The only explanation of the astonishing number of ancient place names found in Ireland, as compared with England, seems to be the dense rural population that must have existed in the former country in ancient times. That an enormous percentage of ancient place names have totally faded away owing to the disuse of the Gaelic language, the consolidation of farms, and the decline of population, there cannot be any doubt at all. The puzzle about Irish place names is, if their extraordinary numbers were caused by a more dense population in Ireland than in England--why was Ireland more densely peopled than England in ancient times? The soil of Ireland is hardly more fertile than the soil of England, and the climate of Ireland is not as good, for it is much wetter than that of the larger island. England is nearer to the Continent, and therefore was more easy of access to continental traders. The situation as well as the soil and climate of England were rather more favourable to the growth of a large population than were those of Ireland. It is now generally conceded that the ancient Britons and Irish were of the same race, and spoke a language that was substantially the same. But why should there seem to have been such a difference in the political and social condition of the Irish and the ancient Britons who were their contemporaries? Why are there so comparatively few ancient place names in Great Britain and such an overwhelming number of them in Ireland? Why should Ireland have a history that goes so far back into the dim twilight of the past, and England have no history beyond the time of Cæsar? These are most interesting and important questions, but how can they be answered? It is to be hoped that some future savant will succeed in solving them. THE END. PRINTED BY TURNBULL AND SPEARS, EDINBURGH FOOTNOTES: [1] "History of England," vol. iii., p. 107. [2] Is iat Tuata De Danaan tucsat leo in Fál mór; i. in lia fis _bai_ i Temraig; di atá Mag Fail for Erinn. In ti fo ngéised saide bari Erenn. "Book of Leinster," page 9. [3] Eemoing ni hed fota acht Crist do genemain; is sed ro bris cumachta nan idal. "Book of Leinster," p. 9. [4] Is dar timna in Duleman, is dar brethir Crist chaingnig Do cech rig do Gaedelaib do beir ammus for Laignib. "Book of Leinster," p. 43. [5] In Carsewell's Gaelic, _Giollaeasbuig van duibhne_. The _v_ stands for _u_; the spelling was intended to represent _Ua n Duibhne_. _Ua_ and _O_ mean the same thing, grandson. The _n_ before Duibhne would not now be used. [6] This poem is in the "Book of Leinster," and has not yet been translated. [7] The eastern part of Ulster. [8] Duvdaire was Muircheartach's wife. She was daughter of the King or Chief of Ossory. Rushes in those days served as carpets, as they did in England. [9] A poetic name for Muircheartach, for his patrimony was on the shores of Loch Foyle.