In conclusion, he expresses an opinion that the original copies of the ancient books, such as the Cuilmenn and the Saltair of Tara, were not written in Ogham.

He supposes that the druids or poets, who, it is well known, constantly travelled for educational purposes, brought home an alphabet, probably the Roman then in use.

"It is, at all events, quite certain that the Irish druids had written books before the coming of St.Patrick, in 432; since we find the statement in the Tripartite Life of the saint, as well as in the Annotations of Tirechan, preserved in the Book of Armagh, which were taken by him from the lips and books of his tutor, St.Mochta, who was the pupil and disciple of St.Patrick himself." [Illustration: Ogham stone] [Illustration: SAGRANI FILI CUNOTAMI] We give two illustrations of Ogham writing.

The pillar-stone is from the collection of the Royal Irish Academy.

It is about four and a-half feet high, and averages eleven inches across.