shallows and nooks where they did not

ori ginally belong . The C ashel pedigree holds a clu ster s ra s Ti ernm as s r of the e f gment . The g to y holds one . e arthol n r s a r s r Th P o sto y hold nothe clu te . R esearch r s s r is sure to find plenty mo e . But we mu t ob e ve this a a s r a s a s a c ution , th t mo t of the emn nt h ve been di pl ced and r a r a s by the flood escued by mediev l histo i n , who a a s r set them up in such pl ces s they deemed be t . The e fore the present chronology and relative position of any ra m a r f gment y be quite deceptive . If Dublin we e to r r a r r r be ove whelmed like He cul neum , the futu e explo e would find several ogham pill ar-stones among the remains of Trinity College We owe ou r knowledge of most of the extant frag ments to a great synthetic movement that set in when the New Le arning of the Christian propaganda had lost r n a and s a SO a its fo eig spect become dome tic ted , th t the old native learnl ng was no longer unruly in the and a n r ra ar an was sight of God , inth centu y g mm i puzzled to explain why it had ever been so accounted .

- s ri an e an arra and a The poet hi to b g to collect , nge , d te (in a purely ecclesiastical chronology and in relation to

1 12 SH O R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

a a Arranm ore a ar a o and Eogh n cht of , few ye s g , my

A n ara r had s fam ily with me . Con em hooke ju t dis

r ar r and rr ask cha ged its c go of tu f , it occu ed to me to r the bo atman to give the child en a sail . We put out r a r s r so a a was a unde b i k b eeze , th t the lee gunw le lmost d a r n a was a a an ou r a . aw sh , the we the gu w le bove he ds About a mile out I told one of my boys to get up and look over the gunwale to see how the places they knew r sea As s as hore looked f om the . one of them put hi ea a al r a raw h d bove the gunw e , the b eeze c ught his st hat and s n n l , sent it pinni g down the wi d ti l it knifed a a ar r a a a r into the w ves qu te of mile w y . The skippe t and r r a r ai a . s looked me utte ed neve wo d I s d to my elf , it would be too much trouble to go tacking about in that r z find a a r s ra hat so s a b ee e till we could b tte ed t w , I id ’ a a n r a a Go ahe d nd do t mind it . The Skippe went he d a d ai son a r w lad s ar an n s d nothing , but his , g o n , di c ded

a az and r ar : Deir siad nach nxious g e , let go the em k r e sa mbeadh se cea t Th y y it would not be right . a t f Ma a a ha or a sea r . n nnan w nted th t , no doubt u chin

M N C FO O R IANS A D P I R R O L .

ri a s a a Page 45 . The Fomo n seem to h ve inh bited r r r r a the count y f om the fi st R ight . The Fomo i ns

r ra r a r r neve mig ted to I el nd , but eve y colony f om

’ P artholon s people to the Gaels had to encounter and in r an and ri a s r a a fight them I el d , the Fomo n we e lw ys in ar r r as r rs . invade . They dwelt the d k no the n se Tige

a in a a 1 08 ar r his n ch , the nn l of 4 , the fifth ye befo e

a r r s had s r lan a de th , eco d how they vi ited I e d in th t ar and had s n wi a s s sa ye mitte it th pe tilence , thi , he ys a r ea a ar a w Ev e to h ving been ev led in th t ye , on H llo , NO TES 1 1 3

one ll a Lu han A on hus and a Lu ha Gi g , by the god g Gill g n afterwards saw a legion of the invaders drawn up on the ’ hi Mulla hm ast r Du nl ain s son is r ll of g , whe e g bu ied . ’ n ara r as i facing Niall s s o in T . They we e h gh as the a and r r clouds of he ven , f om the mouth of eve y one of r a r a a n r and them the e c me fo th fl mi g swo d , in what

ir e r r a r s a t so ve they b e thed , the e the pe tilence took hold ar s ra of the country ound . Thi is the contempo ry record as a C r r Clonm acnois r by an ecclesi tic l h onicle in . Tige a s a r a r the n ch does not y Fomo i ns , but demons f om r ea om islands of the Northe n S . Since the F orians were al a are r a w ys on the spot , we confi med in the view th t ’ s they were the foreigners god . The domestic gods of a a l r ra t the G el , like the G el themse ves , we e immig n s .

