[There is a remarkable notice in the _Calendar_ of Oengus that on April 5 “on the great feast of Beccan MacCula, with a victory of piety excellent Patrick’s baptism was kindled in Ireland” (transl. Stokes, p. lxvii.). This obviously refers to the Slane legend, but the date April 5 must have a different origin, as Easter did not fall on that day in 433. During Patrick’s episcopate it fell only once on April 5, viz., in A.D. 459, whether on the 84 or 84 (12) cycle. The notice therefore suggests that in that year there was a baptismal ceremony which was remembered; and it might be conjectured that it was the occasion of the raid of Coroticus, which probably occurred towards the end of Patrick’s life. See cap. ix. and notes.] P. 104.—High festival at Tara (_Feis Temrach_). The holding of such an assemblage by Loigaire is recorded in _Ann. Ult. s.a._ 454 (cp. _s.a._ 461), and by his successor Ailill Molt, _s.a._ 467 (alternative dates 469, 470). According to the _Book of Rights_ (p. 7), such conventions were held every seventh year; other traditions represent them as triennial (cp. Todd, _St. Patrick_, p. 416). But these notices in the _Annals_ suggest that they were not held at stated periods in the fifth century, but were summoned at the pleasure of the High King for special purposes. This is especially suggested by the notice (_Ann. Ult. s.a._ 461) that Loigaire lived seven years and seven months after the Feast of Tara, as if it were a unique, not a recurring, event in his reign; and the statement is inconsistent with a septennial as well as with a triennial period. The periodic convention contemplated by the _Book of Rights_ was held at Samhain (Nov. 1). P. 105.—The company driving over the plain of Breg might possibly contain a reminiscence of the custom of a _Flurumritt_, as described by Mannhardt, _Der Baumkultus der Germanen und ihrer Nachbarstämme_, 397 _sqq._ In the Archduchy of Austria it was the custom for the sons and servants of the house to ride round the fields at Easter, _vor Sonnenaufgang im schnellsten Laufe_. Other instances of such early processions are cited. The custom of proceeding _ad laevam_ against the sun with malicious intent, seems still to exist near Lough Case in Mayo. There is a pile of stones near the lake “round which stations are made _desiul_ [rightward], except in the case of maliciously disposed persons, who occasionally come on the sly in the dead of night, and go round widdershins in order to raise storms to destroy crops and kill cattle” (Professor Rhŷs, _Proceedings of Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland_, Part iii. vol. viii. 5th series, 1898, p. 233). P. 110.—The _Burg_ in Eiffel district (on first Sunday in Lent): Mannhardt, _Baumkultus_, p. 501. Compare also the practice of the Gallic Druids described by Caesar, _B.G._ vi. 16, and the material collected by Mr. Frazer, _Golden Bough_, iii. 319 _sqq._ P. 111.—Burning of Sandan. Cp. Frazer, _Golden Bough_, iii. 168 _sqq._