ST. PATRICK 
above stated. The Romans, Celts, and Germans 
have so commingled with each other on the con- 
tinent of Europe and in Great Britain, that it is 
almost impossible to say what is peculiar to each 
and what borrowed. The fully developed judicial, 
fiscal, and administrative systems of the Romans 
have, as might have been expected, deeply modified 
the political and social organization of the Gauls, 
Britons, and Germans. The only branch of the 
Celtic race not directly in contact with this highly 
developed political organization was the Irish. That 
Ireland was not entirely unaffected by Roman civili- 
zation, and even by the earlier civilization of other 
Mediterranean nations in pre-Christian times, is 
undoubtedly true. But that influence was not such 
as could deeoly modify the laws or customs of the 
people; and hence in them we ought to find a pre- 
cious mine of information regarding the political and 
social organization of Europe before the rise of 
the Roman power. Fortunately we possess in the 
remains of the Irish language, poetry, laws, etc. 
such a mine, and in greater fullness, too, than is 
found in other branches of the Aryan race, except 
the Sanskrit, Greek and Latin.” 
In a word the Irish because of their independence 
politically especially as regards the Roman empire 
and their sufficiency for themselves and originality 
in literature, art and law, as the remains that have 
come down to us attest, deserve a place beside the 
three great races of ancient times. The preserva- 
tion of all that is best among the old Irish is due 
more to St. Patrick than to anyone else. This is 
189