o or r all the But in the l st b oken cosmogony , gods , s and r r ar a for r dome tic fo eign , we e ne kin , eve y cos

mo on ar a . E a a the g y begins with one p ent ge l th , ( l a a r r a or r Fomori n f the of B ess , me ns science mo e ” ” N - precisely art or culture . i h ealadha dhu it e ’ is the contemporary phrase for cela n est pas ton ’ f artes V r a r to mé tier , in the sense o in i gil s post ophe Imperial R ome

Hae erunt ar acis u e irn onere m odurn tibi tes , p q p , ar r sub ectis et ar su erbos p ce e j , debell e p

h are ar r a a r al T ese the ts of empi e , to m ke spi itu r and al a s r r and r dese t c l it pe ce , to fo te subse viency , c ush

r b r . a in out the Spi it of li e ty Ogm , of the was ri a a a v entor a E . of ogh ms , the son of the Fomo n l th There is a double current of tradition about the Fir a ra a r and one Bolg , t dition th t holds them in honou 1 14 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY

rad that holds them in contempt . One t ition stands for a a r for a the n tion l , the othe the scendency outlook . For Fir r a r a and w r the Bolg em ined in I el nd , e e the

a ar al s r r r plebei ns of e ly mediev hi to y . The sto y of thei expul sion and their enslavement in Greece is a late a r r s a a development . I h ve the olde sto y which ys th t r a r ra r ar they got thei n me f om t ding in I ish e th , which t r ag a r r r hey expo ted in b s to the e ste n wo ld , whe e the orientals used to spread it on the ground around their

as a r a a s r s cities , p otection g in t venomous eptile .

a ara r r l and r r P ge 46 . The ch cte of se vi ity infe io ity has a a —es r lw ys clung to them , y , but not th oughout . F r a was F r Dom nann and r e Di d of the e , in the Ulste l ia are ra ra Ga ns . cycle the the b vest of the b ve Fionn , r l a a and ar a r . s Oisin , Osc we e of G i n ce Thi does not ’ a a r Fo r necess rily displ ce M . Pim s view . r the Fi Bolg r an s r a al r we e hi to ic l people , not mythic . They we e in a r s arr a r Irel nd befo e the Celt ived . They h d the efore no place in the cosmogony that the Celts brought with r a a a r a ar a them to I el nd . I h ve l e dy gued th t the r a had a a and are a as Fomo i ns pl ce in it , best expl ined r r ra a a a n a impo ts , with thei geog phic l pl ce m i t ined in a tive s n a N r r ea rela S . the s me po itio , bout the o the n ss s r a s s Doubtle , beside the Fomo i n , the co mogony con tained an a art - rs r r s ncient folk of dull e h dwelle , ep e enting

or . r n r r Mid E r as eflecti g the no the n peoples of u ope , v tly r r s in u r and a n infe io to the Celt c ltu e civiliz tio . When the Celts came to Ireland they would n aturally transfer in a confused way their continental tradition to their ris r and not I h expe ience , if they did succeed in quite r a a a fitting the two togethe , is not th t ex ctly wh t we Should expect to find " The pre-Celtic Irish of the

1 16 SHO R T HISTO R Y O F CELTIC PHILO SO PHY an r s ra r ar as r cient I i h t dition must be eg ded pu ely Celtic , ha an r s a but t t , like y othe living body , it mu t h ve been ” r modified by envi onment .

I have a transcript of the Gene alogy of the Fom or r Leean am s ians f om the Book of . The n e of their a r are r r s and n s r r a ncesto s ve y cu iou , poi t to e ote ic t e t

a s n is r Philistines l ment . The ultim te de ce t f om the

r are r ss son E a a a r The pedig ees those of B e of l th , B lo

ra Net a war- I ndech Mor son g ndson of ( god) , of the god

Domnanns or ss na Tu iri of the ( of the godde Dom ) , ’ s Lu h s a r r son Trescadal (whose sons lew g f the ) , T en of ,

iscen a and Eochaid R i bu ide - arm Lo n . Lu th , g (yellow )

A LEAR NED MYTH .

a A r V ri P ge 55 . cco ding to my iew of the p mitive

‘ ra r r ra re- a and t dition , the e we e only two ces , p G elic

a s an are a arn T . . . D D . G elic The Mile i s le ed myth The .

’ a an r a a were the tradition l cesto s of the G els . P rtholon s people represent (1) some element in the old continental s 2 r ar as a s r s ra co mogony , ( ) the Picts , eg ded upp e sed ce r a in I el nd . R K THE AME A WO S BY S UTHOR .

THE M A N WI TH THI R TY LI VE S .

P all M all Gazette s ays The author contrives to r u inte est us h gely .

