"It would, as you must at once see, be quite inconsistent with the plan of these introductory Lectures to enter into details of compositions of this kind; and I shall therefore content myself by placing before you a simple list of them in the chronological order of their authors, and with a very few observations on their character by way of explanation. "The fifth in chronological order is the Rule of St. _Carthach_, who was familiarly called _Mochuda_. He was the founder of the ancient ecclesiastical city of _Raithin_ [near Tullamore, in the present King's County], and of the famous city of _Lis Mór_ [Lismore, in the present county of Waterford]; he died at the latter place on the 14th day of May, in the year 636. "This is a poem of 580 lines, divided into sections, each addressed to a different object or person. The first division consists of eight stanzas or 32 lines, inculcating the love of God and our neighbour, and the strict observance of the commandments of God, which are set out generally both in word and in spirit. The second section consists of nine stanzas, or 36 lines, on the office and duties of a bishop. The third section consists of twenty stanzas, or 80 lines, on the office and duties of the abbot of a church. The fourth section consists of seven stanzas, or 28 lines, on the office and duties of a priest. The fifth section consists of twenty-two stanzas, or 88 lines, minutely describing the office and duties of a father confessor, as well in his general character of an ordinary priest, as in his particular relation to his penitents. The sixth section consists of nineteen stanzas, or 76 lines, on the life and duties of a monk. The seventh section consists of twelve stanzas, or 48 lines, on the life and duties of the _Célidhé Dé_, or Culdees. The eighth section consists of thirty stanzas, or 120 lines, on the rule and order of the refectory, prayers, ablutions, vespers, and the feasts and fasts of the year. The ninth and last section consists of nineteen stanzas, or 76 lines, on the duties of the kingly office, and the evil consequences that result to king and people from their neglect or unfaithful discharge". Among the manuscripts of Professor O'Curry in the Catholic University, there are two lives of the holy author of this rule. One of these lives is in Irish; the other a translation from the Irish. We publish to-day about one-half of the "Rule", the remainder, with any notes deemed necessary for its elucidation, shall appear in our next number.] _"Incipit the Regulum (sic) of (St.) Mochuda, Preaching the Commandments to Every Person"._ 1. This is the way to come to the kingdom of the Lord, Jesus, the all-powerful! That God be loved by every soul, Both in heart and in deed.