The World s ays The story holds from the first chapter to the last and m akes a piece of capital and a s r n r a n b o bi g e di g .

B elfast Evening Telegraph says A n author who bids a r r s ra a f i to i e pidly to f me .

THE P E I M I T SS S .

The M onth s ays It is a book which is the product of r n n and s m a a d p ofou d thinki g , it elf de nds , n challenges thought A book which many i an r a people w ll w t to e d twice .

M orning P ost s ays Extraordinary ability and char a r cte .

I rish R osary s ays Courage is written all over The P essimist n s r a s i de c ib bly felicitou .

P all M all Gazette a s E ra r ar ra s y xt o din y cou ge .

UNK WN M NO I M OR TALS .

I rish I ndependent s ays He clothes the rags and bones of commonplace in the glowing garments of a r a and a s s ich f ncy plendid vi ion . This book a Mr r pl ces . Pim in the f ont rank of modern r s r r I i h w ite s .

The Globe a r r s ys Ve y cleve .

Daily Graphic s ays We begin to appreci ate the fantas tic genius of the author and his wonder ” n r a ful insight i to the un eve led . Y M a ar B r et E . D bb I A LA . V L L GE P S y g o s .

Dem 8vo. 1 20 about. y , pp,

These plays were writt en by th e au thor for an d were a ct e d by the people o f he r o wn village an d are withi n the c apacit y e o f an y similar c o m m u nity . Th y are a contribu tion t o

s imple n ative d ram a .

" T O H O LD A S TWE RE : A B o ok o f h l n i . e P u ket ar c atu re s B M rs . os t C y j p .

C own to 8 . 2 6 net r 4 3 pp [ .

H er eli t u oint e en u it e B eerbohm es u e at d gh f lly p d p , q q tim e s an d h er sen se o f u m o u r is t u rne o n all s a es an d , h , d h d T n n M . a ra es of eo e . h e c art oo s i c u e T . H e E ar g d p pl l d ly , dw d

arson La re o r are Fi is E . de V a era E ar C , dy G g y, D ll gg , l , dw d M arti n R ic ar art on R ec o r er o f u in Sir ar es , h d B , d D bl , Ch l am eron o u ntess M ar ie ic z ose e in o n C , C k w , J ph D vl , J h ‘ M Co rmic k e o r e M o o re Sir H o r a ce P u n ett A rt u r , G g , l k , h

Wm n . Grifli th am es St e en s Sir . O r e , J ph , p f A lau gh on eac h p age or e v eryone .

I rish Translation of K R O P O T K I N S F M FI L A ND FA T I A S C . R S , E D O R E S

T l 11am 0 R m n . I n re ara rans ated by ( p p tion . )

i s is a st an ar o r o n c o - o eratio n s m a a rmi n Th d d w k p , ll f g , an d wo r kshop s in E u ro p e gen erally an d t here is no thi ng o f

the kin d pu bli shed in I rish .

T M S T N A L W . E P E , D U D K .

T H E D UNDA LGA N S S N A L P RE , D U D K .

T S SAYS O F T M A S A I H E E H O D V S ,

i io n Edited b l D n nar d t . ate C e te y E y . ’ 8 hue rown 8 v0 . 0 ill no C . . n D o . e O g 4 pp 3 4/ t .

’ These Lit erar y an d Hi st o ric al Es says ar e o n e of I relan d s erit a es a n d thi s is th e st an ar e ition e it e it h g d d d , d d w h

p ain st a king c are . Ever y e s sa y w as collat ed with th e o ri i na a n d art s o mitt e in re iou s e ition s res to re g l , p d p v d d , ’ hi e m o re t an 1 0 0 a es in c u in a i s s n o t a e w l h p g , l d g D v bl ir n u r n a e e er e r i m em o o C ra h v n v b fo e been reprin t ed . H s e ssa y on J o hn M it chell a ppears fo r th e first tim e in any r e d t n U se u not e an d i st o f n I ish i io . f l s l s so u rc es a d p re

fat ory m em oir by th e e ditor . Sho u ld be on every I ri sh ’ m an s boo kshelf . T M T A ND T H TA L H E O H E R , O E R E S . A N M H A T H A I R A GU S S GEA LT A I N i i B n P . H . P ear e. E LE ( ew E d t o ) . y s

E ach ne n 11 1 0 0 . t. Crow 8 0 . pp

h ese two o o s the on e th e o ri in a ris o f the au t or T b k , g l I h h ” o f i o A An a n d the o t er a n E n is t ran s atio n r S , h gl h l by R v it z er it a re r e n A . a o o H e a e . F T . g ld , w h f w d by l t n A . n d . rt rait co nt ain the e d m s o ncannon M . a o s s a o t C , , p , b i t t er r r t h c haract er s ic li a y wo k tha p an nin g m ac p mnmr as e s the am e e t rao r in ar s m at it left . H hows s x d y y p hy w h th e vi ew poin ts Of childr en a n d wo m en an d Old m en as in

his ear ier oo bu t h e h as ere a ee er an d ra er o er . l b k , h d p g v p w They are instin ct wit h th e Catho lic m ys ticism which u n der ’ ll t ri T o r lies n early a he au tho r s wo r k in I sh . he bo k s a e t se n ri also very u sefu l o tho stu dyi g I sh .

a THE POEMS OF EI THNE of The N tion .

Collected poems by the late M iss Frances Thompson .

- d a e a r 6 net. o m d e 6 . Dem 8v . han y , p p , 9 pp 4 [

B . f h . m L . t e A co ecti o n e ite . de L S t L o ll , d d by J y h , , po em s o f thi s au thoress who rem aine d anon ym ou s u ntil h r re nt t e ce dea h .

T M T N A L . w . S U E P E , D D K D NDA L A N D ND L H E G SS A . T U P RE , U K

N A L A B T O F I I S SA I NT A P H E R H S , “ ” Vers es in I rish b Torna R h m es in En lish b y , y g y

Charlotte Dease Nineteen u ll a e illustrations b , f p g , y

e I odu o n I r sh Dr D u l Lu cas R oon ntr cti ns i i b . o as y , y g in E lish b ir H e lin h m a t an n B l a B r . H de d S . y g y g , ni Head and tail pieces by j en e Fitzharris .

t. . 1 Crown 4to 48 pp. / ne

A n ris ift oo for c i ren s u it a e fo r ai n tin . I h G B k h ld , bl p g nt f r n A n idea l pres e o a y child . A B O F C A I C A T O O K R U R E S ,

’

o . P ic ure ove et. b V L. O onnor . rown t t n C C C r . y . 4 V er y c lever fu ll - page c art o on s of fo ll owi n g well - known m — A n n A . . r en ris m e a d o en Lo r s ou rn e M rs . S e e I h w d hb , G , ’ li n m P D E in M cN eill ir H . e a a rai al P ro . o S O ai h f , B l gh , d g g . ” k i e D r M af r e r i D r . . M . Sta r . a eo i m n am , h fy, G g B gh , J ” Sar a A o o A n Seabh ach Ste en ar rett ou nt llg d , , ph B , C

P . e . e n t A . M m P u et ra s F . i r Fion an aCCO lu l k , G v , J B gg , ,

ic Fit z er a Wm . O r en G . B S . it ett er ress D k g ld , p , , w h l p n Th e de en d a s M n t rim m i gs . I n p ent s y o st artistic a d r r m an s i an d o t e e u m o ro u s . is o o t as r h I h w k h p g d , v y Th e i m T cre it a e . I ris h T es s a s h e r a in s are d bl y d w g , ll o f m tt e er a t e i and C . h , w y l v E N A K A ND R GUID TO DU D L DIST ICT , including the northern half of Coun ty Louth and part of

m a o u A r . . Tem st r n 0 n B H . G e C w 8v 1 2 Co ty gh y p . . 5 pp.

l s ration and M s . e o t I lu t s a S c nd Edi ion revised . p , Co n t ai ns an im m en se am ou nt o f in t erestin g inform ation

hi storica t o o ra hi c a an d io r a hi c a . I t h as een l , p g p l b g p l b writt en a s an I rish Gui d e t o an I rish district an d n o t the ’ u su al t ou rist s st ereot yped c at alo gu e .

’ A R R A R MA Edited b STU T S HISTO Y OF GH , y o e olem n R ev . A mbr s C a , O . P .

t . o to 8 . clo 1 0 6 net Cr wn . h 4 4o pp , / T h e stan ar e ition t is fam ou s r d d d Of h wo k . M N A L . T T S U . W E P E , D D K T H E DU NDA LGA N R SS N A L P E , D U D K .

EM E ’ ANN A AND T P ST S U L DIR ECTOR Y .

- m o 0 0 . llu r I st ate . De 8v . 1 0 1 d 1 t y 3 pp ne .

T is e ar o o n ow in its th annu a e ition c o n tains h y b k , so l d , L t n r articles Of I rish a n d CO . o u h i t e est o f a n an tiqu arian an d en era n at u re o ca n otes on th e a st ear m on t c a en ar g l , l l p y , hly l d

a irector CO . Lo u t an d s u rr o u n in t o n s a n d of d y Of h d g w . n in u n a a n d e era orm ation . I t is u i u st rate . D d lk, g l f f lly ll d

AR CHZEO LO I AL R NA . C CO LOUTH G JOU L . t A n l ed b ose h T Dolan M . a u ished Edi . d b y j p , . , p annu ally for the Cou nty Louth A rchwological S ociety t rown o 6 et. C 4 . 3 / n

O ne Of the best m aga z ines devot e d t o th e s t u dy o f pas t hi sto r m an n ers c u st om s an d r em ain s re an it y, , , Of I l d , w h

. T r e special r eferenc e t o C0 Lo u th . he ve y varied su bj ct s are t reat e d by th e s everal au thors in a w ay that all c an u n der t n e m t rat e in e ri i rar s a . u s . S ou e d th Ill d h ld b ev ry I sh l b y . M em bershi p of th e So ciet y at a ver y n o min al s u bsc ription m m a en P u i e e o rna ree . a inclu d s th e J u l f N es y be s t t o bl sh r .

DR UI DEAN THE M and r a s YSTIC othe t le , , by

e b . in il us rat d E . Corr M ad e I rw l t . g , y j

i 1 n t st Bindin e . n 1 o . A i Crow 6m . r c t 94pp g,

n f i t t t n c i This is j u st the thi g or a l t le gif o a I rish h ld . They are I rish Fairy Sto ries an d the s tyle an d for m at is that T ere are m an i u s Of th e popu lar B u n n y books . h y ll r ti on s t a .

’ R E R EM N EN E r B TT S I ISC C S OF LOUTH , f om

1 801 1 6 R e rint. to 83 . p d ne . t ro n 8vo . C w s6pp. 3

A very int eresti n g reprint o f social an d politic al re i e r ett n 1 8 . s an mini scen ces written by Wm . B i 5 7 G v

intim ate ict u re th e tim es ot o ca l an d en er a . p Of , b h l l y g lly

T M T U N D A L . . S W E P E , D K

T H E DU NDA L GA N S S U N A L PRE , D D K .

’ m a r o e e n a n c s o t u i s s ee t c e i s g a t e . Collected and edited with vocabu lary and notes by peapgu r

Dem 8vo. 6 . 01 . d ma c R , ne 3 y 7pp 9 t. A choice collection o f Do ne gal sto ries take n down from ris s ea ers it a c ritica an a sis o f th e ia ect I h p k , w h l ly d l , by - - a e no n ae i c riter . I n co n stant u se a s a t e t oo w ll k w G l w x b k .

ma nna nai n t a r A O a e - , o m e r Le n An

- n em b Li am . 0 th a n . a mf mr , y p

8 . P a er Cover 8vo. 2 ro n 6 , C w pp p , d net.

I I R SH READERS . T H E C U C H U LA I N N S E R I E S O F REA DERS PI CTURE CHA RTS AND TEACHER S GUI DE : — These well known and extremely widely-used class books have been before the public for some time and are the most p opu lar and m ost widely praised k r books 0f their ind. The pu blishe has received hundreds of quite u nsolicited expressions of praise are n r r s in of them . They e ti ely I i h design and a r manuf ctu e . K A ER . f r THE R E . o rd th D S BOO S I II III 3 , 4 h AN AR in Na n a S and st ST D DS tio l chools . These boo ks pro vide a s ystem fo r bo th teachers and pu pils by whi ch th e Direct M etho d u tilises to the fu ll the few o u rs e o te to the t ea chi n f ris re is re u h d v d g o I h . The g la r ro ression s u re o u n atio n an d th e teac er h as a rea p g , f d h lly f ti e c u r se m a ed o u t i e th e u i n e fec v o j pp “ wh l p p ls u n dersta d eac t in as it c o m es c an u se all t e ea rn and are not h h g , h y l T M S T N A L U . W . E P E , D D K NDA L A N P S S U N A L D G . T H E U RE , D D K

E ac esson h as a e nit e aim or oa an d c o nfu sed . h l d fi g l what rea e arnt is o en in to th e t eac in o f the ne t is al dy l w v h g x . Th e res u lt s ar e su rp risin g to thos e who have n ever s een real

M o dh Direach at work . They are issu e d in both Ulster and Connau ght E ditions a Sou t ern E itio n is in c o u r se of re arati an d h d p p on . If the pron u nciation in th e dist rict diffe rs fro m that gi v en l th e t eac her sho u ld t eac h t h e lo ca u sage .

’ Book I for III Standard or I st y ear s course as an

ra s c 6 . d . net ext ubje t (s pp ) 4 .

’ Book II for I V Standard o r 2nd year s course as

an ra s 2 . d n ext ubject (7 pp ) 5 . et.

’ for V a ar or rd ar r w Book III St nd d 3 ye s cou se , ith

s r s 1 1 . d. e . two poem , exe ci es ( 4pp ) 7 n t

These prices are those n ecessit at e d by th e great increase in co st u rin th e war an d i be re u ce if a nd as so on a d g w ll d d , s these decline .

T H E R E A R I I I P I C T U C H T S I , I I , . A n O f r ar a ra u ique set pictu e ch ts , in most tt ctive r t a &c ffi r r colou ing of objec s , ctions , di cult to ep esent r otherwise in a clas s oom .

They hav e been specially designed to work with the R ea ers an d eac c art ein com ose of a n u m er of d , h h b g p d b

se ara t e a es t e S o the ects &c . ain attract p p g , h y h w Obj , , pl ly , iv el and iso ate ro m o t er istractin i eas n ot y l d f h d g d , as in n the Old co nfused wall charts . Those thi gs m ore easily explai n e d by act u al Obj ects in a clas s-ro om have been omi tt ed and those represented are what we are all familiar r n with a ou d u s .

The a es are 2 1 ins . 1 1 ins . the ictu res a re o p g by , p b ld o u ine the co ou rin ri t bu t not au or u nn at ura tl , l g b gh g dy l and they an d th e lett erin g can be easily seen by a la rge Th attenti on o f t h e earn er is fix e Class . e l d on one idea o r contrast the hu m ou r in m an v of the ictu res e , p h lps to

M S N A . T T L W E P E , D U D K . TH DA LGAN SS UN A D N . E U PRE , D D LK

the atten tion and the u i oes n ot e au st hi s in terest fix , p p l d xh minu t es as it the ar e o ne - s eet in the rst fiv e c ar ts . fi , w h l g h h e c ont ain over 2 1 8 s e arate c o o u re ict u res a s et Th y p l d p , E er ictu re h of n u m erals and of colou rs . v y p as it s I ri sh m eanin g in bold type . — a I N u ns O s 82 r s . Ch rt . o ( bject ) pictu e — A s a r s 8 r . Chart II . djective ( tt ibute ) 9 pictu es

- s 8 r s V r s a . Chart III . e b ( ction ) 3 pictu e et or er ar ri 1 er s . P ce 3 p , 5 p ch t

A E R S E to M Direach T H E T E C H G U I D odh .

ve 2 . 1 ne . Crown 8 . 7 pp / t Contains a com plete explan ation an d instru ction in the t eo r an d ractice of M o Direach t eac in of ri s h y p dh h g I h, writt en m ost interestin an d ractic a i in the reasons gly p lly, g v g

or e er t i n it e am es and hi nts . f v y h g, w h x pl

A so etai e instru ctions conc ernin 1 the aim 2 l d l d g ( ) , ( ) m ateria s n ee e m ann er o f t eac i n o f e er ess on in l d d , (3 ) h g v y l R ea der I an d II an d trim A ction Son gs fo r infants with M u sic - n in Staff an d T o nic Sol fa Not atio s .

The oo is in is en sa e t o the ou n t eac er m ost b k d p bl y g h , su es ti e t o the e ert and S ou be rea all who gg v xp , h ld d by u a n a r nd art u se the C chu l in R e de s a Ch s .

ders I LA I . ea I I A N S C O RE R . .

’ M oran n C risto h R . d h e F M . A . a r ei B ames O ll . y j , , p y

ese are an e ce ent an d m ost ractic a ai r o f P rim ers Th x ll p l p , written by two m o st su c cessfu l an d experien ced teachers of s e are s e cia su ite for Leinster an d entral Iri h . Th y p lly d C re an an d t eir c i e aim is the con errin o f the m a im u m I l d , h h f f g x er of e ression it the mini m u m o c a u pow xp w h v b lary . They n u ni rml hav e bee fo y su c cessfu l wherever u se d .

- — r I P ice . ri P a t r 3d P art I I P ce 4d.

M N A L . . T T W E P E S , D U D K